Learn AutoCAD with our Free Tutorials
Welcome to CADTutor
CADTutor provides the best free tutorials and articles for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and associated applications along with a friendly community forum. If you need to learn AutoCAD, or you want to be more productive, you're in the right place. See our tip of the day to start learning right now!
Free Tutorials and More…
The Tutorials section provides over 100 original tutorials for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and other design applications. Michael’s Corner is an archive of productivity articles that brings you the best AutoCAD tips and tricks. Our Forum is a lively community where AutoCAD users can ask questions and get answers. The Downloads area provides free AutoCAD blocks, free AutoLISP routines and free images.
Tutorials of the Moment
Recently viewed tutorials
-
Dimensioning
This tutorial describes the options and commands available for dimensioning drawings and how to use them. The correct use of AutoCADs dimension tools is the key to producing clear and concise measured drawings. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: less than one minute ago
-
AutoCAD 2010: Ribbon Basics
This video tutorial introduces you to the AutoCAD 2010 ribbon and demonstrates the various options you have when working with it. Running time: 5min 49sec Format: Video
Last visited: less than one minute ago
-
Object Properties
This tutorial describes how to control the display of objects (colour, linetype etc.) using layers. It also explains what layers are and how they should be used. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 2
This video tutorial continues your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 3min 20sec Format: Video
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
-
Keyframe Animation
This tutorial gives a basic but comprehensive introduction to keyframe animation in Bryce and introduces some key concepts in animation generally. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
-
Modifying Objects
This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
CADTutor Tutorials
Our tutorials are comprehensive but straightforward introductions to AutoCAD and related software. They are designed to help beginners get to grips with design workflows as quickly as possible. There are over 100 to choose from, some text/image based and others in video format. Whatever stage you are at in your learning, you should find a tutorial to help.
Forum Latest
Currently Active Topics
Segments of polylines
by Artem
15 replies
Last post: 3 hours ago
Dynamic Panel with array rivet holes problem.
by Chris Wirsch
2 replies
Last post: 9 hours ago
Running DCL directly
by therock005
16 replies
Last post: 9 hours ago
Pathfinding in AutoCAD with the A-Star Algorithm (A*)
by heschr
29 replies
Last post: 23 hours ago
Converting menues
by john madsen
8 replies
Last post: 24 hours ago
custom part builder
by Douaa
1 reply
Last post: 79 hours ago
This Week's Hot Topics
Converting menues
by john madsen
8 replies
Viewed: 265 times
Dynamic block - align to viewport
by D_P
5 replies
Viewed: 301 times
viewport outline
by masterfal
4 replies
Viewed: 389 times
Colors of the top menu bars
by FELIXJMELO
2 replies
Viewed: 282 times
Dynamic Panel with array rivet holes problem.
by Chris Wirsch
2 replies
Viewed: 152 times
showing zones as a default in the properties of spaces
by ahmedabdallah
1 reply
Viewed: 254 times
CADTutor Forums
Our forum is a vibrant community of experts and beginners. The main focus is helping beginners get to grips with AutoCAD and to help more advanced users become more productive. The AutoLISP forum is one of the busiest out there, providing expert advice for busy professionals.
AutoCAD Productivity
UCSICON Options
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #146
Originally published: June 2016
Every five years or so I address the UCS icon, so here's your next installment.
General Insights
There is a UCSICON command with these options:
Right-click on the UCS icon to display a shortcut menu with a Properties option where you can dress it up a bit.
When you are in the 2D Wireframe visual style, the UCS icon looks like a stick figure. In any other visual style, the icon is a bit more colorful and 3D looking.Horses can only breath through their nose. [Just checking to see if you're paying attention.]
Click on the UCS icon and you see a square grip at 0,0,0 and round grips at the ends of the axes.To disable the ability to select/click on the UCS icon, set the variable UCSSELECTMODE to <0>.
Note: There's an article on how to dimension 3D objects in Michael's Corner, January 2013. You will find more information on manipulating the UCS icon in that review, too.
See all the articles published in June 2016
Michael's Corner
Between 2003 and 2016, Michael Beall (and one or two guests) wrote almost 600 articles for CADTutor. The focus of these articles is AutoCAD productivity, and although some of them are now more than a few years old, most remain relevant to current versions of AutoCAD. The article above is just one example. Check out Michael's Corner for a full listing.
Image of the Week
-
9th – 15th February 2026
This week's image is by StykFacE
Software used: AutoCAD 2008
-
Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by CADken
Software used: SketchUp
-
Two Weeks Ago
This image is by arjun_samar
Software used: 3ds Max with V-Ray and Photoshop
-
Three Weeks Ago
This image is by Alex Moiceanu
Software used: SolidWorks 2011
Gallery of Work
Over the years, our forum members have contributed hundreds of images, showcasing their amazing work. The images above are just a small selection that demonstrate the wide range of project types our community is involved with. Take a look at our gallery to see all the images published in the last 12 months.
Tip of the Day
Do you want to turn it into one? <Y>
When using PEDIT and selecting an object which is not a polyline you will get a message asking if you want to turn it into a polyline. This can be quite annoying if you're having to create closed polylines from a bunch of lines. To stop getting this message, type PEDITACCEPT and press Enter. Then type 1 and press Enter. This will automatically answer "yes" to the question in future.
Missed a Tip?
Did you miss yesterday's tip? Maybe you forgot to drop by or maybe you don't visit over the weekend. If so, you can now see all the tips published during the past week. Also, if you have a tip you'd like to share with us, you can post it on our forum and if we like it, we'll publish it here.