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
-
The UCS Icon
All about the UCS icon. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: less than one minute ago
-
Modifying Objects
This tutorial runs through all of the modify tools, demonstrating practical examples in each case. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: less than one minute ago
-
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: less than one minute ago
-
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: 1 minute ago
-
All About Images
This tutorial tells you all you need to know about working with images in AutoCAD. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
-
Creating Seamless Tiles
This tutorial shows you how to create perfectly seamless image tiles in Photoshop. The image tiles are perfect for creating image based materials in AutoCAD, MAX or Bryce. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute 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
Reload LineTypes in AutoCAD 2027 not working?
by Aftertouch
0 replies
Last post: 4 hours ago
Python, Clone Layout from another drawing
by Danielm103
0 replies
Last post: 13 hours ago
GNSS on AutoCAD
by PGia
22 replies
Last post: 17 hours ago
Change text color in AutoCAD Lt Tables Lisp request
by MSHR
23 replies
Last post: 17 hours ago
Drafix CAD Pro for Windows 10 and Windows 11
by pcg
2 replies
Last post: 17 hours ago
about grread deselect objects
by masao_8
12 replies
Last post: 26 hours ago
This Week's Hot Topics
Copying layouts with vla-CopyObjects breaks drawing
by buntobaggins
10 replies
Viewed: 545 times
AutoLISP: Safe alternative to (command "EXPLODE") inside a custom command
by p7q
5 replies
Viewed: 173 times
DIESEL of set/getenv not allowed?
by ScottMC
3 replies
Viewed: 284 times
Standard texts are hiding somehow can anyone please help??
by Vijay
1 reply
Viewed: 209 times
How to create field that shows text from a dimension
by ColinPearson
0 replies
Viewed: 119 times
Civil design using Bricscad and Civil Site Design.
by BIGAL
0 replies
Viewed: 107 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
Original Dimension Value
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #143
Originally published: December 2015
Since the dimension text of an associative dimension is Mtext, double-click anywhere on an associative dimension and you can add additional information… or modify the value to what you want.

But what if you want to put the dimension back to the original value?
Insights:
If you reposition an extension line origin grip of a dimension and the value doesn't change, the original value was modified.
If you double-click a dimension and the edit box has a white background — not blue — the original value was modified.

Solution:
Double-click the dimension, then put the less-than and greater-than characters in the dimension box, like this… <>
The original value will be restored.
See all the articles published in December 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
-
29th June to 5th July 2026
This week's image is by David Bethel
Software used: AutoCAD R12/R13 and Accurender
-
Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by boofrelday
Software used: SketchUp and Podium
-
Two Weeks Ago
This image is by CADken
Software used: SketchUp and Kerkythea
-
Three Weeks Ago
This image is by Jay C
Software used: Revit
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
Shift for fillet radius zero
Do you get fed up having to set your Fillet alternately to a radius value and then to 0 to get a right angle?
You don't have to! Just fillet your lines while holding down Shift and the current default fillet radius value will be ignored.
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.