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
-
Standard mapped materials - Image Maps
Image maps are applied to materials for many different purposes. They have to be scaled and positioned on the object using a UVW Map modifier or a Map Scaler modifier. This tutorial steps you through the process. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
-
Object Selection
This tutorial shows you the many ways AutoCAD objects can be selected. Covers the building of selection sets with implied windowing, fences etc. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
AutoLISP Quick Start
This tutorial is designed to help AutoCAD users get to grips with AutoLISP quickly. It demonstartes how to create AutoLISP routines from a standing start. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
Drawing Objects
Getting to grips with AutoCAD's basic drawing tools. This is an ideal start for the AutoCAD beginner. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
-
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
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
-
Stage 8: Assign Materials and Sky background
When surface and edge modelling has been completed and the lighting has been setup correctly, materials can then be assigned to surfaces and edges. This tutorial guides you through the process. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 4 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
This lisp puts dimensions on a pline, how can I have it put the dimensions above the pline? Also it doesn't put a dimension on the last line.
by Mitch Ellis
2 replies
Last post: 5 hours ago
Text disappears behind viewport
by Samr1979
1 reply
Last post: 5 hours ago
Civil Drafting with AutoCAD Project-Civil Drafting with AutoCAD Project
by nelsonm
9 replies
Last post: 12 hours ago
Problem plotting with ACAD2024
by diogenes666
12 replies
Last post: 16 hours ago
Dynamic Blocks corrupted after a while of usage in ZWCAD
by cad_tutee
4 replies
Last post: 23 hours ago
command OOPS...
by leonucadom
7 replies
Last post: 27 hours ago
This Week's Hot Topics
Civil Drafting with AutoCAD Project-Civil Drafting with AutoCAD Project
by nelsonm
9 replies
Viewed: 433 times
command OOPS...
by leonucadom
7 replies
Viewed: 311 times
3D Spline to Arcs
by lamensterms
6 replies
Viewed: 345 times
Dynamic Blocks corrupted after a while of usage in ZWCAD
by cad_tutee
4 replies
Viewed: 230 times
command breakline from lsp...
by leonucadom
3 replies
Viewed: 256 times
copy viewport and content...is it possible?
by leonucadom
2 replies
Viewed: 244 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
-
9th – 15th March 2026
This week's image is by H_3dmax
Software used: 3ds Max 2008
-
Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by Lazer
Software used: Inventor and Solid Edge
-
Two Weeks Ago
This image is by Miklos Fuccaro
Software used: AutoCAD 2006
-
Three Weeks Ago
This image is by craigp
Software used: AutoCAD 2007 and V-Ray
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
Dashboard's hidden depths
Did you know that there's more to the Dashboard than is apparent on the surface? When I first started working with it, I thought, "wouldn't it be great if all the 2D drawing tools were on there as well". Fortunately, they are. All you need to know is how to get at them.
Simply right-click on any part of the body of the Dashboard (not the vertical title bar) and select "Control panels" from the menu and then click "2D Draw control panel". You should see that the Draw and Modify toolbars are added as a new panel to the top of the dashboard.
Now you can keep your work area cleaner when using the 3D Modeling Workspace.
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.