AutoCAD is a powerful computer-aided design (CAD) software essential for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. This comprehensive introduction is meticulously crafted for beginners, offering a hands-on journey through its core functionalities. Over a focused 2.5-week period, you will acquire the fundamental skills to navigate the AutoCAD interface and execute essential commands for creating precise 2D drawings. This course is designed to build a robust foundation, enabling you to confidently produce professional-quality blueprints and construction documents.
Course Overview and Learning Objectives
This intensive, beginner-friendly course dives deep into the essential tools and workflows that power modern architectural and engineering design. Through a series of guided practices and practical, real-world exercises, you will transition from understanding the basics of the AutoCAD interface to creating complex design elements. The curriculum emphasizes a step-by-step approach, ensuring that learners can grasp and apply concepts effectively.
By the conclusion of this course, participants will be proficient in:
- Navigating the AutoCAD Interface: Gaining familiarity with the layout, menus, and essential tools.
- Core Drawing and Modification: Mastering fundamental commands for creating lines, arcs, circles, and shapes, as well as techniques for moving, copying, rotating, and scaling objects.
- Drawing Organization: Effectively utilizing layers, text styles, and dimensioning standards to create organized and readable drawings.
- Developing Drafting Symbols and Architectural Elements: Learning to create standardized symbols for plumbing, electrical, and structural components, as well as designing common fixtures and architectural features.
- Producing a Complete 2D Floor Plan: Synthesizing learned skills to create a detailed residential floor plan.
- Assembling Professional Construction Documents: Organizing individual drawings into a cohesive and polished construction document set, mirroring industry standards.
- Plotting and Presentation: Preparing drawings for print or digital submission with accurate scaling and layout configurations.
Essential Requirements and Enrollment Details
To ensure a smooth learning experience, a basic command of the Windows operating system is suggested. Students will need access to a PC running a supported version of Windows and must install Autodesk AutoCAD software. For those enrolled in the CAD/BIM Certificate program, free access to student software is provided upon verification. Individual course participants can opt for a free trial or purchase the software separately. Detailed download instructions will be provided on the first day of the course.
This is an accredited, asynchronous online course, offering flexibility for adult learners. Enrollment must be completed by 5 p.m. PT one day prior to the course start date. Access to course materials, including video instruction, will be available for 30 days post-enrollment. No specific textbook is required, though recommended texts may be suggested for further study.
Meet Your Instructor
The course is led by David Sellers, an experienced architect and Autodesk Certified Instructor with over a decade of hands-on experience with AutoCAD. David holds a Professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Penn State University and serves as the Curriculum Manager at the Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI). His extensive teaching background includes roles at UC San Diego Extended Studies, VDCI, and Makerplace. David is also actively pursuing his Architectural License in California.
Course Logistics and Policies
- Class Type: Online Asynchronous
- Duration: 2.5 weeks
- Suggested Prerequisite: Strong familiarity with the Windows environment.
- Enrollment Deadline: 5 PM PT, one day prior to the course start date.
- Software Access: Autodesk AutoCAD (free for certificate program students, trial/purchase for others).
- Course Materials: Included, unless otherwise stated.
- Refund Policy: No refunds after April 7, 2026.
- Enrollment: Early enrollment is strongly advised due to the course’s short duration and enrollment process.
This course provides the practical experience and technical knowledge necessary to produce accurate 2D drawings and organize them into professional deliverables, setting you on a clear path for career advancement or skill enhancement in the dynamic field of design and construction.