How to Insert Symbols in AutoCAD?

Understanding Symbols in AutoCAD

AutoCAD offers a variety of symbols that enhance design clarity and communication in technical drawings. These symbols can be accessed through different methods depending on your preference and the version you’re using.

Finding Symbols in AutoCAD

To access the available symbols:

1. Navigate to the Ribbon panel.
2. Select the View tab.
3. Locate the Palettes panel to launch the symbol palettes.

Alternatively, for quick access, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + 3. You can also explore sample files that are included with AutoCAD for additional symbols.

Inserting a Symbol in AutoCAD 2025

To insert a symbol in AutoCAD 2025:

1. Click on the Insert option found in the Home tab.
2. From the dropdown, select Blocks from the Libraries section.
3. Click the Browse button to open a dialog box where you can select files.
4. Navigate to the DesignCenter folder, which houses a variety of sample drawings, and select a drawing file that suits your needs.

Inserting Special Characters

To include a degree symbol in your text:

1. Ensure you are in the In-Place Text Editor.
2. Utilize the numeric keypad by holding down the Alt key while entering 0176 or 248—this will put the degree symbol into your text.

Typing Special Characters in AutoCAD

Follow these steps to type special characters:

1. Enter the In-Place Text Editor.
2. Right-click and select Symbol from the context menu.
3. On the Text Formatting toolbar, click on Symbol.
4. You can also copy and paste characters from the Character Map.
5. If you’re familiar with control codes, input the appropriate code or Unicode. Remember to prefix Unicode with a backslash ( \ ).

Inserting a Surface Roughness Symbol

To insert a surface roughness symbol:

1. Go to the Annotate tab.
2. In the Symbols panel, choose Surface Texture.
3. Click the desired position in your drawing to place the symbol, pressing ENTER twice to confirm.
4. Set your surface texture specifications in the Symbol tab as needed and choose to place it as the majority symbol.

Where to Find Degree Symbols on a Keyboard

If you need to find the degree symbol on your keyboard, switch to the numeric section, typically labeled as 123, then navigate to the symbols category to locate it.

Using AutoCAD’s Spell Check

To ensure your text is free of spelling errors:

1. Right-click inside the In-Place Text Editor and select Editor Settings.
2. Activate the Check Spelling option.
3. As you type, any misspelled words will be underlined. Right-clicking these will give you spelling suggestions.

Additional Related Symbols in AutoCAD

For specific symbols such as diameter (Ø):

1. Open the In-Place Text Editor and access the Symbol option by right-clicking.
2. You can input the diameter symbol using the Alt code 0216 while holding down the Alt key.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I create my own symbols in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can create custom symbols by drawing them and saving them as blocks for reuse in your drawings.

2. What steps should I follow to use the Character Map effectively?
Open the Character Map application, find the desired character, and simply copy and paste it into your AutoCAD project.

3. Is there a way to quickly access frequently used symbols?
Yes, by using the toolbar or creating a custom palette, you can pin your frequently used symbols for easy access.