Introduction to AutoCAD: 2D Drawing Production

This AutoCAD course covers the core aspects of creating drawings using AutoCAD, it is taught predominantly using the 2D interface but looks at 3D modelling in the later stages. Students taking this course come from a wide variety of industries including engineering, architecture, exhibition and events, construction, and product design.

The course is taught through demonstrations and specific AutoCAD drawing tasks designed to embed skills and knowledge.  The course covers:

• AutoCAD user interface
• Drawing and modification toolsUsing and creating blocks
• Creating and using templates
• Working in ModelSpace and PaperSpace
• Using layers
• Editing line styles and properties
• Text, dimensions and hatching – using annotative scale
• Working with and using Xreference drawings
• Plotting and publishing
• Introduction to drawing in 3D

After enrolment students can use their City email account* to register and download the Student version of AutoCAD for free. For information about system requirements please see the Autodesk website.  (* IT account instructions are sent in joining instructions email  in due course after payment)

The teaching is done on a PC but is compatible with Autocad on a Mac.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Operate the user interface
• Complete exercises using AutoCAD tools
• Produce and edit 2D scale drawings using layers and other tools
• Plot out drawings to scale and other requirements.

Who is it for?

This course has been designed for those who want to learn how to create drawings in AutoCAD. Students taking this course come from a wide variety of industries including, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, construction, electronics and product design.

Timetable

This computing short course takes place on a weekday evening over ten weeks.

City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

AutoCAD is the most widely used computer-aided design software for producing architectural, engineering and construction drawings. Learn the skills essential across a wide range of industries.

• Each class covers a specific topic with demonstrations and CAD tasks designed to embed knowledge.

The planned content covers:

• AutoCAD Interface
  • Ribbon tool
  • Drawing area
  • XYZ coordinates
  • Command line
  • Status bar
  • Model space drawing area.
  • PaperSpace presentation area
  • Units
• Drawing and Modification tools
  • Explore the range of drawing commands used to create drawings such as: Line, Polyline, Circle, Arc,
  • Explore a range of modification tools used to manipulate your drawings such as: Trim/extend, mirror, array, fillet/chamfer
• ModelSpace/PaperSpace
  • Drawings are produced in the ModelSpace area and presented to scales in the PaperSpace pages
• Blocks and WBlocks
  • You will be shown how to insert blocks of existing CAD drawings into your drawings such as doors and windows in buildings.
  • You will be shown how to create parts of your drawings into blocks and save them in your library to use for other drawings
• Templates Using and Creating templates
  • You will create your own template file
  • This file will have your own text and Dimension styles and an information box on the PaperSpace pages
• Text and Dimension styles – Unsing Annotative scale
  • You will learn how to apply dimensions to your drawing.
  • You will use Annotative dimensions to enable the style of the dimension to interact with the scale and size of the drawing.
• Hatching
• Xreference drawing
  • Xreference drawing enable CAD files to combine and work on simultaneously
• 3D introduction
  • We will look at some of the core commands of 3D solid modelling
  • Extrude, box, sphere, Boolean Commands (Union, Subtract and Intersect)
  • Perspective
  • Orthographic Projection layouts

By the end of the course, you will be able to

• Understand the interface and methodology of producing CAD drawings
• Produce, edit and present 2D drawings
• Apply text and Dimensions to your drawings
• Use layers effectively to separate or distinguish different parts of your drawing
• Use external drawings within your drawings in the form or Xreferencing
• Calculate elements of your drawing such as area, volume
• Produce Solid model objects using some 3D tools
• Plot out drawings to scale and other requirements

You will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

Assessment

Informal assessment will take place during the classes. The classes cover specific topics during each class which is supported by Drawing activities to support and embed skills and knowledge.  We have several longer drawing tasks which combine many of the skills learnt, Students can undertake these longer drawing tasks independently which can be assessed against professional standards

Computer literacy and some involvement in a profession where CAD is used.

English requirements

Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.

The tutor will provide materials in class.