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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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Perspectives, Slides and Scripts
AutoCAD can be used to create a simple "walk through" of any 3D model. This tutorial shows you how. Format: Text/Image
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Modifying Objects
This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case. Format: Text/Image
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Setting up a PostScript Plotter
How to set up a PostScript Plotter. Format: Text/Image
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Units and Scales
If you're asking yourself "what scale do I draw in?" or "what units should I use?", you need this tutorial. Format: Text/Image
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Basic 3D and Surface Modelling
Although AutoCAD has a number of commands for creating special 3D objects, a lot can be achieved by changing the properties of basic 2D objects like polylines. This tutorial provides a basic introduction to creating and viewing 3D objects. Format: Text/Image
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Options for Creating Objects
There are a number of ways of creating the three main elements of a landscape scene, surfaces, edges and objects, each one demending an understanding of the creation methods and tools at hand. This tutorial shows you how. Format: Text/Image
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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
Shorten the Plot Scales List in a Viewport
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #140
Originally published: June 2015
If you plot from a viewport on a Layout tab, and you have a specific collection of plot scales you typically use, you may be interested in editing that list to display only the ones you need to see.
There are other approaches to accessing the same plot scale regularly, but this is one of the most straightforward.
How to Modify the List of Plot Scales
When you're in a viewport, click the location on the Status bar where you see the scale/factor for the current viewport.
Scroll to the bottom, then click Custom… to open the Edit Drawing Scales dialog box.
I would recommend keeping 1:1, but then select those plot scales you really don't need, then click Delete.
Organize the ones you use all the time by using Move Up or Move Down.

Note: If you totally gom it up, you can always hit Reset, then choose your desired collection of either Imperial, Metric, or both.
See all the articles published in June 2015
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
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5th – 11th October 2026
This week's image is by mitchellrodhous
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Last Week's Image
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Tip of the Day
Extend/Trim commands
While in the middle of either of the Trim or Extend command, you don't have to exit out of one to start the other; they're virtually the same command. So if you're using Trim, and need to Extend, simply hold down the SHIFT key and it will convert to the Extend command, and vice-versa.
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