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123 changes: 123 additions & 0 deletions engineering/autocad-expert/SKILL.md
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---
name: "autocad-expert"
description: "Use when the user asks to create engineering drawings, manage CAD layers, set up dimensions and annotations, work with AutoCAD blocks, configure plot styles, or export DWG/DXF/PDF files."
---

# AutoCAD Expert

## Overview

A comprehensive AutoCAD skill for 2D engineering drafting, layer management, annotation, block creation, and plot-ready output. Covers architectural, mechanical, civil, and electrical disciplines following ASME Y14.5 and ISO 128 standards.

## Core Competencies

### 2D Drafting
- **Geometry Creation**: Lines, polylines, arcs, circles, splines with exact coordinates
- - **Editing Commands**: Trim, extend, offset, fillet, chamfer, array, mirror, stretch
- - **Coordinate Systems**: World vs User Coordinate System; absolute, relative, polar input
- - **Object Snaps**: Endpoint, midpoint, center, intersection, perpendicular, tangent
- - **Precision Drawing**: Ortho, polar tracking, grid snap, object snap tracking

- ### Layer Management
- - **Layer Standards**: Industry naming (A-WALL-CONSTR, M-PIPE-SUPL, E-POWR-LITE)
- - **Layer Properties**: Color, linetype, lineweight, plot style, transparency
- - **Layer States**: Save and restore visibility configs for review sets
- - **Layer Filters**: Property and group filters for large drawings
- - **Audit & Cleanup**: Purge unused layers; enforce with CAD Standards Checker

- ### Dimensioning & Annotation
- - **Dimension Types**: Linear, aligned, angular, radius, diameter, ordinate, baseline
- - **GD&T**: Geometric tolerances per ASME Y14.5 using TOLERANCE command
- - **Annotative Scaling**: Annotative dimensions and text for automatic viewport scaling
- - **Text & Tables**: MTEXT, DTEXT, TABLE; field codes for dynamic values
- - **Leaders**: MLEADER with arrowhead styles; standard callout blocks

- ### Block Library
- - **Static Blocks**: Title blocks, north arrows, section markers, standard symbols
- - **Dynamic Blocks**: Parameters and actions for parametric components (doors, valves)
- - **Block Attributes**: ATTDEF, ATTEDIT, ATTEXT for automated BOMs and schedules
- - **Xrefs**: Attach, overlay, bind, and reload external references

- ### Sheet & Plot Setup
- - **Layouts**: Model space vs paper space; multiple layouts per project
- - **Viewports**: MVIEW, VPCLIP, VPLAYER for per-viewport layer overrides
- - **Plot Styles**: CTB (color-dependent) vs STB (named); lineweight mapping
- - **Publish**: Multi-sheet PDF/DWF export via PUBLISH command

- ## Decision Framework

- | Gate | Question | Action |
- |------|----------|--------|
- | Discipline | Architecture, mechanical, civil, or electrical? | Apply discipline layer standard |
- | Units | Imperial (inches) or metric (mm)? | Set at file creation with UNITS |
- | Output | PDF, DWF, or physical plot? | Define plot style and page setup |
- | Version | Minimum DWG version required? | SAVEAS to compatible format |
- | Scale | Drawing scale for annotation? | Set annotative scale or DIMSCALE |

- ## Command Quick Reference

- | Category | Command | Alias | Purpose |
- |----------|---------|-------|---------|
- | Draw | LINE | L | Create line segments |
- | Draw | POLYLINE | PL | Connected polyline |
- | Draw | CIRCLE | C | Create circle |
- | Edit | TRIM | TR | Trim to boundary |
- | Edit | OFFSET | O | Offset by distance |
- | Edit | ARRAY | AR | Rectangular or polar array |
- | Annotation | DIMLINEAR | DLI | Linear dimension |
- | Annotation | MTEXT | MT | Multiline text |
| Annotation | MLEADER | MLD | Multileader callout |
| Layer | LAYER | LA | Layer Properties Manager |
| Block | BLOCK | B | Define block |

| Block | INSERT | I | Insert block || Block | XREF | XR | External reference manager |
| Plot | PUBLISH | — | Multi-sheet publish |

## Layer Naming Conventions

| Discipline | Prefix | Example | Content |
|-----------|--------|---------|---------|
| Architecture | A- | A-WALL-CONSTR | Construction walls |
| Mechanical | M- | M-PIPE-SUPL | Supply piping |
| Electrical | E- | E-POWR-LITE | Power/lighting |
| Civil | C- | C-ROAD-CNTR | Road centerlines |
| Structural | S- | S-BEAM-WIDE | Wide flange beams |
| General | G- | G-ANNO-DIMS | Dimensions |

## Risk & Troubleshooting

| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---------|-------|----------|
| Objects won't trim | Boundary not co-planar | Check Z elevation; use edge mode |
| Wrong dimension value | Snap to wrong point | Use OSNAP overrides; verify endpoint |
| Plot is blank | Layer frozen or viewport off | Check LAYER visibility; activate viewport |
| Xref not loading | Path broken | XREF RELOAD; verify path and DWG version |
| Hatch invisible | Boundary not closed | Use BOUNDARY to create closed polyline |
| Slow performance | Proxy objects or duplicates | OVERKILL; PURGE unused objects |

## Standard Workflow

```
Standards Setup -> Set units, layers, dim styles, text styles
Template (DWT) -> Save preconfigured template for reuse
Drawing -> Geometry on correct layers with precision
Annotation -> Dimensions, text, symbols at annotative scale
Blocks -> Standard symbols; dynamic components
Layout/Plot -> Viewports, plot style, page setup
Output -> Publish to PDF/DWF or plot to printer
```

## Related Skills

| Combination | Workflow |
|-------------|----------|
| AutoCAD + Revit | DWG underlays for BIM coordination |
| AutoCAD + Civil 3D | Survey and alignment data exchange |
| AutoCAD + Inventor | 2D drawings from 3D parametric model |
| AutoCAD + SolidWorks | DWG/DXF interchange for mechanical |

## Cross-References

- **automotive-embedded** — embedded C/C++ for vehicle systems using CAD-generated schematics
- - **database-designer** — store drawing metadata, revision history, and BOM data
- - **spec-driven-workflow** — drive CAD drawing requirements from specifications
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