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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
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Entering Survey Data using AutoCAD
These techniques apply to basic CAD programs such as AutoCAD, IntelliCAD, etc. If you have a civil/survey program or add-on, such as Land Desktop, SurvCADD, Eagle Point, etc., then there are built-in tools for entering lines and curves. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
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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
Last visited: 3 minutes ago
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All About Shadows
This tutorial considers the various options for creating shadows when rendering 3D models. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 4 minutes ago
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Creating a Walkthrough
This tutorial shows how to create an animated walkthrough of your AutoCAD 3D model using 3DS MAX 5. All you need to start is an AutoCAD drawing with some 3D content. The end result will be a .AVI file which can be viewed on any Windows PC. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 5 minutes ago
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User Co-ordinate Systems
This tutorial describes what UCSs are, why we need them and how to use them. The correct use of UCSs with AutoCAD is the key to producing good 3D models and they can also help with 2D work. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 5 minutes ago
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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
Last visited: 7 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.
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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
Dual Dimensions in a Dimension Style
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #147
Originally published: August 2016
‘Alternate Units’ doesn't always mean Metric.
To follow along, set the current Dimension style to one you like. The following exercise begins with a Dimension Style with the Unit format set to Architectural on the Primary Units tab.
How to Display Ft′-In″ as well as Inches
Launch the Dimension Style dialog box [Alias: D], click New and enter a name, then click Continue.
Click the Alternate Units tab.
In the upper left corner, put a check in the box for Display Alternate Units.
Set the Unit Format to Fractional.
Note: I would suggest you set the values for the Precision and the Round off to the same values as those on the Primary Units tab.
Set the Multiplier for Alt Units to 1.00.
In the Suffix edit box, put the inch marks ( ″ ).
The last setting you may want to make is to set the Placement feature radio button (under the preview) to Below Primary Value.
Click OK, Close the Dimension Style dialog box, then check out your new dimension!
See all the articles published in August 2016
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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12th – 18th January 2026
This week's image is by arjun_samar
Software used: 3ds Max with V-Ray and Photoshop
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Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by tutt
Software used: AutoCAD Architecture 2011
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Two Weeks Ago
This image is by Alex Moiceanu
Software used: AutoCAD 2012
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Three Weeks Ago
This image is by Noahma
Software used: AutoCAD Architecture 2009
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
Easily set properties for multiple blocks in Tool Palettes
Lots of people think that when you have blocks saved in a Tool Palette, you have to each individual block to apply custom settings. What if you have 20 blocks and you want them all to have the same setting? Well, just hold the Ctrl key and highlight the blocks you want within the Tool Palette, then right click on any of the selected blocks to apply global settings.
Also, you can hold the Ctrl key to select your first block, then hold the Shift key to select the last block, then right click on any of the selected blocks to apply a global settings. Makes things much easier than one at a time.
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.