Learn AutoCAD with our Free Tutorials
Welcome to CADTutor
CADTutor provides the best free tutorials and articles for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and associated applications along with a friendly community forum. If you need to learn AutoCAD, or you want to be more productive, you're in the right place. See our tip of the day to start learning right now!
Free Tutorials and More…
The Tutorials section provides over 100 original tutorials for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and other design applications. Michael’s Corner is an archive of productivity articles that brings you the best AutoCAD tips and tricks. Our Forum is a lively community where AutoCAD users can ask questions and get answers. The Downloads area provides free AutoCAD blocks, free AutoLISP routines and free images.
Tutorials of the Moment
Recently viewed tutorials
-
ISO Paper Sizes
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 6 minutes ago
-
Object Selection
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 12 minutes ago
-
All About Shadows
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 19 minutes ago
-
Loft Mapping
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 20 minutes ago
-
Dimensioning
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 24 minutes ago
-
Drawing Aids
Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 32 minutes ago
CADTutor Tutorials
Our tutorials are comprehensive but straightforward introductions to AutoCAD and related software. They are designed to help beginners get to grips with design workflows as quickly as possible. There are over 100 to choose from, some text/image based and others in video format. Whatever stage you are at in your learning, you should find a tutorial to help.
Forum Latest
Currently Active Topics
LLM-based Autocad automation
by Dmytro
2 replies
Last post: 1 hour ago
Integrate lisp routines in AutoCAD template
by EIA
9 replies
Last post: 3 hours ago
Curve Flat 3D Object
by Mitch Owen
3 replies
Last post: 8 hours ago
Need a batch find and replace text inside of a block the text is just normal text
by afritz0108
2 replies
Last post: 9 hours ago
"I" wrote an insane LISP, well, insane for my standards. probably cake for y'all.
by RubberDinero
2 replies
Last post: 10 hours ago
AutoLISP Beginner - automatic offset idea based on nearby plines
by highrise_uk
3 replies
Last post: 12 hours ago
This Week's Hot Topics
Request For Assistance In Editing Texts
by mehrdad
35 replies
Viewed: 742 times
Help Converting Excel Formula to AutoLISP for Object Length Calculation
by HungTran
9 replies
Viewed: 303 times
Integrate lisp routines in AutoCAD template
by EIA
9 replies
Viewed: 232 times
Test DWG to determine if it contains Civil 3D Objects
by _civilpe
6 replies
Viewed: 248 times
select blocks inside another block by lisp
by shokoufeh
5 replies
Viewed: 266 times
vlax-safearray-fill
by Mystogan
5 replies
Viewed: 185 times
CADTutor Forums
Our forum is a vibrant community of experts and beginners. The main focus is helping beginners get to grips with AutoCAD and to help more advanced users become more productive. The AutoLISP forum is one of the busiest out there, providing expert advice for busy professionals.
AutoCAD Productivity
Drawing Information
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #137
Originally published: December 2014
For billing purposes, it's nice to know how long you have spent working in a drawing. To that end, the Time command may be a helpful resource, especially given the elapsed time feature that can be toggled ON and OFF, and can also be Reset.
Command: TIME Current time: Sunday, November 23, 2014 3:44:54:790 PM Times for this drawing: Created: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 2:42:44:984 PM Last updated: Sunday, November 23, 2014 9:59:28:105 AM Total editing time: 0 days 04:45:06:399 Elapsed timer (off): 0 days 04:44:32:866 Next automatic save in: 0 days 00:07:30:395 Enter option [Display/ON/OFF/Reset]:
To keep track of your time in the drawing, launch the Time command, then begin the elapsed timer with the ON option. When finished, use the OFF option to display the total editing time. The above information indicates that I was editing the drawing for a little more than 30 seconds - 04:44:32 to 04:45:06.
DWGPROPS [ ] Another useful tool for quick information may be the Dwgprops command found in the ‘scarlet letter’. It's nice to have the Location and Size information immediately available, rather than going out to Save As.
See all the articles published in December 2014
Michael's Corner
Between 2003 and 2016, Michael Beall (and one or two guests) wrote almost 600 articles for CADTutor. The focus of these articles is AutoCAD productivity, and although some of them are now more than a few years old, most remain relevant to current versions of AutoCAD. The article above is just one example. Check out Michael's Corner for a full listing.
Image of the Week
Gallery of Work
Over the years, our forum members have contributed hundreds of images, showcasing their amazing work. The images above are just a small selection that demonstrate the wide range of project types our community is involved with. Take a look at our gallery to see all the images published in the last 12 months.
Tip of the Day
Fillet solid objects
The Fillet command can be used to fillet solid objects as well as just the usual 2D stuff. Not only does the Fillet command fillet edges but it also correctly mitres the corners where two filleted edges meet.
Missed a Tip?
Did you miss yesterday's tip? Maybe you forgot to drop by or maybe you don't visit over the weekend. If so, you can now see all the tips published during the past week. Also, if you have a tip you'd like to share with us, you can post it on our forum and if we like it, we'll publish it here.