Setting Up Your CAD101 Folder and Drawing Template in AutoCAD

Preparing Your AutoCAD Environment for Drawing Success

Efficiently manage and use your CAD101 file downloads folder with AutoCAD for superior drafting. This guide provides you with a step-by-step approach on how to utilize your resources, from the VDCI Fundamentals template to the PDF handouts.

Key Insights

  • The CAD101 file downloads folder contains essential resources for your AutoCAD course, including reference files and the VDCI Fundamentals template.
  • PDF handouts of all the projects, quizzes, and the midterm are also included in the CAD101 folder, these should be readily available for reference as you work through the course.
  • The VDCI Fundamentals template can be copied and pasted into the Select Template dialog box in AutoCAD to streamline your drafting process with preset dimension and multiliter styles, and layouts for 8.5 by 11 and 11 by 17 sheets.

Note: These materials offer prospective students a preview of how our classes are structured. Students enrolled in this course will receive access to the full set of materials, including video lectures, project-based assignments, and instructor feedback.

Before we begin drawing in AutoCAD, I want to ensure that you have downloaded and extracted your CAD101 file download folder from the Resources section of the Learning Hub. We will be using this folder to save and open files throughout the duration of this course.

You can see that I have saved mine in the local C drive of my computer, but you may save yours on your Desktop or in My Documents. Please keep track of where you save this folder. When I go into the folder, we will see reference files and the VDCI Fundamentals template, which we will use shortly.

But before that, please check out the PDF handouts. We have provided PDF handouts for all of the projects, graded hands-on quizzes, and the midterm. Feel free to print these out or keep them open in PDF form as you work through the course.

We will reference these files as we progress through our drafting symbols, electrical symbols, and other projects. For now, I'm going to move this window off to the side, and let's talk about using our drawing template. In AutoCAD, when you create a new file by going to File > New, clicking the New button, or hitting the AutoCAD Application button > New, the Select Template dialog box will appear.

This is the template folder specific to your installation of AutoCAD on your computer. We need to place the VDCI Fundamentals template into this folder. With the Select Template window and my File Explorer window open, I will go to my CAD101 File Downloads, select the VDCI Fundamentals Template, right-click on it, and choose Copy.

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Then, I will return to the AutoCAD Application, right-click on this part of the window, and select Paste. Now, the VDCI Fundamentals template is in the template folder. I will hit Open, which creates a new drawing using the template settings, including our dimension and multileader styles, as well as layouts for an 8.5 × 11 sheet and an 11 × 17 sheet.

I will return to Model Space, and we can begin drafting in the next video.

photo of David Sellers

David Sellers

David has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and a MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire.

  • Licensed Architect
  • Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER– Certified > 5 Years)
  • Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360
  • Adobe Visual Design Specialist
  • SketchUp Certified 3D Warehouse Content Developer
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