Steps to Master AutoCAD

The key is you need to learn one step at a time. Learn to walk before you learn to run. You need to understand the concept of each step, then you will be an AutoCAD guru.

1. Getting Started

AutoCAD Interface

AutoCAD interface now is easier for new users. I know many AutoCAD veterans hate ribbon and other interface enhancements. But honestly new and occasional users say that they like the new interface. Learn how you can access and activate drawing tools, modify tools, and any other tools. If you already familiar with Windows application, then this won’t take too long. AutoCAD is a Windows compliant software, so should taste the same.

Navigate the drawing

Now try to open any drawing. If you don’t have it, start with a sample file. I always teach this first: navigation tools. Try to navigate through your drawing. Pan, zoom in, zoom out, and then zoom extend. Get familiar with navigation tools. Then it will be easier for you later when you start learn how to draw.

Now you can start to create a new drawing and try to draw.

The rule is: create a new drawing using appropriate template. If you draw with metric units, don’t use imperial templates!

2. Drawing Tools

Manual drafting

After you get familiar to AutoCAD interface and its navigation tools, now it’s time for you to learn how to use drawing tools. I know some instructors teach students how to use each drawing tools. But if you don’t get the concept, then you will forget it the next day. The next week at best.

How AutoCAD tools work

Drawing tools are very easy to use. Most basic tools name describe what they do. Line tool will draw a line, rectangle tool will draw rectangle. What you have to understand is, every tool might have different way to be used. It’s difficult to remember all of the steps in each tool. That’s what command line is for (or you can use dynamic input).

Command line is just like a road sign, it will guide you so you don’t get lost. Try to activate a drawing tool, like a line.

Command: _line Specify first point:

Specify next point or [Undo]:

Specify next point or [Undo]:

Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:

After you activate the line tool, then AutoCAD will tell you what to do: specify first point.

Define your point by clicking in the drawing area, then it will ask you again: specify next point. Just click anywhere in your drawing area, don’t worry about the size or precise coordinate yet.

Now let’s try for circle:

Command: ARC Specify start point of arc or [Centre]: C

Specify centre point of arc:

Specify start point of arc:

Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:

After activate circle, AutoCAD will tell to specify a start point, and give an option: switch from specifying a start point to a centre point. This time, type the capital letter in the option, C, to switch to specify centre point. Then AutoCAD ask for centre point, start point, and then end point consecutively.

Follow command line, then you should be OK. Even for you who have used AutoCAD for years, you should be watching command line sometimes. Especially when you use a new version, try to find if there is any new option there.

3. Precise Input

After you get familiar with using drawing tool, then now you should get familiar with precise input. Precision is one of the advantages of using CAD. And your drawing is useless if it’s not precise.

Dynamic input fields

At this time you will learn about global and relative coordinate, then snap tools. After finishing this step, you will be able to draw precisely.

I will not discuss this further in this post, maybe I will write more in separate post.

4. Modify Tools

Next step: modify tools. There are many modify tools. But same as drawing tools, its name should describe what they do. Or at least they icon will describe more. And you can just let your pointer above the icon, and let the help tool tip expand and explain more.

Fillet help

You can also try to activate the tool, then press F1. It will open help file with related topic. Many Windows users don’t realize this. They open then search the help file. And sometimes can’t find what they are looking for.

Same rule applies here: keep watching the command line!

5. Object Selection

After you playing with the modify tools, now you should learn about object selection. You will need to select objects when you modify or manipulate them. Selecting one object is peace of cake. But if you have a complex drawing then you should learn more tricks.

You can use noun-verb or verb-noun selection to modify objects. But the default is verb-noun selection, contrary to Windows default: noun-verb selection.

6. Annotation and Styles

now you can draw, you can modify your drawings. Next step: creating annotation and understand using styles.

What is annotation? Everything in your drawing that’s not categorized as geometry. It can be text, hatches, dimensions, tables, etc. Using annotation tools should be easy, after what you’ve been through from step 1-5.

3D model with annotation

The problem in this step might be setting up the annotation styles and scales. Styles are used to define how your annotation will look like. There are a lot of option in styles, but what usually confusing is options related to the scale. What size I should create my text, so I can read it clearly when it’s plotted? What size are my dimension arrows should be set?

Thanks to Autodesk, now you can set this quite easily using annotation scale.

If you work in a company that has establish a drawing standard, you might not need to set styles any more. Simply use a template that already has all the styles, then use it.

7. Drawing Management

After learning AutoCAD from step 1-6, you should already be able to draw with AutoCAD.

Now you need to learn to be more productive. Remember, drawing with AutoCAD is not just about how fast you can finish the drawing. But your drawing is also need to be easy to be modify. Not only by you, but also by your team member. You need to manage your drawing and objects inside it.

File management

In this step you will learn about layers, layout, and may be sheet sets if you want to go further.

8. Reusable Content

If you see an AutoCAD drawing, many objects are repetitive. You can see symbols, standard parts, common objects and many more. Yes you can copy it multiple times, but we want to be more productive.

Block is very important to help you working with repetitive object. Not only it’s reusable, but block definition allows you to mass update your drawing.

Block and references

If you want to go further, block also allows you to add attributes as block ID. And block allows you to report any block’s properties. You can create schedule easily. Or report multiple points coordinate.

9. Manage your Standard

Everybody have standard in their drawing, even you don’t realize it. It is a good practice to have them compiled in your templates. Furthermore, to maintain your standard, you can use cad standard. You can also have your reusable content to manage your drawings standard.

And you will become more productive after implementing your standard.

10. Design Collaboration

You will work with the others for sure. You might be have to work with your partners in your company. It’s a waste of time if they have to wait until you finish, close your file, then they continue your drawings. Or worse, they copy your file, and work separately with you. It’s difficult to track changes if you do this.

You can work simultaneously with your partners if you divide your design in to separates files, then use reference or underlay. Because they are separate files, each of them can be opened by different person. Separating file will also keep your files simple, avoiding you from the killing ‘fatal error’ message. More complex your file, more chances it will get corrupted.

Learn about XREF. And maybe you want to implement centralize database with Autodesk Vault.

11. Develop Your Own Workflow

If your instructor have architecture background, he/she might teach you to draw with his/her workflow. It might not be suitable for you who work in different industry.

After using AutoCAD for a while, you will be able to develop your own workflow. It will suit you, and you will become more productive. Don’t stuck with what your instructor teach you, and obviously don’t stuck with what I say.

12. Keep Practicing

Practice makes perfect. You will get better with a lot of practice. AutoCAD master are they who use it intensively. Try to actually drawing a project. Don’t just drawing lines with no meaning.

Doing computer exercise

If you don’t have a project yet, find a sample then draw it. You will find problem when you actually use it.

Become an AutoCAD master is not only about knowing everything in AutoCAD. You need to use the right tool for your workflow. If there are anything else you want to add, please do. You can write in comment and I will add them here. You will be credited.