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Tutorials

CADTutor tutorials are all original and specifically designed to get you working with AutoCAD and other applications as knowledgeably as possible. We don't believe in providing only quick step-by-step tutorials like other sites. Our tutorials are comprehensive and aim to give you a deeper understanding and a better learning experience. See the AutoCAD tutorials page for more information.

If you can't see what you're looking for on this page, take a look at the list of all tutorials and don't forget that there's lots more content in the Michael's Corner section of the site.

We're always on the lookout for good content. If you have a tutorial or an article that you'd like to see published on CADTutor, get in touch using the contact form.

Tutorials of the Moment

The most recently viewed tutorials

Object Selection

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

 

Modifying Objects

Modifying Objects | AutoCADThis tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case.

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Render Scene Dialog

Render Scene Dialog | 3ds MaxThe Render Scene dialog has many settings, only a number of which are commonly used. This tutorial uses the default Scanline Renderer as an introduction to the dialog and settings.

 

Entering Survey Data using AutoCAD

Entering Survey Data using AutoCAD | AutoCADThese 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.

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Featured Tutorials

Tutorials we think you'll like

AutoCAD 2010: Starting a Command

AutoCAD  2010: Starting a Command | AutoCADThis video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec

 

AutoCAD 2010: Ribbon Basics

AutoCAD 2010: Ribbon Basics | AutoCADThis video tutorial introduces you to the AutoCAD 2010 ribbon and demonstrates the various options you have when working with it. Running time: 5min 49sec

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AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 1

AutoCAD 2010: The User Interface - Part 1 | AutoCADThis 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

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

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Tip of the Day

2D Drawings from your 3D Models

Flatshot

Over the years, there have been various methods of creating 2D drawings from 3D models in AutoCAD. In the early days, we used export to DXB, a file format that is no longer supported. Then came the FLATTEN command. Now, there's a new command that's better than previous methods.

The FLATSHOT command creates a 2D block object of any view that includes 3D solid objects. There are a number of options including show/hide obscured lines and independent control over the colour and linetype of foreground and obscured lines. Flatshot works by projecting the lines of your current view, not UCS, onto a plane. This is a little more versatile than Flatten and doesn't seem to skew the dimension of the object, which Flatten is notorious for. It also has the advantage of leaving the original object as is. The only downside is that it seems to have problems with perspective views. Parallel projection views work perfectly.

Today's tip is by CromCruithne

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Featured Tutorial

3D Tree Exercise

3D Tree Exercise | AutoCAD

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.

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