Table Of ContentAutoCAD for Theatrical Drafting
AutoCAD for Theatrical Drafting provides an introduction to the software AutoCAD, specifically focus-
ing on how to navigate the commands most commonly used when creating design, construction
and installation drafting plates for theatrical use.
Beginning with a step-by-step tutorial of how to download the program and a review of theatrical
drafting standards, the text details commands used in 2D drafting and 3D modeling and how to
create theatrical drafting plates using AutoCAD that meet those drafting standards. It also provides
guidance on how to transition from 2D drafting to 3D modeling, how to use 3D models to create
camera views and animations and how to use 3D models for production and engineering purposes.
Intended as a resource for the beginning and intermediate AutoCAD user, AutoCAD for Theatrical
Drafting provides easy-to-follow instructions that readers can refer to while using the AutoCAD
software.
John Keisling is the Faculty Technical Director for the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and
Dance at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He earned an MFA in Technical Production
from Florida State University. Prior to beginning his career as an educator, John worked as a Carpen-
ter for regional theatres and as a Mechanical Designer for a scenic production company.
AutoCAD for Theatrical Drafting
A Resource for Designers and Technical Directors
John Keisling
First published 2021
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2021 Taylor & Francis
The right of John Keisling to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent
to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Keisling, John, author.
Title: AutoCAD for theatrical drafting : a resource for designers and
technical directors / John Keisling.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2021. | Includes bibliographical
references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020047329 (print) | LCCN 2020047330 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781138578449 (hardback) | ISBN 9781138577763 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781351264365 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: AutoCAD. | Theaters–Stage-setting and scenery–Design and
construction–Computer programs. | Carpentry drafting–Computer
programs.
Classification: LCC PN2091.S8 K37 2021 (print) | LCC PN2091.S8 (ebook) |
DDC 620/.00420285536–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047329
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020047330
ISBN: 978-1-138-57844-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-57776-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-351-26436-5 (ebk)
Typeset in Myriad Pro
by KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd.
Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Introduction vii
1. Downloading AutoCAD® 1
2. A Review of Theatrical Drafting Practices 8
3. Exploring Model Space 14
4. Drafting 2D Shapes 30
5. Modifying 2D Shapes 41
6. Layer and Property Managers 53
7. Blocks and Block Editing 61
8. Creating Title Blocks and Reference Lines 67
9. A Brief Introduction to Dynamic Blocks 74
10. External References 83
11. Exploring Paper Space 91
12. Dimensions and Notations 100
13. Plotting and Publishing Sheet Layouts 109
14. Exploring 3D Model Space 112
15. 3D Modeling 121
16. Manipulating 3D Objects 128
17. Solid Editing 132
18. Plating 3D Models 143
19. Camera Views and Animation 155
20. AutoCAD for Production and Engineering 161
References 167
Index 168
Acknowledgments
Writing a text book is the one thing that I never thought I would do,
but here I am, with my name on the cover. I would be remiss if I didn’t
acknowledge the people who helped to make this happen.
First and most importantly, I must thank my wife Margaret and the
continued support and encouragement that she provided while I was
writing this text. I could not have done this without you. You are an
amazing wife and an even better mother to our four beautiful children.
I must also acknowledge my editor Lucia, who was always so patient
with me throughout this process. Thank you so much for helping me
get through this process and sticking with it. Thank you also to the
technical editors who made so many great suggestions and the entire
team at Routledge for all of the work in seeing this project through.
Thank you also to Robert Coleman, Jim Lile and Joshua Wickham,
who convinced me to come to graduate school and each taught me
so much. This book is only possible because of the influence you each
have had in my life.
Thank you also to all of my colleagues and students who have sup-
ported the creation of this text over the past few years. I appreciate all
of the work and dedication each of you show every day.
And finally, a thank you to my mother. You are an inspiration to me
each and every day.
INTRODUCTION
What This Book Is Not
This book is in no way intended to be an all-inclusive book discussing
all of the capabilities and commands available within AutoCAD. This
book is also not intended to be a drafting book. While theatrical draft-
ing practices are discussed within the text, it is recommended that stu-
dents have an understanding of these practices prior to using this text.
In my drafting courses, students complete hand drafting packages
with paper and pencil and then I have them duplicate those drafting
plates within AutoCAD using the commands and processes discussed
in this text.
What This Book Is Intended to Be
The intent of this book is to pare down the commands in AutoCAD
and only discuss how to use those that are most frequently used when
completing drafting for theatrical productions. It is recommended that
users follow along in the AutoCAD program, performing the steps for a
command as they work their way through this text. While this text will
only discuss individual commands, it is recommended that users of this
text will combine many of the commands discussed into projects to
complete drafting packets of objects and assemblies.
A Note about Lighting Design
While this text book does not specifically exclude the drafting of light-
ing designs and light plots, I have found throughout my career that
most lighting designers prefer to use computer-aided design software
other than AutoCAD. As a Technical Director, I also tend to be more
focused on the engineering and construction of scenery. Because of
these two factors, the drafting of lighting instruments and positions
will only be briefly discussed in this text. The majority of the text cover-
ing the drafting of these items is used as an example on how to make
and use dynamic blocks within AutoCAD.
A Note about Images
All images contained within this text are screen shots taken either
directly from the AutoCAD software or contain material created by the
author within the AutoCAD software.
Autodesk screen shots reprinted courtesy of Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, DWG, the DWG logo and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries
and/or affiliates in the United States and other countries.
1
DOWNLOADING AUTOCAD®
The first step in learning to use AutoCAD is to navigate the process of
downloading the software to your computer. When AutoCAD was first
introduced, you would purchase a CD Rom or Floppy Disk and install
the program to your computer. Now the software is downloaded and
installed from the internet. This chapter will cover the different types
of AutoCAD licenses that you can secure, the system requirements
needed for your computer and walk you through the installation pro-
cess all the way to opening the program.
AutoCAD vs. Cad for Mac
It is important to note that AutoCAD is a different program than
CAD for Mac®. AutoCAD can only be run on a Windows® platform, and
CAD for Mac is designed for a MAC/IOS® system. The two programs
function in much the same way, however, CAD for Mac seems to lose
some of the automated processes that help to speed up the draft-
ing process, especially when it comes to laying out and plotting 3D
drafting. CAD for Mac also has a drastically different user interface
and lacks many features that CAD drafters rely on both for 2D and
3D drafting. If you work solely in CAD for Mac, learning to overcome
these differences is fairly simple; however, transitioning between
AutoCAD and CAD for Mac can be quite an undertaking. Since many
Mac computers have the capability of running a Windows platform,
I encourage my students to use the Windows version (AutoCAD) if at
all possible.
AutoCAD Licenses
When you purchase AutoCAD you are actually purchasing a license, or
a subscription, that allows you to use the program until that license
expires. There are several different types of licenses available, and
depending on your situation, one may be more appropriate than the
others.
Perpetual License
Prior to 2016, Autodesk offered customers the ability to purchase a per-
petual license that never needed renewal. The cost of this license was
near $4,000. While it never needed to be renewed, it also did not allow
users to update to a new version of the software without purchasing
a new license. Autodesk has phased out perpetual licensing and now
exclusively offers subscription licenses in their place.
