In the ever-evolving landscape of design and engineering, mastery of powerful tools is essential for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re an experienced architect, a budding engineer, or a creative mind looking to enter the world of digital design, AutoCAD’s capabilities are vast and varied.
Embarking on the journey of learning AutoCAD can be an exciting yet challenging endeavour. The key to successful mastery lies in access to quality tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance and insight into the specifics of the software.
In this article, we’ll look at tutorials and resources that can take you from beginner level to proficiency with AutoCAD without spending a penny.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced user looking to improve your skills, this guide will set you up for success without breaking the bank. Let’s start our learning journey and unlock the full potential of AutoCAD together.
Free AutoCAD tutorials①:Keyboard Shortcuts
Mastering AutoCAD’s keyboard shortcuts is a huge step forward in efficiency. Instead of relying solely on your mouse, using keyboard shortcuts will speed up your workflow significantly. That’s why they exist! Imagine being able to seamlessly execute commands and navigate the interface without having to constantly move your cursor.
Not only does this save time, it also improves the accuracy of your designs. Mastering these shortcuts should be a top priority on your journey to becoming an AutoCAD pro. Rather than learning the software and then learning the shortcuts, it’s much quicker to learn the shortcuts first. They eliminate the step of unlearning the mouse habit and replacing it with the keyboard.
So let’s start our AutoCAD training with our fingers. Here is a link to Autodesk’s own website where you can access their comprehensive shortcut guide for free!
The method of operating AutoCAD is also explained in this article.
【2024】AutoCAD Training: Learn AutoCAD’s Basic Tools and Functions
Free AutoCAD tutorials②: YouTube
The next step is a matter of personal choice. Do you prefer self-study or structured tutorials? If you are the type of person who is confident that you can pick up the skills you need here and there, thenYouTube is the resource for you. Whether you’re a visual learner who appreciates short, concise tutorials or someone who benefits from in-depth, longer-form content, YouTube has it all.
The beauty of this platform is its diversity – from channels dedicated to quick tips to those offering comprehensive project-based tutorials. To help you get started, here’s a curated collection of YouTube playlists tailored for beginners, covering everything from basic commands to advanced techniques.
There are short-form tutorials that teach you a specific action, as well as longer-form content. Here is a collection of playlists that might be useful for beginners.
CADREGION has a number of useful tutorials for beginners spanning the range of around 5-10 minutes. It’s perfect for learning the basics. They have an excellent playlist for AutoCAD 2024. (Tip: Be sure to repeat each lesson using the keyboard shortcuts to increase your efficiency when using AutoCAD). CADREGION is refreshing in how straightforward its tutorials are.
There is little fluff, so the content is knowledge dense. As you work through the tutorials, it is a good idea to create your own sample projects to practise the skills you are learning. Bonus points for those who can combine all the skills learned in two or three videos into one project. Practice is the key!
For something a little more advanced, we have CAD CAM Tutorials. Boasting over 300 tutorials on AutoCAD; with tutorials ranging from beginner to advanced. It is a very good place to learn more than the basics or a more niche area. For example, they have AutoCAD electrical tutorials, AutoCAD architectural tutorials and 3D design tutorials.
The channel is definitely more project focused, which is great for learning by doing. One nice thing about the channel is how consistent they are with their uploads. They have a number of playlists with videos ranging from 10 to 30 minutes.
CAD in black is also a refreshing channel with many tutorials for beginners. There is a recommended playlist for floor plan tutorials in AutoCAD. With videos up to an hour long, the longer form takes you into the intricacies of architecture and floor planning. For example, this first offering takes you step-by-step through the details of creating a house floor plan.
Autocad – Complete floor plan for beginners – Exercise: Care home
Free AutoCAD tutorials③:Website
If you prefer something a bit more structured, you might want to take a real course or get your information straight from the source. These sites offer lessons and insights straight from the professionals themselves. They offer structured courses, real-life case studies and a deeper understanding of AutoCAD’s capabilities. Here are two notable sites to consider for a more structured learning experience:
Autodesk University: This link takes you to all the AutoCAD offerings from Autodesk University. This is where Autodesk collects videos, slides and other educational material from their live conferences. Not recommended for absolute beginners, but if you want to see what the leaders in the field are doing, this is the place to be!
