Unlock the power of AutoCAD with our comprehensive three-day course, specifically designed for beginners in interior design and architecture. This engaging course serves as your gateway to mastering AutoCAD’s fundamentals, with a strong focus on 2D tools and essential techniques for creating accurate and professional 2D drawings.

Guided by our experienced tutor, you will build confidence in navigating the AutoCAD interface and utilising a range of drawing aids. The course will cover practical skills such as working with reusable content, organizing your projects and managing your layouts through hands-on and step by step exercises.

Over the duration of the course, you will explore the key features of 2D drawing and editing tools, line types, line weights and layers. You will master the creation of basic geometry, learn how to create and manipulate reusable content and produce accurate plans, elevations and sections. Work with various scales and effectively use the dimensioning and annotating tools. Additionally, the course will cover essential skills in printing/plotting your drawings at correct scales.

Beyond the basics, the course also offers insights into best practices for efficiency and accuracy in AutoCAD. You will explore time-saving techniques, customisation options, and troubleshooting tips to enhance your workflow.

This course is open to applicants with basic technical drawing skills and intermediate computer literacy, the course emphasizes practical application through hands-on exercises. By the end of the course, you will have not only a solid foundation in AutoCAD but also the skills and confidence to produce high-quality 2D drawings at various scales efficiently and professionally. Join us to transform your drafting skills and advance your career in the field of 2D drafting.

Topics covered:

• What is AutoCAD
• Understanding AutoCAD’s Workflow
• Differences between PC and MAC user interfaces
• Differences between Drawing files and Templates
• Overview of the User Interface
• Navigation tools and methods
• Selection methods
• Using and personalising a Template
• Drawing Utilities, Units and Options
• Understanding and using Commands: A key feature of AutoCAD
• Drawing tools: Line, Polyline, Rectangle, Circle, Arc, Ellipse
• Editing tools: Move, Copy, Rotate, Scale, Stretch, Trim, Extend, Mirror, Offset, Fillet, Join, Explode
• Drawing accurately to specific dimensions and angles
• Configuring Object Snaps and Object Snap Tracking drawing aids
• Using Inquiry commands: Quick, Distance, Radius, Angle, Area
• Importance of using layers: Organising drawings
• Creating Layers and setting the: Line Weights, Line Types, Colours
• Assigning and moving objects to the correct layers
• Layer visibility: On/Off, Freeze
• Creating, using and editing reusable objects: Blocks
• Resources for downloading free blocks
• Working with Layouts: Creating and Editing Viewports, Setting and Locking the correct Scale
• Adding Dimensions and Annotations to your drawings
• Hatching objects
• Printing/Plotting your drawings to PDFs

All computer-aided design courses are taught on PC computers at the Bloomsbury Campus.

Included

All materials for this course are included in the course fee.

All necessary equipment will be provided for use on the course, including the use of a PC for each student.

What students need to bring

• Notepad and pen

Additional information

Possible equipment restrictions in tutor absence.

Daily Timetable

Course teaching 10am–4.15pm
Students arrive 9.30am-10.00am (coffee optional) 
Morning teaching 10am-1pm
Lunch break 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm–4.15pm (15 minute break)
Teaching finishes 4.15pm

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions