AutoCAD 2025 Practice Activities

 

AutoCAD is an essential tool for aspiring civil draftspersons. Below are step-by-step activities , accompanied by solutions to help enhance learning and build confidence. 

1. AutoCAD Interface Walkthrough 🔤

Task: Familiarize yourself with the AutoCAD workspace.

1. Open AutoCAD 2025.
2. Identify the following:
• Ribbon: The toolbar at the top with tabs like "Home," "Insert," and "Annotate."
• Toolbars: Shortcut icons for frequently used tools (optional to display).
• Command Line: The bar at the bottom where you can type commands.
• Model Space: The blank black area where you draw.

Solution:  Hover over icons to see their descriptions!

• Locate the following tools in the Home tab:
1. Line tool: Found in the Draw panel.
2. Rectangle tool: Next to the Line tool.
3. Circle tool: Also, in the Draw panel.

2. Drawing Simple Shapes ✏️

Practise: Draw a line, rectangle, arc, polyline and circle.

Steps for Solution:

1. Line:
• Type LINE in the Command Line and press Enter.
• Click to specify the starting point.
• Move the cursor and click to specify the endpoint.
• Press Enter to complete the command.
2. Rectangle:
• Type RECTANGLE and press Enter.
• Click to specify the first corner.
• Move the cursor and click to specify the opposite corner.
• Press Enter to finish.
3. Circle:
• Type CIRCLE and press Enter.
• Click to specify the center point.
• Drag the cursor and click to specify the radius.
• Press Enter to complete.

Task to perform: Create a "flower" 🌼.

1. Draw a large circle with a radius of 50.
2. Draw smaller circles with a radius of 10 around the larger circle’s perimeter.
3. Use the COPY command to duplicate smaller circles evenly around the center.

3. Precision Drafting with Coordinates 💔

Practise: Use coordinates to draw a house outline.

Steps for Solution:

1. Type LINE and press Enter.
2. Input the following coordinates in order:
• 0,0 (starting point)
• 10,0 (horizontal line)
• 10,8 (vertical line)
• 0,8 (close rectangle vertically)
• 0,0 (close rectangle horizontally).
3. To add a triangular roof:
• Start at (0,8).
• Go to (10,8).
• Specify the peak at (5,12).
• Return to (0,8) to close the shape.

4. Modifying Objects 🔧

Practise: Edit the house outline using modify tools.

Steps for Solution:

1. Move:
• Select the house.
• Type MOVE and press Enter.
• Specify a base point.
• Drag and place the object at the desired location.
2. Copy:
• Select the house.
• Type COPY and press Enter.
• Choose a base point and place duplicates.
3. Trim:
• Draw diagonal lines across the rectangle.
• Type TRIM and press Enter.
• Select and trim unwanted parts.

Task to perform: Create a road cross-section 🛣️:

1. Draw a horizontal line for the road base.
2. Use OFFSET to create parallel lines for lanes.
3. Add a Hatch (HATCH command) to apply asphalt patterns.

 

5. Layers and Line Types 🎨

Practise: Create and manage layers.

1. Open the Layer Properties Manager.
2. Create three layers:
• Road: Black, continuous line type.
• Building: Blue, dashed line type.
• Dimensions: Red, dotted line type.
3. Assign objects to the layers:
• Right-click the object.
• Choose Properties and select the appropriate layer.

Steps for Solution:

Step 1: Open the Layer Properties Manager

1. Open AutoCAD and your drawing file.
2. Type LA in the command line and press Enter to open the Layer Properties Manager. Alternatively, you can go to the Home tab and click the Layer Properties button in the Layers panel.

Step 2: Create Layers

1. In the Layer Properties Manager window, click the New Layer button (the icon with a sheet of paper) at the top of the window.
2. A new layer will appear in the list. Rename the layer by double-clicking its name (e.g., “Layer 1”) and typing:
• Road
• Building
• Dimensions

Step 3: Set Properties for Each Layer

For each layer (Road, Building, and Dimensions), set the following properties:

1. Road Layer:
• Click on the Color cell next to the "Road" layer and select Black from the color options.
• Click on the Linetype cell next to the "Road" layer and choose Continuous from the list (if it's not available, click "Load..." and select it from the list).
2. Building Layer:
• Click on the Color cell next to the "Building" layer and choose Blue.
• Click on the Linetype cell next to the "Building" layer and select Dashed.
3. Dimensions Layer:
• Click on the Color cell next to the "Dimensions" layer and choose Red.
• Click on the Linetype cell next to the "Dimensions" layer and select Dotted.

Step 4: Assign Objects to Layers

1. Select the object you want to assign to a layer.
2. Right-click on the selected object and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Properties palette, locate the Layer field.
4. Click the drop-down list next to Layer, then select the appropriate layer:
• For roads, choose Road.
• For buildings, choose Building.
• For dimensions, choose Dimensions.

Repeat these steps for each object you want to assign to a different layer.

Now, your drawing will have properly assigned layers with their corresponding line types and colors!

Task to perform: Design a parking lot 🚗:

1. Draw rectangles for parking slots.
2. Use dashed lines for dividers on the Dimensions layer.

6. Dimensioning and Annotations ✍️

Task: Add measurements and text.

1. Go to the Annotate tab in the Ribbon.
2. Use DIMLINEAR to add horizontal and vertical dimensions.
3. Add text using the MTEXT command.

Steps for Solution:

Step 1: Go to the Annotate Tab

1. Open AutoCAD and your drawing file.

1. In the Ribbon (the toolbar at the top), click on the Annotate tab. This tab contains all the annotation tools you'll need, including dimensions and text.