For instance, one class offered is, “Adopting Reality Computing for Plant Design” by Scott Diaz managing director for kubit USA, and John Bunn who has 17 years of experience in plant designing plant design software. The proclaim purpose of the class being:
At the end of this class, you will be able to:
- Learn how to adopt point cloud workflows within the 2015 Plant Design
Suite software.
- Gain insight from user experiences regarding what to expect with the new
Autodesk technology.
- Understand the recommended steps for preparing laser scan projects
within your Autodesk design package.
- Discover how to extract typically needed plant deliverables from point
clouds; such as intelligent models, tie-ins and more. (Autodesk University)
Coursera: Coursera has a number of courses you can take, some hosted by Autodesk, for AutoCAD including Mechanical Engineering, Design and Drafting, Digital Manufacturing, Product Development and more!
While most of the courses are not free, there is a free 7-day trial that you can take advantage of if you are considering whether or not to give it a go. And don’t forget that completed courses can lead to certification. One such course is:
Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep
- Draw and organize objects, use advanced editing functions, and draw accurately using the User Coordinate System.
- Create and manage your layouts, outputs, printings, and use annotation techniques like markup tools, hatch and fill, multileaders, and dimensioning.
- Perform drawing management techniques, use blocks for efficiency, and control external reference and underlay files. (Coursera)
Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for taking the Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting exam.
AutoCAD Tips and Advice
Command Line: Don’t overlook the command line. It’s a powerful tool for executing commands. You can type commands directly, and AutoCAD will provide prompts and options.
Dynamic Input: Enable dynamic input (DYN mode). This allows you to input commands and values directly on the drawing area, making the process more interactive.
Ortho and Polar Tracking: Learn to use Ortho mode (F8) for straight lines and Polar Tracking for specified angles. This ensures accuracy in your drawings.
Snap and Grid: Use the snap and grid features to align and draw precisely. Adjust their settings to suit your needs.
Drawing Units: Set your drawing units correctly to match the scale of your project. This ensures accurate measurements.
Save Incrementally: Save your work frequently, and consider using incremental file names. This way, you can easily go back to previous versions if needed.
Stay Updated: AutoCAD evolves, so stay updated with the latest features and improvements. Autodesk regularly releases updates with new functionalities.
This article explains AutoCAD modelling and rendering methods.
AutoCAD Practice
Remember, you can watch all the tutorials in the world, but if you don’t practise, they won’t work. Practice is the unsung hero of learning. It’s not just about watching tutorials, it’s about putting what you’ve learned into practice. As you venture into the world of AutoCAD, unleash your imagination by creating projects that allow you to practice each new skill.
These projects will serve as your personal playground to experiment, refine and solidify your understanding. Remember, true mastery is not just about accumulating knowledge, but translating that knowledge into practical skills. So don’t just be a passive learner – be an active creator and watch your skills develop with each project.
For practical AutoCAD training, this online training course is recommended. In just two days, you can master skills that apply to the workplace.
Conclusion
AutoCAD is a powerful tool used to create a wide range of projects. These tutorials will help you learn how to use AutoCAD to its full potential.
Whether you choose the efficiency of keyboard shortcuts, the flexibility of YouTube tutorials or structured courses from platforms such as Autodesk Knowledge Network, Lynda.com, Pluralsight, Udemy and Coursera, the variety of options ensures a tailored learning experience.
But true mastery comes from hands-on practice, emphasised by the encouragement to engage in creative projects. AutoCAD isn’t just software; it’s a gateway to limitless creativity, and by taking advantage of the wealth of free tutorials available, users can unlock the full potential of the software, making their learning journey both rewarding and educational.
