AutoCAD Fundamentals

Course Description

ETD2320C — AutoCAD Fundamentals is a combined lecture and laboratory course (4 credit hours) within the Engineering Technologies > Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course teaches students the skills required for the successful operation of Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) hardware and software, with primary emphasis on Autodesk AutoCAD. Students develop proficiency in creating precise 2D technical drawings, applying national engineering drawing standards, and using AutoCAD's core toolset to produce professional-quality design documentation. The course is foundational to the AutoCAD Foundations College Credit Certificate (CCC) and the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. degree at multiple Florida institutions.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Set up an AutoCAD drawing environment, including units, limits, and drawing aids.
• Use construction commands (line, circle, arc, polyline, rectangle, polygon) to create new 2D drawings from scratch.
• Use editing commands (trim, extend, offset, fillet, chamfer, copy, move, rotate, mirror, array, scale) to modify existing drawings.
• Apply orthographic projection principles to produce multi-view technical drawings consistent with ANSI/ASME Y14 standards.
• Assign and format dimensions (linear, angular, radial, diameter, baseline, and continued) correctly on technical drawings.
• Organize drawings using layers, linetypes, lineweights, and color properties.
• Create and manage text and annotation, including text styles, multiline text, and title blocks.
• Use object snap, polar tracking, and grid/snap tools to achieve drafting precision.
• Navigate and apply both Model Space and Paper Space / Layouts for organizing and plotting drawings.
• Plot and print drawings with correct scale, plot styles, and page setup configurations.
• Manage drawing files, including save, open, import/export, and use of template files (.dwt).

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institution and instructor emphasis:

• Create and insert blocks and attributes for reusable drawing symbols and data extraction.
• Use external references (XREFs) to link and manage referenced drawing files.
• Apply hatch patterns and gradient fills to sectional and detail views.
• Customize the AutoCAD user interface (ribbons, toolbars, workspaces, aliases).
• Distinguish between raster and vector graphic formats and explain their implications for CAD workflows.
• Demonstrate introductory 3D navigation and basic solid/surface modeling concepts within AutoCAD.
• Apply geometric constraints and parametric drafting tools available in AutoCAD.
• Interpret and produce section views and auxiliary views per engineering drawing conventions.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered across all known Florida college offerings of ETD2320C:

1. Introduction to CAD and the AutoCAD Interface — History of CAD, hardware requirements, the AutoCAD workspace (ribbon, command line, drawing area, toolbars), file management, and coordinate systems (absolute, relative, polar).
2. Drawing Setup — Units, precision, drawing limits, grid, snap, ortho mode, and template files.
3. 2D Drawing Commands — Line, circle, arc, ellipse, polyline, rectangle, polygon, spline, and construction geometry (xline, ray).
4. Editing and Modify Commands — Erase, undo/redo, move, copy, rotate, scale, mirror, array (rectangular and polar), offset, trim, extend, fillet, chamfer, break, join, and stretch.
5. Object Properties and Layers — Creating and managing layers, assigning colors, linetypes, and lineweights; layer states and layer filters; properties panel.
6. Precision Tools — Object snap (OSNAP) modes, object snap tracking, polar tracking, dynamic input, and inquiry commands (distance, area, list).
7. Text and Annotation — Text styles, single-line text (DTEXT), multiline text (MTEXT), spell check, and editing text.
8. Dimensioning — Dimension styles (DIMSTYLE), linear, aligned, angular, radial, diameter, baseline, continued, and ordinate dimensions; leader lines and geometric dimensioning basics consistent with ANSI/ASME Y14.5 standards.
9. Orthographic Drawing and Multi-View Projection — First- and third-angle projection, front/top/right-side views, line precedence rules, and hidden line conventions.
10. Layouts, Paper Space, and Plotting — Model space vs. paper space, viewport creation and scaling, page setup, plot style tables (CTB/STB), and print-to-scale output.
11. Title Blocks and Drawing Standards — Standard title block elements, border setup, drawing numbering, revision blocks, and compliance with ANSI/ASME Y14 drawing standards.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on instructor discretion and available lab time:

• Blocks and Attributes — Creating, inserting, editing, and managing blocks; defining and extracting attribute data.
• External References (XREFs) — Attaching, detaching, clipping, and managing externally referenced drawing files.
• Hatch and Gradient Fills — Applying and editing hatch patterns for section views; boundary selection and associativity.
• Section Views and Auxiliary Views — Full, half, offset, and broken-out section views; auxiliary views for inclined surfaces.
• Raster vs. Vector Formats — Comparison of image formats; inserting and managing raster images in AutoCAD drawings.
• User Interface Customization — Creating command aliases, custom workspaces, and tool palettes.
• Introduction to 3D Concepts — 3D coordinate systems, viewpoints, basic solid primitives, and extruding 2D profiles into 3D objects.
• AutoCAD Internet and Cloud Tools — AutoCAD web app, saving to Autodesk cloud (Autodesk Docs), and basic file-sharing workflows.

Resources & Tools

• Software: Autodesk AutoCAD (current version — student licenses available free via Autodesk Education Community at autodesk.com/education)
• Hardware: Computer lab workstations with Windows OS, mouse, and large monitors; plotter or printer access for output assignments
• Textbook (common adoptions): AutoCAD and Its Applications (Goodheart-Willcox) or Introduction to AutoCAD (Onstott, Pearson) — verify current edition with instructor
• Drawing Standards Reference: ANSI/ASME Y14 Engineering Drawing and Related Documentation Practices
• Autodesk Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network (knowledge.autodesk.com), Autodesk University on-demand tutorials
• Supplemental Practice: LinkedIn Learning / Autodesk Learning Partner tutorials; instructor-provided drawing exercise packets
• File Storage: USB drive or cloud storage (Autodesk Docs, OneDrive) for drawing files and project portfolios

Career Pathways

ETD2320C provides the foundational AutoCAD skills required for entry-level drafting and design positions across multiple industries. Florida drafters find employment in engineering and architectural services, manufacturing, construction, and utilities sectors.

• CAD Operator / CAD Technician — Producing and revising 2D drawings under the direction of engineers or designers
• Architectural Drafter — Creating floor plans, elevations, and construction documents for residential and commercial projects
• Civil Drafter — Supporting civil engineering projects including site plans, roadway layouts, and utility drawings
• Mechanical Drafter — Detailing mechanical parts and assemblies for manufacturing
• Structural Drafter — Producing structural steel, concrete, and framing drawings
• Electrical Drafter — Drafting electrical schematics, panel schedules, and wiring diagrams

Completion of ETD2320C supports progression into the AutoCAD Foundations College Credit Certificate (CCC) and the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. degree at Florida state colleges. Credits may also be applied toward related A.S. programs in Architectural Design and Construction Technology and Engineering Technology.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course prepares students for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) — AutoCAD credential, an industry-recognized entry-level certification validating competency in AutoCAD fundamentals. The ACU exam is administered by Autodesk through Certiport testing centers. Students who pass this exam may be eligible to receive college credit or advanced standing at participating Florida institutions. Some Florida programs (e.g., Atlantic Technical College, Broward Technical Colleges) prepare students for additional state and nationally recognized industry certification or licensure exams within the drafting field. Students interested in pursuing the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) credential should complete additional AutoCAD coursework beyond this introductory level.

Lab Requirement

The "C" lab indicator in the SCNS course number (ETD2320C) designates this as a combined lecture and laboratory course. Students are expected to complete hands-on drawing exercises in a computer lab environment each week. A lab fee may be assessed in addition to standard tuition; confirm with your institution at enrollment.