Learn the advanced 2D features of the latest versions of AutoCAD. This course covers paper space detailing, multiple layout setup, advanced dimension techniques, blocks and symbol libraries, tables and schedules, attributes, dynamic blocks and parameters, and external references.
The delivery format of this course is via self-directed, video lectures and demonstrations, PDF manuals, and online support via web-based discussion groups and email support.
This course is designed for the full, Windows version of AutoCAD. Regarding running AutoCAD on a Mac, the best solution is to use the Mac’s Bootcamp utility and have a copy of Windows installed on its own partition. Parallels Desktop will also work and will allow you to install the full PC version of AutoCAD on your Mac.
Although there is an “AutoCAD for Mac” version available, it is not widely used and is missing many of the features found in the full Windows version of AutoCAD. The current Mac version will work for the level one course but if you continue your training with the intermediate and advanced courses, the further you go the more you will run into features that simply do not exist on the Mac software.
Required prerequisite: A student must demonstrate knowledge of AutoCAD 1 – Basic 2D to the instructor in order to enroll.
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Setup and work with multiple layouts in the paper space environment in AutoCAD.
- Create detail drawings using multi-scale viewports and paper space detailing techniques.
- Create construction drawings with blocks, attributes, and hatching.
- Use tables and table styles to create schedules for construction drawings.
- Create presentation drawings with solid and gradient fills.
- Use sheet sets to create multi-file plotting sets.
- Use publishing techniques to prepare drawing sets for distribution over the internet.
Students can get a free copy of the latest version AutoCAD from Autodesk by going here.
Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Introduction to the concept of Paper Space detailing
Discussion on advanced techniques for creating and working with floating viewports, creating multiple layouts, and using the Maximize Viewport toggle.
Lesson 2: Advanced Dimension Concepts
Students will be introduced to advanced dimension concepts including tolerances, ordinate dimensioning, and alternate unit dimensions. Students will also learn how to properly create a single dimension style for use in multi-scale drawings.
Lesson 3: Hatching Patterns, Gradient Fills, and Solid Fills
Introduction to methods for adding and modifying hatching patterns, gradient fills, and solid fills to a drawing. Students will learn the Hatch and Wipeout commands.
Lesson 4: Multileaders, Quick Dims, Wipeouts, Revision Clouds, and Boundaries
Students will learn how to create and work with Multileaders, Quick Dims, Wipeouts, Revision Clouds, and Boundaries.
Lesson 5: Introduction to tables and table styles
Students will learn how to create and modify tables, control the appearance of tables with styles, and add text and formulas to tables.
Lesson 6: Advanced selection sets
Defining Selection filters and using Quick Select. Defining Layer filters and working with Layer states.
Lesson 7: Introduction to Blocks
Applying the block, insert, explode, rename, and purge, commands. Using REFEDIT for in-place editing of blocks. Creating a library drawing of block symbols. Using the Wblock command to write blocks to the hard drive.
Lesson 8: Attributes
Students will learn how to create and work with simple attributes to assign information to blocks. Attribute extraction methods will also be discussed.
Lesson 9: AutoCAD Design Centre
Discussion on how to use the AutoCAD Design Centre to import named entities such as blocks, dimension styles, text styles, layers, layouts, etc, from existing drawings into a current drawing. Block tool palettes.
Lesson 10: Dynamic blocks
Students will be introduced to the concept of Dynamic Blocks and explore methods for adding intelligent parameters and actions to blocks.
Lesson 11: Introduction to the Sheet Set Manager.
Students will learn how to organize drawing layouts into named sheet sets.
Lesson 12: Introduction to Publishing
Students will learn how to publish a sheet set from the Sheet Set Manager as a set of paper drawings as well as a single, electronic, multisheet Design Web Format (DWF) file.
