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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
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Stage 9: Replace blocks for Lamp Posts and Trees
Simplified blocks for lamp posts and trees in the AutoCAD drawing can now be imported and replaced with 3D models and images using Quickscape Model Objects and Image Objects dialogs. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
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Perspectives, Slides and Scripts
AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
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Cameras
Cameras are the main viewing tools in 3D visualisation. This tutorial demonstartes how to create and control cameras. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
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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: 3 minutes ago
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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: 3 minutes ago
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All About Images
This tutorial tells you all you need to know about working with images in AutoCAD. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 5 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
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Maintaining coordinate integrity when combining survey drawings from different sources
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Sketch circle is always stored as two half arcs, even when drawn with the Circle tool?
by Ajmal
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Last post: 6 hours ago
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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
Text Frame on Mtext
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #148
Originally published: October 2016
Yes, you can Enclose Text in Objects from Express Tools — See Michael's Corner, June 2004 — but when using the Text Frame property on Mtext, the frame adjusts when you size the Mtext or change the text content!

Just select your Mtext, open Properties [Ctrl 1], then set Text Frame to <Yes>.
To test it, change the size of your Mtext or edit the content and the frame automatically adjusts!
See all the articles published in October 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
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9th – 15th November 2026
This week's image is by Titi95
Software used: Modelling and rendering in AutoCAD
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Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by arjun_samar
Software used: 3ds Max with V-Ray and Photoshop
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Two Weeks Ago
This image is by shift1313
Software used: SolidWorks 2010
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Three Weeks Ago
This image is by Oppie
Software used: AutoCAD 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
Easily set properties for multiple blocks in Tool Palettes
Lots of people think that when you have blocks saved in a Tool Palette, you have to each individual block to apply custom settings. What if you have 20 blocks and you want them all to have the same setting? Well, just hold the Ctrl key and highlight the blocks you want within the Tool Palette, then right click on any of the selected blocks to apply global settings.
Also, you can hold the Ctrl key to select your first block, then hold the Shift key to select the last block, then right click on any of the selected blocks to apply a global settings. Makes things much easier than one at a time.
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.