Training course

Autodesk AutoCAD Essentials

This course is designed for the new AutoCAD® user who requires comprehensive training in AutoCAD. It incorporates the features, commands, and techniques for creating, editing, and printing drawings with AutoCAD LT. Hands-on exercises throughout the course explore how to create 2D production drawings.

  • 3 Days
  • Online or in person
  • Private courses available
Download outline (PDF)

Course Objectives

  • The primary objective of this course is to teach the student the basic commands necessary for professional 2D drawing, design, and drafting using AutoCAD. Upon completion of the course, the student will: • Become familiar with the AutoCAD user interface. • Understand the fundamental concepts and features of AutoCAD. • Use the precision drafting tools in AutoCAD to develop accurate technical drawings. • Present drawings in a detailed and visually impressive manner. • Develop a level of comfort and confidence with AutoCAD through hands-on experience.

Prerequisites

  • No previous CAD experience is necessary. However, drafting, design, or engineering experience is a plus. It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of Microsoft supported systems.

Who it's for

  • This course is designed for the new user of current AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

Included

  • Lunch and refreshments when training is delivered at our training venues

Course content Back to top

  1. DAY 1
    INTRODUCTION TO AUTODESK AUTOCAD • Starting the Software • User Interface • Working with Commands • Cartesian Workspace • Opening an Existing Drawing File • Saving a Drawing File BASIC DRAWING & EDITING COMMANDS • Drawing Lines • Erasing Objects • Drawing Lines with Polar Tracking • Drawing Rectangles • Drawing Circles • Undo and Redo Actions PROJECTS - CREATING A SIMPLE DRAWING • Create a Simple Drawing • Create Simple Shapes DRAWING PRECISION IN AUTOCAD • Using Running Object Snaps • Using Object Snap Overrides • Polar Tracking at Angles • Object Snap Tracking • Drawing with Snap and Grid MAKING CHANGES IN YOUR DRAWING • Selecting Objects for Editing • Moving Objects • Copying Objects • Rotating Objects • Scaling Objects • Mirroring Objects • Editing with Grips PROJECTS - MAKING YOUR DRAWINGS MORE PRECISE • Schematic Project: Electronics Diagram • Architectural Project: Landscape • Mechanical Project (with Polar & Tracking) • Mechanical Project: Surge Protector • Mechanical Project: Satellite
  2. DAY 2
    ORGANIZING YOUR DRAWING WITH LAYERS • Creating New Drawings With Templates • What are Layers? • Layer States • Changing an Object’s Layer ADVANCED OBJECT TYPES • Drawing Arcs • Drawing Polylines • Editing Polylines • Drawing Polygons • Drawing Ellipses ANALYSING MODEL AND OBJECT PROPERTIES • Working with Object Properties • Measuring Objects PROJECTS - DRAWING ORGANIZATION & INFORMATION • Architectural Project • Mechanical Project • Civil Project ADVANCED EDITING COMMANDS • Trimming and Extending Objects • Stretching Objects • Creating Fillets and Chamfers • Offsetting Objects • Creating Arrays of Objects INSERTING BLOCKS • What are Blocks? • Working with Dynamic Blocks • Inserting Blocks • Inserting Blocks using the Tool Palettes • Inserting Blocks using the DesignCenter • Inserting Blocks using the Content Explorer PROJECTS - CREATING MORE COMPLEX OBJECTS • Mechanical Plate • Architectural Floor Plan SETTING UP A LAYOUT • Printing Concepts • Working in Layouts • Creating Layouts • Creating Layout Viewports • Guidelines for Layouts
  3. DAY 3
    PRINTING YOUR DRAWING • Printing Layouts • Print and Plot Settings PROJECTS - PREPARING TO PRINT • Mechanical Project • Architectural Project TEXT • Working with Annotations • Adding Text in a Drawing • Modifying Multiline Text • Formatting Multiline Text • Adding Notes with Leaders to Your Drawing • Creating Tables HATCHING • Hatching • Editing Hatches ADDING DIMENSIONS • Dimensioning Concepts • Adding Linear Dimensions • Adding Radial and Angular Dimensions • Editing Dimensions PROJECTS - ANNOTATING YOU’RE DRAWING • Mechanical Project • Architectural Project • Civil Project

Public dates and prices Back to top

Prices are per delegate and exclude VAT.

  • Tuesday 3 November 2026

    Durham 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1425+ VAT

  • Tuesday 8 December 2026

    Virtual, live online 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1275+ VAT

  • Tuesday 1 June 2027

    Virtual, live online 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1275+ VAT

  • Tuesday 3 August 2027

    Virtual, live online 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1275+ VAT

  • Tuesday 5 October 2027

    Virtual, live online 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1275+ VAT

  • Tuesday 7 December 2027

    Virtual, live online 3 days 9:30–16:30

    £1275+ VAT

Can't make these dates? Ask about a private course on a date that suits you.

Training a team?

Run this course privately, on your dates

  • Public Scheduled Fixed course content, fixed date, fixed location, fixed length, multiple organisations - All you need to do is choose which course you would like to attend and contact us to book!
  • Private Flexible course content, flexible training date(s), flexible location(s), variable course length, private to your organisation - Courses can be held at one of our training venues or at another location convenient to you. Training can be set over a number of days or weeks to allow for practice time between training sessions.
  • Bespoke Bespoke private training can be based on an existing course or a number of lessons taken from several courses, we can also write bespoke courses for you based on your in-house systems or development program.
  • Virtual These courses can be attended from anywhere.

What delegates say Back to top

“Really enjoyed the breakdown of seeing our own accounts, double clicks etc.”
M.O., Durham County Council, Google Ads

What were the most useful aspects of the course

“Learning how to deal with stress and recognise it”
J.F., Welwyn Components Ltd, Stress Management and Powering up Your Mental Resilience

Which part of the course did you find particularly valuable

“The trainer allowed us to ask questions and was able to give me advice on how to handle a particular scenario I struggle with at work”
B.P., Tlw Solicitors, Telephone Skills
“Excellent, very enjoyable. Well Presented”
G.T., Houghton International, Word Essentials
“An enjoyable day!”
R.G., James Jones and Sons Ltd, Excel Level 2
“I did the course remotely from home and found it very useful.”
H.N., Watmos, Microsoft Teams in Office 365 Essentials
“All very informative”
I.G., Blue Phoenix, Managing your Inbox using Microsoft Outlook

What were the most useful aspects of the course

“Dealing with customers”
S.O., Ssaib, Telephone Skills

Other courses in this series Back to top

  • You are here Autodesk AutoCAD Essentials
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Intermediate

    This course is designed for the experienced AutoCAD user who requires additional training. It incorporates the features, commands, and…

Please contact us to discuss your Autodesk AutoCAD Essentials course, we have many solutions available to ensure you receive the best training possible.

Your AutoCAD course can be delivered online or in-person. You can choose your learning path and delivery style. Learn in-person or online with our virtual classrooms. Your course can be delivered online, at your office or at one of our training venues, it's your choice. Small course sizes. Course materials included. Flexible Autodesk AutoCAD Essentials course content. Expert trainers and tried & tested training methods. Many course materials available online using your personal training account. You can master AutoCAD, please contact us to book a place or get a quote for your Autodesk AutoCAD Essentials course.

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IT Training Solutions Ltd
Oakville, 14 Durham Road West, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5AU
0191 377 8377
ittrainingsolutions.co.uk

Printed: 10/20/2026 10:17:43 PM