ARCH 429 - CAD Programming

Robert J. Krawczyk, College of Architecture

Semester: Spring
Credit: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: Knowledge of 2D and 3D CAD concepts and software; ARCH 225 or 425 and ARCH 426 and either ARCH 427 or ARCH 428, ARCH 428 perferred

Class hours: Thursday 8:45 - 10:15; lab arranged

Required Text: AutoLISP Programming for Productivity, William Kramer Delmar Publishers Inc.

Course Description:

Review programming in CAD systems; programming basics in AutoCAD, extensive creation of 2D and 3D objects, data interrogation, manipulation, and extraction, and 2D and 3D parametric and rule based design. Investigation of form creation based on mathematical relationships and random generation. Review of CAD database procedures for space planning and bill of quantities.

Software used in course: AutoCAD 2D and 3D, optionally 3D Studio MAX; all programming done in AutoCAD AutoLISP.

Evaluation:

Students are evaluated by 31 exercises and 2 multi-part design projects. Work is evaluated according to:

- understanding of basic programming concepts and methods
- understanding of CAD entities and the ability to generate and manipulate
- quality of generated forms and developed rules

Weekly Schedule:

1. CAD Programming Overview

a. Introduction to CAD programming, basic programming concepts.
b. Introduction to AutoLISP.
c. AutoLISP: basic operations, variables, constants, expressions, functions.


(70) 14 exercises

2. AutoLISP basics

a. Input and output functions. Creation of basic graphic objects.
b. List definition and manipulation. Distance and angle functions. Point creation.


(60) 12 exercises

3. AutoLISP basics

a. Decisions and Loops


(40) 8 exercises

4. Form Development

a. Using mathematical functions to generate forms


(40) Complete steps 1 - 8

5. Form Development

a. Using mathematical functions to generate forms


(40) Complete steps 9 - 16

6. Form Development

a. Using mathematical functions to generate forms


(80) Individual form development project

7. CAD Database

a. Review of basic entity records, pick, access, and display


(40) 4 exercises

8. CAD Database

a. Change entity properties


(50) 5 exercises

9. CAD Database

a. Count and accumulate entities


(30) 3 exercises

10. Form Development

a. Using random generation to create and control forms.


(40) Complete steps 1 - 8

11. Form Development

a. Using random generation to create and control forms.


(40) Complete steps 9 - 16

12. Form Development

a. Using random generation to create and control forms.


(80) Individual form development project

13. Final Programming Project

(200) Final programming project

14. Final Programming Project

15. Final Programming Project

Grades: Based on the total points for completed assignments; each assignment has a different number of points:

Grading scale: A 91 - 100% B 81 - 90% C 71 - 80% D 61 - 70% E 0 - 60%

Late assignments: for every class day an assignment is late, 10% will be deducted from that assignment

Attendance for lecture and lab is mandatory; starting with the third absence, 5% of total course grade is deducted for each lecture or lab missed from your total accumulated points

Last update: Monday, September 14, 1998 by Robert J. Krawczyk