Introduction to AutoCAD

What Will You Learn?

The Introduction to AutoCAD course provides students with foundational knowledge in 2D drafting, design principles, and CAD documentation. This course covers basic commands, drawing techniques, annotation tools, and plotting, ensuring students gain practical experience with industry-standard workflows.

By completing this course, you will:

• Learn the AutoCAD interface and essential drafting tools.
• Develop expertise in working with architectural and electrical symbols.
• Gain skills in creating, modifying, and annotating drawings.
• Understand layer management, sheet setup, and plotting techniques.
• Master best practices for accurate and efficient CAD workflows.

Course Lessons and Projects

Lesson 1: The Interface and Architectural Symbols

This lesson introduces students to AutoCAD’s user interface and the use of architectural symbols.

Skills Learned:

• Navigating the AutoCAD workspace, toolbars, and command line.
• Understanding drawing units, scales, and coordinate systems.
• Placing and modifying architectural symbols within CAD drawings.
• Using object snaps, grid settings, and drafting aids.
• Managing file organization and basic drawing setup.

Project: Create a basic architectural layout, incorporating doors, walls, and annotation symbols.

Lesson 2: Electrical Symbols

Students will explore electrical drafting, focusing on circuit design and symbol placement.

Skills Learned:

• Using AutoCAD electrical symbols and libraries.
• Placing outlets, switches, and light fixtures in a floor plan.
• Adjusting layers and line types for electrical components.
• Managing block creation for reusable electrical elements.
• Enhancing electrical plans with annotation and callouts.

Project: Develop an electrical layout for a residential space, ensuring proper symbol placement and annotation.

Lesson 3: Kitchen and Bath Fixtures

This lesson focuses on designing kitchen and bathroom layouts, including fixture placement.

Skills Learned:

• Inserting kitchen and bath fixture symbols.
• Modifying sink, stove, and cabinetry placements.
• Aligning bathroom plumbing and electrical symbols.
• Using layers to organize plumbing and appliance details.
• Applying dimensioning and annotation best practices.

Project: Create a detailed kitchen and bath floor plan, incorporating fixtures and cabinetry layouts.

Lesson 4: Walls, Doors, and Windows

Students will learn how to design structural elements, including walls, doors, and windows.

Skills Learned:

• Drawing exterior and interior walls using precise coordinates.
• Placing and modifying door and window symbols.
• Understanding wall hatching and material representation.
• Adjusting door swing arcs and clearance zones.
• Configuring layer properties for structural components.

Project: Design a floor plan with doors, walls, and window placements, ensuring accurate spacing and proportions.

Lesson 5: Creating Sheets and Adding Fixtures

This lesson covers organizing drawings into sheets and refining fixture placements.

Skills Learned:

• Setting up layout views and title blocks.
• Adjusting sheet scales for consistent plotting.
• Refining fixture placements for improved clarity.
• Managing text styles, dimensions, and annotation symbols.
• Preparing drawings for printing and client presentation.

Project: Assemble a professional sheet set, incorporating floor plans, fixtures, and annotations.

Lesson 6: The Dimensions and Plotting

Students will focus on dimensioning techniques and finalizing drawing plots.

Skills Learned:

• Applying linear, aligned, and radial dimensions.
• Configuring dimension styles for consistency.
• Managing plot settings for different paper sizes and formats.
• Understanding CTB and STB plotting methods.
• Exporting drawings to PDF and external formats for collaboration.

Project: Finalize a dimensioned and plotted drawing, ensuring professional-quality output.

Key Skills You Will Walk Away With

• Proficiency in 2D drafting and annotation using AutoCAD.
• Expertise in creating and modifying floor plans and technical drawings.
• Ability to work with architectural, electrical, and plumbing symbols.
• Skills in setting up sheets, applying dimensions, and plotting drawings.
• Hands-on experience in professional CAD documentation workflows.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for professionals and students looking to build a strong foundation in AutoCAD drafting. It is suited for:

• Architectural Drafters & Designers – Learn floor plan creation and symbol placement.
• Electrical & Mechanical Drafters – Gain skills in symbol usage and annotation for technical drawings.
• Construction Project Managers – Improve CAD documentation and project coordination skills.
• BIM & CAD Technicians – Strengthen knowledge of 2D drafting workflows.
• Students & Recent Graduates – Build expertise in AutoCAD fundamentals for professional applications.

Career Applications & Industry Relevance

The skills developed in this course are essential for professionals involved in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) drafting. Career paths that benefit from this course include:

• Architectural Drafter – Develop expertise in floor plans and CAD documentation.
• CAD Technician – Work with detailed 2D technical drawings for engineering projects.
• Construction Coordinator – Manage AutoCAD drawings for site layouts and project planning.
• MEP Designer – Create technical schematics for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Facility Manager – Maintain as-built documentation using AutoCAD.

With the increasing reliance on CAD for design and documentation, proficiency in Introduction to AutoCAD provides professionals with a competitive edge in 2D drafting, annotation, and technical drawing production.