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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
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Adding Sunlight to your Drawings
This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model. Format: Text/Image
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AutoCAD to Photoshop
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User Co-ordinate Systems
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Modifying Objects
Modification of objects is at the heart of 3D modelling. Once geometry has been created using the most appropriate method then the modeller will start the modification process. This comprehensive tutorial shows you how. Format: Text/Image
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Dimensioning
This tutorial describes the options and commands available for dimensioning drawings and how to use them. The correct use of AutoCADs dimension tools is the key to producing clear and concise measured drawings. Format: Text/Image
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Drawing Aids
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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.
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CADTutor Forums
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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.
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Tip of the Day
Offset to the current layer
When you use the offset command, the new object always ends up on the same layer as the source object. That's the default option but you can have objects offset to the current layer.
Start the Offset command, from the pull-down menu or OFFSET from the command line. At the prompt, enter L for "Layer" and then C for "Current". Now, each time you use Offset, objects will be created on the current layer.
To set Offset back to the default, use the same sequence but enter S for "Source".
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