AutoCAD is our priority for drawing for projects. Moreover, AutoCAD is the first architectural drawing program that many architecture students have learned. However, this program can be a bit complicated for those who are just starting to use it. It will take a lot of time at first to read the plans created with AutoCAD. Still, nothing to worry about it! We will soon give you a few tips that will always come in handy when using AutoCAD. If you make these a habit while still learning the program, you can increase your drawing speed beyond belief.
1-Working with Layers
There will be many programs that you will use throughout your architectural education and career. You’ll have to work on layers on almost all of them. A layer is an active workspace where you practice. However, you don’t want to do all your operations on a single layer in AutoCAD.
It will be straightforward for you to open a new layer for each element of the drawing. For example, it is best to work with layers such as walls, plaster, openings, and reinforcements as you draw. So if you need to make any changes to the plan, you can apply it quickly in AutoCAD. Meanwhile, you will not affect other aspects of the design.
2-Importance of Polyline
The first thing taught to students in AutoCAD lessons is drawing with the “line” command. However, in practice, this is a very useless method. When creating your drawings, use the polyline command whenever possible. For example, when you draw a wall in the plan, it will appear in one piece.
Of course, you can combine the lines you drew with the line command later as you wish. But why waste time with that?
3-Layer Isolated Command
The layer isolate command is the command you will use most when editing some complicated plans in AutoCAD. Mostly you don’t create the plan you’re working on it. You act on the plan of a place that already exists. In this case, you need to understand the drawing you have and create your AutoCAD designs that way. But how can you organize a complicated plan with power lines and roof details? In this case, the “layer isolate” command, which makes only the layer you want to work on visible, is handy. So you can both see what that layer contains and edit it without distracting details around it.
4-As Much Information As Required
When creating a plan, section, or view in AutoCAD, you want it to be understood by an outsider. That’s why you try to reflect all the information about the drawing field with the correct expression language. However, the point to remember is what information will be needed and when. There is no need to give a drawing, including the electrical plan, to an expert who asks you to measure the wall. Sharing too much technical information on a sheet will cause uncertainty, and giving too much detail will be confusing.
5-Shortcuts
If you want to use AutoCAD fast, you have to master some keyboard shortcuts. Don’t worry; these are not tricky details to learn. Same as the most basic computer commands. However, getting into the habit of using them while using the program can speed up their work.
6-Scale Attention
While working with AutoCAD and printing, many people can reach the points they cannot get out of themselves because most people don’t know how to scale. Let’s remind you not to confuse this, either; You don’t need to enter scaled numbers while drawing in AutoCAD. Suppose the wall’s length is one meter, type 100 cm or 1 m in the AutoCAD. In short, you only need to use the real dimensions in the drawing phase. For scaled printouts, make a small adjustment before closing the program.
If you don’t want the project you’re dealing with day and night to become unreadable due to scale error, pay close attention to this detail. Double-check your drawings and the output settings. What could be the harm in taking a few extra seconds and checking carefully for the best results?