AutoCAD Tutorials

The AutoCAD tutorials section contains a range of tutorials from beginner to advanced and covering both 2D and 3D. The tutorials are divided into categories; The Basics, Beyond Basics, Techniques, Modelling and Rendering and Exercises. If you're looking for something specific, try the relevant category or take a look at the full listing on this page.

We've recently added some great AutoCAD video tutorials for a new learning experience. This section of the site is still growing so check back often.

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AutoCAD 2010: Starting a Command This video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec		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
Last visited: 5 minutes ago		Last visited: 57 minutes ago
AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 1 This video tutorial takes you on a guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. This is the best place to start for beginners. Running time: 3min 56sec		AutoCAD 2010: Getting Ready for 3D This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec
Last visited: 1 hour ago		Last visited: 10 minutes ago

Tutorial Snippet

The Line Command

Originally published as part of the Drawing Objects tutorial

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawLine
Keyboard	LINE	short-cut	L

Rubber Band Line & Cross Hairs With the Line command you can draw a simple line from one point to another. When you pick the first point and move the cross-hairs to the location of the second point you will see a rubber band line which shows you where the line will be drawn when the second point is picked. Line objects have two ends (the first point and the last point). You can continue picking points and AutoCAD will draw a straight line between each picked point and the previous point. Each line segment drawn is a separate object and can be moved or erased as required. To end this command, just hit the key on the keyboard.

Command Sequence

Command: LINE
Specify first point: (pick P1)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (pick P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (to end)

You can also draw lines by entering the co-ordinates of their end points at the command prompt rather than picking their position from the screen. This enables you to draw lines that are off screen, should you want to. (See Using Co-ordinates for more details). You can also draw lines using something called direct distance entry. See the Direct Distance Entry tutorial for details.

This snippet was written by David Watson

AutoCAD Tutorial Listing

The Basics

AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 1

This video tutorial takes you on a guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. This is the best place to start for beginners. Running time: 3min 56sec

AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 2

This video tutorial continues your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 3min 20sec

AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 3

This video tutorial completes your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 4min 04sec

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

AutoCAD 2010: Starting a Command

This video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec

Drawing Objects

Getting to grips with AutoCAD's basic drawing tools. This is an ideal start for the AutoCAD beginner.

Object Selection

This tutorial shows you the many ways AutoCAD objects can be selected. Covers the building of selection sets with implied windowing, fences etc.

Modifying Objects

This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case.

AutoCAD 2010: Joining Lines, Polylines and Arcs

This video tutorial demonstrates how to join lines, polylines and arcs using the Join command and the Edit Polyline command. Running time: 6min 49sec

Direct Distance Entry

The essential way of working with AutoCAD

Drawing Aids

All about drawing aids.

Units and Scales

If you're asking yourself "what scale do I draw in?" or "what units should I use?", you need this tutorial.

Using Co-ordinates

All about the use of co-ordinates in AutoCAD.

Object Snap

A tutorial giving an overview of all the AutoCAD object snaps (osnaps) with some worked examples. The tutorial also covers the use of temporary tracking points and object snap tracking.

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.

Masterplan Exercise

This exercise can be used to practice your basic drafting skills.

North Point Exercise

An exercise sheet, covering a range of basic skills including object snaps.

Site Layout Exercise 1

This exercise is designed to help you test out your basic AutoCAD skills. You'll need an understanding of the Draw and Modify tools and how to use co-ordinates.

Beyond Basics

Advanced Selection

After you've mastered the basics of selection, this tutorial shows you some powerful methods for making complex selection sets.

User Co-ordinate Systems

This tutorial describes what UCSs are, why we need them and how to use them. The correct use of UCSs with AutoCAD is the key to producing good 3D models and they can also help with 2D work.

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.

The UCS Icon

All about the UCS icon.

Using Images

A simple exercise to help you understand how images work in AutoCAD.

Scaling Images

How to scale images in AutoCAD.

All About Images

This tutorial tells you all you need to know about working with images in AutoCAD.

ISO Paper Sizes

There has alwas been some confusion over the size of standard ISO drawing sheets with AutoCAD.The stated sizes in the plot dialogue box are not the true ISO sizes. This tutorial explains why and how to plot to scale from Model Space.

Paper Space Exercise

AutoCAD's paper space mode is a bit like having a page in a scrapbook onto which you can paste different views of your AutoCAD drawing. This whole page can then be plotted. This exercise demonstrates how.

Techniques

AutoCAD to Photoshop

This tutorial demonstrates a number of workflows from quick and simple to high quality.

AutoCAD 2010: Joining Lines, Polylines and Arcs

This video tutorial demonstrates how to join lines, polylines and arcs using the Join command and the Edit Polyline command. Running time: 6min 49sec

Setting up a PostScript Plotter

How to set up a PostScript Plotter.

Scaling Images

How to scale images in AutoCAD.

Adding Sunlight to your Drawings

This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model.

Creating Custom Bitmap Materials

This tutorial demonstartes how to create your own bitmap based materials using Photoshop and AutoCAD.

Creating Seamless Tiles

This tutorial shows you how to create perfectly seamless image tiles in Photoshop. The image tiles are perfect for creating image based materials in AutoCAD, MAX or Bryce.

AutoCAD to Bryce

This tutorial takes a step-by-step approach to moving your AutoCAD 3D models into Bryce, applying materials and creating a setting.

Importing AutoCAD Meshes to Bryce

This tutorial describes how to create a triangular ground model using Key Terra-Firma and AutoCAD and how to import this ground model into Bryce.

Perspectives, Slides and Scripts

AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how.

Entering Survey Data using AutoCAD

These techniques apply to basic CAD programs such as AutoCAD, IntelliCAD, etc. If you have a civil/survey program or add-on, such as Land Desktop, SurvCADD, Eagle Point, etc., then there are built-in tools for entering lines and curves.

