Learn AutoCAD with our Free Tutorials

CADTutor delivers the best free tutorials and articles for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and associated applications along with a friendly 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 such as Photoshop and Bryce. Michael’s Corner is a monthly article that brings you the best up-to-date AutoCAD tips and tricks. The Forums are a lively bulletin board where AutoCAD users can ask questions and get answers. The Download area provides free AutoCAD blocks, free AutoLISP routines and free digital images.

Site News

Michael’s Corner - February/March 2015

Second Fiddles

As promised, Michael's Corner is back for it's first outing of 2015. We know you probably began the year with some worthy resolutions, and maybe improving your efficiency at work was one of them. By February many of us have either forgotten we made resolutions or have given up on them, so here's some really useful (and timely) stuff to get you back on track if working smarter, not harder was one of the resolutions on your list.

This month, Michael takes a look at a very useful technique when working with overlapping viewports, demonstrates how to mask areas behind dimension text (one of our top 10 FAQs), how to use the Shift key to good effect when working with Ortho and a new feature in AutoCAD 2015 that helps to streamline your interactions with Polar Tracking. All in all it's another great Corner, with something for everyone.

Watch out for the next instalment at the beginning of April when, no doubt, the Web will be buzzing with rumours of fabulous new features in AutoCAD 2016—we can't wait.

Video Tutorials

We've added a new Video Tutorials section to CADTutor! Some of our users have asked for video tutorials in addition to the text-based tutorials already on the site. Check them out and let us know what you think. Also, for those of you who prefer to watch your online video at YouTube, why not visit the CADTutor YouTube channel?

Currently Active Threads

This Week’s Hot Threads

Tip of the Day

Who is using that file?

If you are unable to open a drawing for editing (read-only) because it is in use, and want to find out who has it open, start a new drawing, or go to a drawing you have open and type WHOHAS at the command line. Browse to the drawing file using the file dialog box and double-click the filename (or select the file and click the Open button). A small message box will appear, showing who is using the file, the name of their PC and when it was opened.

Today's tip is by LElkins

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.