AutoCAD Tutorials

The Basics

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.

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

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.

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.

Modelling and Rendering

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.