3D Basics

AutoCAD 2010: Getting Ready for 3D

This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec

AutoCAD 2010: The 3D Primitives

This tutorial follows on from the Getting ready for 3D tutorial and describes how each of the 3D primitives work. Running time: 15min 10sec

AutoCAD 2010: Basic 3D Editing with Grips & Gizmos

This tutorial follows on from the 3D Primitives tutorial and describes how 3D solid objects can be edited using grips and gizmos. Running time: 11min 53sec

AutoCAD 2010: The ViewCube

This tutorial introduces the ViewCube and describes how it can be used for effectively navigating your 3D drawings. Running time: 6min 13sec

AutoCAD 2010: Ground Shadows

This tutorial explains how to turn ground shadows on and how they help in defining the relationship between 3D objects and the ground plane. Running time: 1min 55sec

AutoCAD 2010: Subobject Editing with Filters

This tutorial introduces the subobjects (Face, Edge and Vertex), describes how best to select them and demonstrates how they can be edited. Running time: 15min 56sec

AutoCAD 2010: Extrude & Press/Pull

This tutorial introduces the AutoCAD extrusion tools, Extrude and Press/Pull. A good understanding of both tools is important for developing 3D modeling skills. Running time: 9min 53sec

AutoCAD 2010: 3D Move & 3D Rotate

This tutorial introduces two of the most useful Modify tools for 3D, 3D Move and 3D Rotate and demonstrates how powerful 3D Rotate can be when combined with Polar Tracking. Running time: 6min 35sec

AutoCAD 2010: 3D Scale & 3D Align

This tutorial introduces the 3D Scale and 3D Align tools. Although 3D Scale is a bit of a damp squib, 3D Align is very powerful and can get you out of all sorts of scrapes if you know how to use it correctly. Running time: 3min 42sec

AutoCAD 2010: 3D Mirror

This tutorial introduces the 3D Mirror tool. This is similar to the normal 2D Mirror tool but it enables you to define a mirror about and plane in 3D space and there are a number of command line options to help you define that plane. Running time: 3min 17sec

AutoCAD 2010: 3D Array

This tutorial introduces 3D Array tool and covers both Rectangular and Polar arrays. Despite the fact that it doesn't have a neat dialogue box, like its 2D cousin, 3D Array is pretty easy to use and can be used to create some impressive results. Running time: 3min 34sec

Modelling and Rendering

AutoCAD 2010: Getting Ready for 3D

This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec

Basic 3D and Surface Modelling

Although AutoCAD has a number of commands for creating special 3D objects, a lot can be achieved by changing the properties of basic 2D objects like polylines. This tutorial provides a basic introduction to creating and viewing 3D objects.

3D Tree Exercise

The object behind this exercise is twofold. Firstly it is to give you practice with some of the 3D techniques which you have discovered in the tutorials or to introduce you to them if you haven't seen them before. Secondly it is to demonstrate a reasonably simple method for constructing a convincing 3D tree.

Adding Sunlight to your Drawings

This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model.

All About Shadows

This tutorial considers the various options for creating shadows when rendering 3D models.

Creating Custom Bitmap Materials

This tutorial demonstartes how to create your own bitmap based materials using Photoshop and AutoCAD.

Creating Seamless Tiles

This tutorial shows you how to create perfectly seamless image tiles in Photoshop. The image tiles are perfect for creating image based materials in AutoCAD, MAX or Bryce.

AutoCAD to Bryce

This tutorial takes a step-by-step approach to moving your AutoCAD 3D models into Bryce, applying materials and creating a setting.

Perspectives, Slides and Scripts

AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how.

Exercises

Site Layout Exercise 1

This exercise is designed to help you test out your basic AutoCAD skills. You'll need an understanding of the Draw and Modify tools and how to use co-ordinates.

Site Layout Exercise 2

This exercise is designed to progress your skills in 2D drafting and to test your understanding of layouts and printing to scale from paper space.

North Point Exercise

An exercise sheet, covering a range of basic skills including object snaps.

Using Images

A simple exercise to help you understand how images work in AutoCAD.

Masterplan Exercise

This exercise can be used to practice your basic drafting skills.

3D Tree Exercise

Paper Space Exercise

AutoLISP

AutoLISP Quick Start

This tutorial is designed to help AutoCAD users get to grips with AutoLISP quickly. It demonstartes how to create AutoLISP routines from a standing start.

Key TERRA-FIRMA

Ground Modelling

This tutorial describes how to create a 3D surface model from contour information using AutoCAD and Key TERRA-FIRMA.

Volumetrics

This tutorial describes how to use Key TERRA-FIRMA to calculate volumes from ground models (.KGM files) and how to calculate cut and fill volumes between ground models.

Creating and Drawing Sections

This tutorial describes how to draw sections using Key TERRA-FIRMA. The tutorial assumes that you have previously completed the Ground Modelling tutorial or that you already have a good understanding of TERRA-FIRMA ground modelling.

Drawing Objects Getting to grips with AutoCAD's basic drawing tools. This is an ideal start for the AutoCAD beginner.		Units and Scales If you're asking yourself "what scale do I draw in?" or "what units should I use?", you need this tutorial.
Visits per day: 241.18		Visits per day: 127.46
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.		Modifying Objects This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case.
Visits per day: 111.24		Visits per day: 112.01

AutoCAD Tutorials

Featured Tutorials

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Tutorial Snippet

The Line Command

Command Sequence

AutoCAD Tutorial Listing

The Basics

Beyond Basics

Techniques

3D Basics

Modelling and Rendering

Exercises

AutoLISP

Key TERRA-FIRMA

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The Basics