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.
AutoCAD 2010: Starting a CommandThis video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec |
AutoCAD 2010: Ribbon BasicsThis 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 1This 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 3DThis 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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Drawing ObjectsGetting to grips with AutoCAD's basic drawing tools. This is an ideal start for the AutoCAD beginner. |
Units and ScalesIf you're asking yourself "what scale do I draw in?" or "what units should I use?", you need this tutorial. |
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DimensioningThis 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 ObjectsThis tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case. |
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Toolbar | custom | |
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Keyboard | RAY |
The Ray command creates a line similar to a construction line except that it extends infinitely in only one direction from the first pick point. The direction of the Ray is determined by the position of the second pick point.
Command: RAY
Specify start point: (pick the start point)
Specify through point: (pick a second point to determine direction)
Specify through point: (to end or pick another point)
This snippet was written by David Watson
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
This video tutorial continues your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 3min 20sec
This video tutorial completes your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 4min 04sec
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
This video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec
Getting to grips with AutoCAD's basic drawing tools. This is an ideal start for the AutoCAD beginner.
This tutorial shows you the many ways AutoCAD objects can be selected. Covers the building of selection sets with implied windowing, fences etc.
This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case.
This video tutorial demonstrates how to join lines, polylines and arcs using the Join command and the Edit Polyline command. Running time: 6min 49sec
The essential way of working with AutoCAD
All about drawing aids.
If you're asking yourself "what scale do I draw in?" or "what units should I use?", you need this tutorial.
All about the use of co-ordinates in AutoCAD.
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.
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.
This exercise can be used to practice your basic drafting skills.
An exercise sheet, covering a range of basic skills including object snaps.
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.
After you've mastered the basics of selection, this tutorial shows you some powerful methods for making complex selection sets.
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.
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.
All about the UCS icon.
A simple exercise to help you understand how images work in AutoCAD.
How to scale images in AutoCAD.
This tutorial tells you all you need to know about working with images in AutoCAD.
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.
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.
This tutorial demonstrates a number of workflows from quick and simple to high quality.
This video tutorial demonstrates how to join lines, polylines and arcs using the Join command and the Edit Polyline command. Running time: 6min 49sec
How to set up a PostScript Plotter.
How to scale images in AutoCAD.
This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model.
This tutorial demonstartes how to create your own bitmap based materials using Photoshop and AutoCAD.
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.
This tutorial takes a step-by-step approach to moving your AutoCAD 3D models into Bryce, applying materials and creating a setting.
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.
AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how.
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.
This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec
This tutorial follows on from the Getting ready for 3D tutorial and describes how each of the 3D primitives work. Running time: 15min 10sec
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
This tutorial introduces the ViewCube and describes how it can be used for effectively navigating your 3D drawings. Running time: 6min 13sec
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec
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.
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.
This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model.
This tutorial considers the various options for creating shadows when rendering 3D models.
This tutorial demonstartes how to create your own bitmap based materials using Photoshop and AutoCAD.
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.
This tutorial takes a step-by-step approach to moving your AutoCAD 3D models into Bryce, applying materials and creating a setting.
AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how.
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.
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.
An exercise sheet, covering a range of basic skills including object snaps.
A simple exercise to help you understand how images work in AutoCAD.
This exercise can be used to practice your basic drafting skills.
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.
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.
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.
This tutorial describes how to create a 3D surface model from contour information using AutoCAD and Key TERRA-FIRMA.
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.
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.
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
This video tutorial continues your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 3min 20sec
This video tutorial completes your guided tour of the AutoCAD 2010 user interface. Running time: 4min 04sec
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
This video tutorial demonstrates some of the methods for starting a command in AutoCAD. Running time: 2min 42sec
This video tutorial demonstrates how to join lines, polylines and arcs using the Join command and the Edit Polyline command. Running time: 6min 49sec
This video tutorial describes how to prepare the AutoCAD 2010 user interface (UI) ready for a 3D drawing project. Running time: 2min 23sec
This tutorial follows on from the Getting ready for 3D tutorial and describes how each of the 3D primitives work. Running time: 15min 10sec
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
This tutorial introduces the ViewCube and describes how it can be used for effectively navigating your 3D drawings. Running time: 6min 13sec
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
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
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
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
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
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
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