The Internet revolution has made drastic changes in every walk of life. Communication via email has led to real-time video conferencing, which will lead to the next big development down the road.
Now, tapping into the growing popularity of online CAD solutions, Autodesk Labs has introduced Project Draw, a web-based vector drawing application catering to the needs of designers, architects, and various other industry professionals. In this article, I’ll focus on the basics of Project Draw and its benefits to the CAD industry.
Before we begin, I recommend that you first visit Autodesk Labs to download/open the Project Draw Technology Tool, Alternatively I suggest you to open the tool online.
Note: It’s essential to have a broadband Internet connection to avoid delay when creating objects for a project..
Figure 1, below, shows the initial setup when you open the Project Draw 0.5.2. Online.
Figure 1: Project Draw
This tool can be divided into three major parts: standard tool bar, project menu bar, and properties tool bar.
Standard Tool Bar
This consists of a File Menu, which has the general options such as New, Open, Export, Save, Save as and Upload Images. The other options available are basic editing tools such as cut, copy, paste, and delete. Other tools of interest are Fill Color, Line Color, Line width, and Line type. Different fonts are available to write text in the drawing area; fonts range in size from 10x to 48x. Zoom In and Out options are made available to ensure perfect viewing capabilities.
Project Menu Bar
The project menu bar consists of 11 varieties, described below.
- Basic Shapes
- Flow Charts
- Callouts/Arrows
- Network Shapes
- Windows UI
- Mac UI
- Floor Layout
- Office Layout
- Kitchen and Bath
- Furniture
- Electronics
Basic Shape: The Basic Shape is used to create simple 2D objects such as Rectangle, Round Rectangle, Ellipse, Triangle, Right Triangle, Parallelogram, Pentagon, Hexagon, Trapezium and cross. However the flexibility in using these tools goes in conjunction with the other tools.
Flow charts: As the name implies, this tool is used to create a flow chart. I have created a simple flow chart using the Project Draw for your reference. I have tried to explain the 2D to 3D conversion technology using the flow chart, basic shapes options, and callouts/arrows.
Figure 2: Flow chart created using Project Draw
Callouts/Arrows: The callouts and arrows are generally used to support the flow chart in defining the direction. However, the callouts can be used to explain a particular concept. A list of different types of callouts/Arrows are shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Different Callouts and Arrows
Network Shapes: This option can be used to define the layout of computers at your office or develop an idea for structuring a new office and the location of its computers. The list of options available are Server, PC, Firewall, Laptop, Monitor, Hand Held Device, Printer, Wireless access point, Router, Wireless Router, Bridge, Hub, Wireless Hub, User, Cloud, Communication Link, Mail Server and Main Frame. The figure below shows how you can explain the concept of e learning at a University.
Figure 4: Concept of e-learning technology explained using Project Draw
Windows UI: This helps in defining the basic shape and design of Windows components. Some of the options available in this are Form, Menu bar, Panel bar, Combo button, Tab Button, Classic Radio and check button followed by minimize, resize, and close button. The form shown below was prepared using Project Draw.
Figure 5: Form prepared with Project Draw
Mac UI: This provides a similar option as that of Windows UI, the options available in this type are shown in Figure 6.
Figure 06: Options available in Mac UI
Floor Layouts: This helps in defining the room layout by using the various options available in it. Some of the options available are Room – Rectangle, T shaped, L Shaped Walls, Doors, Uneven double door, Space, Elevator, Staircase – normal, bi-level and Spiral.
Figure 7: Floor Plan
Office Layouts: This clearly explains that different types of layouts can be created for any given office plan. The different options available are different types of Desk, Chair, Monitor, Printer, Copier, Sofa, High Stool, Plant, Table Lamp, Phone, Projector, and Paper Tray. A simple layout is created for an AutoCAD drafting department.
Figure 8: AutoCAD drafting department
Kitchen and Bath: Clearly, this option is used to create a kitchen or bath layout. Some of the options available are Sink, Bath Tub, Shower, Toilet, Refrigerator, Cabinets, Microwave, and Range with Grill. Some of the shapes are shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Kitchen models
Furniture Models: This helps in adding objects such as Double Bed, Single Bed, Lamp, Table, Sofa, Chair, Arm Chair, High Stool, and Table Lamp. These tools can be added to any room. A few models are shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10: Furniture models
Electronics: This helps in defining simple symbols while preparing a wiring drawing. Some of the tools available in this are Wire Join, Wire Cross, NOT, AND, NAND, NOR, EX OR, EX- NOR, Ground, Cell, Battery, DC Supply, AC Supply, Fuse, Resistor, Variable Resistor, Capacitor, Diode, Transistor, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Galvanometer and many more.
Saving Models: The saving models function is similar to any other software. Click on file and select save or save as. However, you need to create a user name and password to work with Project Draw 0.6 software.
Figure 11
Note: Before you start working with the tool, I recommend that you login to Project Draw with your user name and password. This ensures that models will be saved in your user account.
Figure 12
Note: Once you save a model, you can view it by selecting the My Saved Files. You will be provided with a list of files created and saved by you as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13: Saved file list
Note: You need to understand the types of options available in Properties tab as shown below in Figure 14 before starting to draw any object.
Figure 14: Properties
Well, those are the basics. If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them in the AUGI forums. To those of you attending Autodesk University 2007, I will be there proudly representing my country, India. I hope to meet you!
(Discuss this Article! in the HotNews Discussion Forums.)
Sunith Babu, President of the AutoCAD Local User Group Bangalore and one of the Board of Director for AUGI India Chapter, Sunith currently works for
M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) www.msrit.edu, a leading Autonomous Educational Institution at Bangalore, Karnataka. He has conducted numerous training programs related to CAD/CAM/CAE and Autodesk products since 2003 to both staff and students from various colleges across India and regularly conducts ATP (AUGI Training Program) for students, staff, and working professionals at www.augi.com. He is an active and supportive member of AUGI and is currently working on projects related to Autodesk Inventor. He is a member of Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) and can be contacted at sunith.babu@augi.com
