Advanced AutoCAD

Course Description

This course is a continuation of introductory computer-aided drafting and design, providing in-depth training in the advanced operations and capabilities of AutoCAD software. Students build upon foundational 2D drafting skills and progress into advanced drawing management, customization, and 3D modeling techniques. The course is a combined lecture/laboratory ("C" designation) course in the Engineering Technology: Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). Emphasis is placed on professional-level workflows applicable to the architectural, civil, and mechanical engineering drafting industries.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Apply advanced CAD techniques for engineering drawings, including the use of Attributes, External References (XREFs), Layers, Blocks, and Curve creation.
• Create and manage Paper Space layouts with multiple viewports for professional drawing presentation and plotting.
• Construct, insert, and edit dynamic blocks and block libraries to streamline drawing production.
• Attach, manage, and update External Reference (XREF) files in a collaborative drawing environment.
• Define and extract block attributes for use in title blocks, parts lists, and data management.
• Customize the AutoCAD user interface, including ribbons, tool palettes, workspaces, and command aliases.
• Configure hardware/software settings and manage drawing files, including operating system file hierarchy and storage protocols.
• Produce professional-quality plotted output, including plot styles, page setups, and multi-sheet publishing.
• Create 3D wireframe, surface, and solid models using AutoCAD's 3D modeling environment.
• Apply industry-standard annotation and dimensioning techniques in both Model Space and Paper Space.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institutional emphasis and program pathway:

• Produce rendered 3D models with materials, lighting, and photorealistic presentation output.
• Extrapolate 2D data into 3D models and generate 2D drawing views from 3D solids.
• Distinguish between raster and vector formats and manage embedded versus linked image files.
• Utilize AutoCAD sheet sets for project-level drawing management and batch plotting.
• Introduce parametric constraints (geometric and dimensional) within the drawing environment.
• Prepare mechanical CAD drawings based on 3D solid models following ANSI/ASME drafting standards.
• Prepare for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) examination in AutoCAD.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered at all Florida institutions offering ETD2340C:

• Advanced Layer Management — Layer states, filters, layer properties overrides in viewports.
• Blocks and Block Libraries — Creating, editing, inserting, and purging blocks; dynamic block parameters and actions.
• Block Attributes — Defining, inserting, editing, and extracting attribute data; use in title blocks and parts lists.
• External References (XREFs) — Attaching and overlaying XREFs, binding, clipping, and managing XREF paths in a project environment.
• Paper Space and Layouts — Creating and configuring layout tabs, floating viewports, viewport scale, layer visibility per viewport, and title block setup.
• Plotting and Publishing — Plot styles (CTB/STB), page setups, multi-sheet publishing, PDF output.
• User Interface Customization — Workspace configuration, tool palettes, ribbon customization, command aliases (ACAD.PGP).
• Advanced Annotation — Annotative text and dimensions, multileaders, tables, field objects.
• Introduction to 3D Modeling — 3D coordinate systems (UCS), viewpoints, visual styles, wireframe and solid primitive creation.
• 3D Solid Modeling Operations — Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect), solid editing commands, section planes.
• Assembly Drawings — Organizing multi-component drawings using blocks and XREFs for assembly documentation.
• File Management and Drawing Standards — Template files (DWT), drawing audit and recovery, file formats (DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF).

Optional Topics

The following topics may be introduced based on program pathway (mechanical, civil, or architectural) and available lab time:

• 3D Surface and Mesh Modeling — Mesh primitives, surface modeling commands, converting between model types.
• Rendering and Visualization — Applying materials and textures, configuring lights, rendering 3D models for photorealistic output.
• Raster Image Management — Attaching, scaling, and clipping raster images; raster vs. vector file format distinctions; embed vs. link workflows.
• Sheet Sets — Creating and managing AutoCAD Sheet Sets for multi-drawing project coordination.
• Parametric Constraints — Applying geometric and dimensional constraints to 2D drawing geometry.
• Script Files and Macros — Introduction to AutoCAD script automation and custom macros for repetitive tasks.
• Introduction to AutoCAD Vertical Applications — Brief orientation to discipline-specific tools such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, or Inventor as relevant to the program.

Resources & Tools

• Software: Autodesk AutoCAD (current release) — available via Autodesk Education Community (free student license)
• Hardware: CAD-capable workstation with dedicated graphics; minimum 16 GB RAM recommended for 3D work; large-format plotter access
• Textbook: AutoCAD and Its Applications — Advanced (Goodheart-Willcox) or current Autodesk Press title aligned to course level
• Reference Standards: ASME Y14.5 (Dimensioning & Tolerancing), ANSI drawing standards
• Online Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network; AutoCAD Online Help Documentation
• Autodesk Certification Prep: Autodesk Certification Center — practice exams and study guides for the AutoCAD Certified Professional exam

Career Pathways

Completion of ETD2340C prepares students for entry-level and advanced technician roles in technical design and drafting fields. Potential career pathways include:

• CAD Drafter / Designer — Architectural, mechanical, civil, or electrical drafting firms
• Engineering Technician — Supporting licensed engineers in design documentation across all major industries
• BIM Technician — Building Information Modeling roles using Revit and related Autodesk platforms (with further coursework)
• Construction Documents Specialist — Producing construction drawings for residential and commercial projects
• Manufacturing Design Drafter — Creating detailed part and assembly drawings for manufacturing operations
• Civil CAD Technician — Land development, site plans, and infrastructure drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D

This course is a foundational step toward completing an A.S. in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design at Florida state colleges including Valencia College, Eastern Florida State College, and Florida SouthWestern State College.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course supports preparation for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in AutoCAD credential, the advanced-tier industry certification offered by Autodesk. Candidates are advised to accumulate significant hands-on software experience before sitting for the exam.

• Autodesk Certified User (ACU): Entry-level credential; typically aligned with introductory AutoCAD coursework (ETD1320C).
• Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP): Advanced credential aligned with ETD2340C competencies. Candidates are generally recommended to have substantial practical experience with AutoCAD prior to examination.

Students completing this course as part of the AutoCAD Foundations College Credit Certificate (CCC) or the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design A.S. program may be eligible to receive industry certification exam vouchers through their institution. Contact the department for details on available certification support.

Lab Fee

A lab fee is typically assessed for this course to cover software licensing, printing, and plotting materials. Confirm the current fee amount with your institution's Bursar or program advisor at the time of registration.