Simple AutoCAD Rules For Better Drawings!
Tips for Faster & Consistent Design
Hey All,
I hope you had a great week and are enjoying a warm spring weekend! It’s been a busy few weeks here with spring break for the kids and a handful of projects needing to be wrapped up and sent out.
We also got to get away for a few days to Vancouver with the Kids to hang out and check out Monster Jam! :)
I’m looking forward to the coming months and warm weather though, and can’t wait to share some new content and updates with you along the way.
This week I wanted to focus on AutoCAD and in particular some high-level and highly important workflows/commands that every Designer, Drafter, and Engineer using CAD should know!
Let’s jump into today’s email
Quick Tip:
Are you using Fields in AutoCAD? Fields allow us to automate pieces of text information throughout a drawing.
We can use the built in fields to automatically populate a piece of text with a viewports scale, pull areas from objects for quantity tables, or simple keep dates and revisions consistent throughout a drawing package!
Whether you need a refresher or haven’t tried fields at all, check out this video to get started today:
AutoCAD How To Automate Text using FIELDS
AutoCAD Tips for Better Drawings & Faster Design:
It can take years to master any software and AutoCAD is no exception; in fact it may take longer to master than almost any software I’ve ever used.
That’s a big part of why I’ve spent so many years teaching and sharing tips in my Courses/Training and youtube channel.
There’s good news though, by learning and mastering just a handful of tools and simple workflows in #AutoCAD you can not only save hours every week you will immediately produce higher quality, more consistent drawings!
Follow this simple Framework to see results:
1. Start with a template:
Probably the biggest time-saver and best practice for consistency/standards is to start every new drawing with a template.
Ideally, your template will include all of your company/personal text styles, layers, dims, title blocks, blocks, etc… By using the same template for each new .dwg you save a ton of time right from the start, but you also begin to standardize your drawing catalogue.
Making it easy to consistently produce a high-quality and repeatable product for your client.
2. Keep Dwgs Organized w/XRefs
Xrefs (External References) are the best way to keep drawings less cluttered and easier to work on.
They help manage file size since we can separate out large portions of base data, background info, or details and only reference them in drawings/sheets where they’re required.
In cases where we need to use a consistent base drawing, like a floor plan, we can simply reference it into the drawing and add the necessary info, Electrical linework for example. This way we can make changes and update the floor plan and the changes will be reflected in the drawings that use the floor plan Xref.
3. Create Blocks for Typical Objects
Understanding and taking advantage of re-usability in AutoCAD is imperative! Any time you find yourself copying or recreating the same objects multiple times, whether in a single project or over multiple projects, MAKE IT A BLOCK.
Creating blocks for standard and typical objects gives you consistency throughout your drawings as well as massive time-savings.
You can even set up multiple block libraries for different types of blocks/disciplines you may work one for better organization and faster access.
4. Use Layers (properly named ones at that)
There are few things more frustrating than receiving an AutoCAD drawing where the majority of the objects/text are on layer 0 or generic and undescriptive layers.
For the sanity of future users of your drawings and more importantly, co-workers that may be helping on a project in the future.
Use a standard layer naming system.
Many companies will require you to use a template and standard for layers but if you are doing your own thing or working for yourself, I highly recommend looking at/using a standard naming convention like ones by NCS or AIA, etc...
5. Draw actual scale (1:1) in Model Space
This one’s pretty self-explanatory.
It’s a good habit and certainly best-practice when drawing in model space to create your objects and designs in full scale (1:1) in model space no matter what.
Any scaling and sizing for drawings/sheets can be done in the layout space using viewports at specific scales.
As common sense sounding as this may be, I still run into designers that ignore or don’t fully understand Model space and the power it has.
Draw at full size (1:1)!
6. Use Annotative Text/Dims
Along the same idea as drawing at 1:1 (real) scale in model space, it’s important to use and take advantage of Annotative Text and Dimensioning within your drawings.
By using Annotative objects, you have the freedom to create multiple viewports quickly that will all display the correct information regardless of the scale you want to show.
This can save a ton of time when it comes to creating details/blow-ups/zoom-ins as well as any time you need to change the scale of a viewport after you’ve already spent time annotating it.
All the text/dims etc will adjust automatically. As with many features and workflows, there are exceptions and best use-cases, but in general, you will save a lot of future headaches by taking advantage of Annotative objects in AutoCAD.
This is one that Pros/experienced users all use but often gets overlooked by new users!
7. Purge when finished
I like to think of Purging and other cleanup commands the same way we clean up after cooking a meal or completing a reno/project at home.
Once we’ve finished creating/cooking our meal it just wouldn't make sense to leave dirty dishes, mess and tools laying around for the next person to deal with.
Our drawings are similar, once we’ve finished our design and the layout/drawing is complete.
Take a few minutes to clean up your .dwg (drawing file.) so the next person that needs to use it or when you come back to it, it’s clean, uncluttered, and organized. Commands like Purge, Audit, Overkill and more are designed to help you cleanup and declutter a .dwg in a few minutes.
Need help or Want to Master these Workflow and More!?
If any of these Workflows or Tips are confusing for you or just haven't been implemented in your daily habits, take a look at my AutoCAD Fundamentals & Workflows Course here: http://cadintentions.com/hurry
The course covers everything mentioned above, plus it also walks you through the creation of a CAD Template, simply time-saving commands/tricks, and includes downloadable files and templates to get you going right away!
Get 15% off and improve your AutoCAD skillset now: http://cadintentions.com/hurry
Let me know what you’re struggling to master or need help with in AutoCAD in the comments below or on twitter: @cadintentions !
That’s all for today, I hope you enjoyed this week’s video and newsletter!
As always, thank you so much for reading and watching, I am super excited for the rest of the year, growing the content, tutorials, and blog with you all.
Cheers and happy Drafting!