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CCAD's AutoCAD Tutorials
Auto Number and Convert to Mtextmore
Watch our new video to learn how to add a numeric incrementing prefix or suffix to text and convert single line text to multiline text using Auto Number and Convert to Mtext.
The Breakline Symbolmore
Learn how to add and customize a breakline symbol with this CCAD tutorial video.
Creating Custom Hatch Patternsmore
AutoCAD includes numerous hatch patterns, but sometimes a custom pattern is required. These three tutorials cover creating hatch patterns for ceiling grids and floor tiles using Continuous Line, Dashed Line and Delta‑X Offset Pattern Lines.
Learn about the new Group features in AutoCAD 2012more
Groups have existed in AutoCAD but there are several new features in AutoCAD 2012. Learn about them and practice with this new tutorial!
Saving to Older AutoCAD formatsmore
If you share your AutoCAD drawings with others you may need to save your drawings in an older format. See this quick tip to learn more.
Workspaces and Profilesmore
Workspaces and Profiles contain settings and preferences regarding your working environment. Which settings are stored in Workspaces and which ones in Profiles? Can Workspaces and Profiles be saved in case my computer crashes? Can Workspaces and Profiles be transferred or imported to other computers? Watch the video to find out!
Exploring Associative Arraysmore
AutoCAD 2012 introduced several new wrinkles to creating patterns of objects, the associative array. One of the many features of an associative array is the ability to modify the pattern long after the command is finished.
Speed up Object Creation with Add Selected and Select Similarmore
Select an object, right-click and choose Add Selected to launch the command used to create the selected object. The new object(s) inherit the general properties of the selected object and special properties of certain objects. The Select Similar command lets you quickly choose objects with the properties of a select object.
Editing Using Multifunctional Grips
You can manipulate objects via commands like MOVE, COPY, STRETCH, etc. or use a grip editing mode. Select an object and blue boxes called GRIPS appear at significant locations on the object. Think of GRIPS as handles that control the size and location of an object. To activate a GRIP just select one of the blue GRIP boxes (cold GRIP). The GRIP turns red (hot GRIP) and you can STRETCH the object. Press ENTER or SPACE and cycle to the MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE and MIRROR modes. Make sure to press ESC when finished with the grip editing mode to unselect the object.
AutoCAD 2012 introduced multi-functional GRIPS. For many objects, when you hover over a GRIP a menu is displayed. The menu is object specific and sometimes GRIP specific. You can select the editing option from the initial menu or press CTRL to cycle through the options at any time during the GRIP editing process.
Check out our three new tutorials on how to edit lines, circles and linear dimensions using multifunctional grips.
Drawing Background Colorsmore
The drawing background color, as well as a host of other screen elements colors, is controlled using the OPTIONS command. This tutorial contains a video to show you how to customize your drawing environment.
ANSI Hatch Patternsmore
Ever have trouble remembering which hatch pattern to use for Steel, Brass or Aluminum? Check out our quick reference image.
Using the @ Symbolmore
The @ symbol can be used to input the "last point" in response to any prompt that requests a point value. When combined with a Cartesian or polar coordinate, the @ symbol produces a point value relative (measured from) the "last point".
Managing Units and Measurements more
“Prior to starting my drawing, I set the units to feet in the decimal format. I would just like to have the "feet" symbol in all of my dimensions, but do not know how to do it. I tried switching to engineering mode and it converted everything to inches.”
There are a couple of common misconceptions related to the UNITS command.
Wildcard Patternsmore
Wildcards are used to specify a list of names, like layer names and block names. Most AutoCAD users are familiar with the typical wildcards used, * (asterisk) and ? (question). For instance, if you want to turn on all the layers in the drawing, select the LAYER command (-Layer in 2000), then the ON option. Type * to specify all layers to be turned on.
Using Fence to Select Objectsmore
Many AutoCAD commands prompt you to Select objects. AutoCAD provides several different methods of selecting objects. Most of the time you probably select objects for commands like Move, Copy, and Erase by picking them individually or with a Window Box or a Crossing Box.
One of the other methods of selecting objects is with a Fence. A fence is like an open crossing box, it selects the objects touched by the fence. Unlike the crossing box, the fence does not enclose objects, so even if you surround a group of objects with a fence, they will not be selected.
Entering Coordinates with Direct Distance Entrymore
A simplified method of entering coordinates when the distance and direction from the last point are known is called Direct Distance Entry. In a nutshell, Direct Distance Entry eliminates the need for most keyboard entry of coordinates. Direct Distance Entry can be used anytime a command prompts for a point.
Object Snap Trackingmore
AutoCAD r14 has several new Object Snap features to help you draw better and faster. One of the new features is tracking. Tracking is an object snap enhancement that allows you to build a new point.
Rotate with a Reference Optionmore
Often when assembling parts it is necessary to rotate one component to mate with another. When rotating parts in this situation, the rotation is frequently unknown. This tutorial will teach you how to rotate an object to mate with another.
Recovering From Disastermore
First, let's narrow the field a bit and define disaster from an AutoCAD user's point of view.
- The computer ate my file! I saved it last night but now it's gone!
- The power went out or the computer locked up and I didn't save!
- When I try to open my drawing, I get a message that my drawing needs recovery.
- Every time I try to open my file, I get a message that says Fatal Error.
- I accidentally deleted my drawing file!
In this tutorial I'll show you how to cope with these AutoCAD disasters. In some cases you'll have to prepare in advance.
Quick Dimensionsmore
One of the new features of AutoCAD 2000 that I believe will be a great time saver is Quick Dimensions. Quick Dimensions allows you to select a group of objects and automatically apply baseline, continuous, staggered, ordinate, radius or diameter dimensions. Although the dimensions often need to be tweaked a little, this promises to be a popular feature.