Engineering Graphics with CAD

Course Description

ETD 1103C – Engineering Graphics with CAD is a combined lecture/laboratory course that introduces the fundamentals of engineering graphics using Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) software—primarily AutoCAD—as the primary drawing tool in place of traditional drafting instruments. Students develop spatial perception and the technical drawing skills necessary to create, read, and interpret engineering documents conforming to nationally recognized standards. The course is classified under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) taxonomy of Engineering Technologies > Engineering Design Drafting and is offered at multiple Florida College System institutions including Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) and Eastern Florida State College (EFSC).

Technical drafters and engineering technology students learn to translate ideas, sketches, calculations, and specifications into complete, accurate working drawings for use in the manufacture or construction of engineering projects. This course forms the foundational competency layer for subsequent CAD, design, and manufacturing technology courses.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply CAD software fundamentals (interface navigation, coordinate systems, drawing setup, layer management, line types, and plotting) to produce engineering drawings.
• Demonstrate spatial visualization skills by interpreting and creating two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects.
• Create accurate multiview orthographic projection drawings (front, top, right-side views) using correct line conventions, hidden lines, and centerlines.
• Apply geometric construction techniques to produce precise drawing geometry within CAD.
• Apply dimensioning standards (ASME Y14.5) to fully dimension engineering drawings, including linear, radial, angular, and baseline dimensions.
• Produce sectional views (full, half, offset, and revolved) using correct cutting-plane lines and crosshatch patterns.
• Produce auxiliary views to depict the true shape and size of inclined surfaces not shown in principal orthographic views.
• Create assembly drawings with part identification balloons and a bill of materials (BOM).
• Add and format text and title blocks conforming to industry drafting standards.
• Manage CAD files, plot drawings to scale, and produce print-ready output in model space and layout (paper) space.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the institution and instructor, additional outcomes may include:

• Explain how CAD integrates with CAE/CAM in design and manufacturing processes.
• Apply basic tolerance principles, including unilateral and bilateral size tolerances and an introduction to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) symbols and concepts per ASME Y14.5.
• Create basic isometric and pictorial drawings from orthographic views.
• Introduce 3D solid modeling concepts and generate simple 3D models within AutoCAD or an entry-level parametric modeler.
• Use Blocks, XREFs, and Attributes for drawing organization and reuse in complex drawings.
• Interpret threads and fastener representation conventions on engineering drawings.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. CAD Software Fundamentals – Interface overview, coordinate entry (absolute, relative, polar), drawing aids (ORTHO, SNAP, OSNAP), units and limits setup, zoom and pan.
2. Drawing Setup and Standards – ASME/ANSI drafting standards, drawing sheet sizes, title blocks and borders, line types (visible, hidden, centerline, phantom, section), line weights.
3. Layer Management – Creating and managing layers, assigning colors and linetypes, layer visibility, line type scale (LTSCALE), and printing with pen widths.
4. Geometric Construction – 2D object creation commands (line, arc, circle, polygon, ellipse), editing commands (trim, extend, offset, fillet, chamfer, array, mirror, rotate, scale).
5. Spatial Perception and Visualization – Interpreting 3D objects from 2D representations; sketching exercises to develop visualization skills.
6. Orthographic Projection – Principles of third-angle projection; selecting and arranging front, top, and right-side views; proper projection of features, hidden lines, and centerlines.
7. Dimensioning – Dimensioning conventions and placement rules; linear, radial, angular, and ordinate dimensions; dimension styles; notes and text.
8. Sectional Views – Full sections, half sections, offset sections, revolved sections; cutting-plane lines; hatch patterns and hatch boundaries.
9. Auxiliary Views – Primary auxiliary views from inclined surfaces; constructing true-shape views of oblique features.
10. Assembly Drawings – Detail drawings vs. assembly drawings; balloon annotations; bill of materials (BOM) tables.
11. Plotting and Output – Model space vs. layout (paper) space; viewports; plot scales; print-ready file preparation (DWF, PDF).

Optional Topics

• Isometric and Pictorial Drawings – Isometric axes and ellipses; creating isometric drawings in AutoCAD's isometric snap mode.
• Threads and Fasteners – Unified thread notation; simplified and schematic thread representation; standard fastener symbols.
• Introduction to GD&T – Feature control frames; form, orientation, and location tolerance symbols; datums and datum references per ASME Y14.5.
• Tolerancing Fundamentals – Limits and fits; unilateral and bilateral tolerances; dimensioning for manufacture.
• Blocks, XREFs, and Attributes – Creating and inserting blocks; external references; attribute definitions for title block automation.
• Introduction to 3D Modeling – Basic 3D solid primitives; extrude and revolve operations; generating 2D views from 3D models.
• CAD in the Design–Manufacturing Workflow – Overview of how CAD interfaces with CAE analysis and CAM manufacturing processes.

Resources & Tools

• Primary Software: Autodesk AutoCAD (current academic release) — available through Autodesk Education Community at no cost to enrolled students.
• Common Textbook: Engineering Graphics Essentials with AutoCAD (SDC Publications, current edition) — covers orthographic projection, sections, auxiliary views, and dimensioning using AutoCAD tutorials.
• Standards Reference: ASME Y14.5 – Dimensioning and Tolerancing; ASME Y14.1 – Drawing Sheet Size and Format.
• Hardware: Campus CAD lab computers with AutoCAD installed; a three-button mouse is strongly recommended.
• LMS: Canvas (used by most Florida College System institutions) for assignment submission, tutorials, and grades.
• Supplemental: Autodesk Knowledge Network online help; LinkedIn Learning / Autodesk tutorials for AutoCAD fundamentals.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETD 1103C provides foundational skills applicable across multiple engineering and design disciplines. Technical drafters work in close association with engineers, designers, architects, project managers, and fabricators to help design and document new projects.

• CAD Drafter / Drafting Technician – Mechanical, civil, electrical, or architectural drafting roles in engineering firms and manufacturers.
• Engineering Design Technician – Supporting professional engineers in product development, documentation, and revision of technical drawings.
• Manufacturing Technology – Producing shop drawings and process documentation for machining and fabrication.
• Construction / Infrastructure – Contributing to civil engineering and architectural project documentation.
• Further Education – Prerequisite or foundational course for advanced CAD, 3D solid modeling (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo), GD&T, and engineering design courses within the A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design or Engineering Technology programs.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: The CAD skills developed in this course provide groundwork toward industry-recognized credentials, including:

• Autodesk Certified User (ACU) – AutoCAD: An entry-level certification validating core AutoCAD competency. Some Florida colleges (e.g., Eastern Florida State College) offer or recommend this exam as part of their CADD program sequence.
• Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) – AutoCAD: A professional-level exam for students who continue into advanced CAD coursework.

Lab Component: The "C" suffix in the SCNS course number indicates this is a combined lecture and laboratory course. Students should expect both in-class instruction and hands-on CAD drawing sessions each week. Lab time is used to complete drawing projects that directly reinforce lecture concepts.

ASME Standards Alignment: All dimensioning and tolerancing instruction in this course is aligned to ASME Y14.5, which is the nationally recognized standard referenced by engineering employers across aerospace, manufacturing, and construction industries.