1. In the Annotate tab, locate the Dimensions panel.

1. Click on the Linear dimension tool (the button with an arrow and a line). Alternatively, type DIMLINEAR in the command line and press Enter.

3. Select the first point (the starting point of the dimension line). Click on the first point where you want the dimension to start (e.g., the corner of a rectangle or the start of a line).

3. Select the second point (the ending point of the dimension line). Click on the point where you want the dimension to end.

3. After selecting the two points, AutoCAD will display the dimension line.

• For a horizontal dimension, the dimension will appear horizontally.

• For a vertical dimension, the dimension will appear vertically.

3. Place the dimension text: Click where you want to place the dimension text. It will show the measurement between the two points you selected.

1. In the Annotate tab, locate the Text panel.

1. Click on the Multiline Text tool (the button with "ABC" and a box icon) or type MTEXT in the command line and press Enter.

1. Specify the text box: Click and drag to define the size of the text box in your drawing. This will create a text editor area where you can type.

1. Type your text: Once the text box is created, type the text you want to add to the drawing. You can format the text (font, size, etc.) using the options in the Text Formatting toolbar that appears.

1. Place the text: After entering the text, click outside the text box to place the text in your drawing.

Step 2: Add Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions Using DIMLINEAR

This tool is used to add horizontal or vertical linear dimensions to your drawing.

Step 3: Add Text Using MTEXT

Task to perform: Create a title block 📋:

1. Draw a rectangle for the title block.
2. Add text fields for:
• Project Name.
• Date.
• Your Name.

 

7. Blocks and Symbols 🧱

Task: Create reusable components.

1. Draw a symbol, like a tree shape 🌳.
2. Type BLOCK and press Enter.
3. Name the block, select the objects, and specify a base point.
4. Use the INSERT command to place the block in your drawing.

Steps for Solution:

1. Draw the Tree Symbol 🌳

1. Open a new or existing drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Use the following tools to create a simple tree shape:
• Circle Tool:
• Type CIRCLE and press Enter.
• Click to specify the center and drag outward to create the tree canopy (e.g., radius 5 units).
• Line Tool:
• Type LINE and press Enter.
• Draw a vertical line below the circle to represent the tree trunk (e.g., height 10 units).
3. Adjust the drawing as needed for your tree shape.

2. Convert the Drawing into a Block 🧱

1. Type BLOCK in the Command Line and press Enter.
2. In the Block Definition window:
• Name the Block: Enter a name like "Tree."
• Specify the Base Point:
• Click the "Pick Point" button.
• Select the base of the tree trunk as the insertion point.
• Select Objects:
• Click "Select Objects."
• Use the cursor to select all elements of the tree (circle and line).
• Press Enter to finalize the selection.
• Save Block in Drawing: Ensure "Retain" or "Convert to Block" is selected.
3. Click OK to complete the block creation.

3. Insert the Tree Block in the Drawing 🌱

1. Type INSERT in the Command Line and press Enter.
2. In the Insert Block dialog box:
• Choose "Tree" (or the name you gave the block) from the list.
• Set the Insertion Point:
• Click "Specify On-Screen" for precise placement.
• (Optional) Adjust Scale and Rotation if needed.
3. Click OK and place the tree block where you want in your drawing.

Modifying Blocks

• If you want to edit the block later, use the BEDIT (Block Editor) command.
• Make changes to the block, save it, and see the updates apply wherever the block is used in your drawing.

Task to perform: Create a landscape plan 🏞️:

1. Use the tree block you created and insert multiple instances into your drawing.
2. Arrange the trees in a row or scattered pattern to design a garden.
3. Add additional symbols (e.g., benches or lamps) by creating and inserting more blocks.

 

8. Practice Mini-Projects 🏛️

Task: Apply your skills in small projects.

1. Basic Room Plan:
• Draw a rectangle (e.g., 12m x 10m).
• Add rectangles for doors and windows.

Steps for Solution:

Step 1: Draw the Main Room (Rectangle)

1. Open a new drawing.
2. Activate the Rectangle Tool:
• Type RECTANGLE in the command line and press Enter, or
• Click on the Rectangle tool in the Draw panel on the Home tab of the Ribbon.
3. Specify the first corner:
• Click on a point in your drawing area to specify the first corner of the rectangle (this will be one of the corners of your room).
4. Specify the opposite corner:
• Type 12,10 in the command line (for a room of 12 meters by 10 meters) and press Enter. This will create a rectangle with a length of 12 meters and a width of 10 meters.
5. Check the room dimensions: The rectangle is now the floor plan of the room.

Step 2: Add Rectangles for Doors and Windows

1. Draw the Door:
• Activate the Rectangle Tool again by typing RECTANGLE or selecting it from the Ribbon.
• Click to specify the first corner for the door (e.g., near the wall where you want to place the door).
• For a standard door size, type 1,2 for a door that is 1 meter wide and 2 meters tall (adjust the size if needed), then press Enter.
2. Draw Multiple Doors:
• Repeat the process to add more doors to the room. For each door, pick a location and draw a rectangle with appropriate dimensions (e.g., 1,2 for standard door sizes).
3. Draw the Window:
• Again, activate the Rectangle Tool and click to specify the first corner for the window.
• For a typical window size, type 2,1 for a window that is 2 meters wide and 1 meter tall, then press Enter.
4. Draw Additional Windows:
• Repeat the process to place more windows in the room, adjusting the size and position according to your design.

Step 3: Position the Doors and Windows

• Move the door and window rectangles into their correct positions along the walls of the room.
• To move an object: Type MOVE in the command line, press Enter, select the door or window rectangle, specify a base point, and then click to place it in the desired location.

Step 4: Final Adjustments

• Modify Dimensions: Use the DIMLINEAR tool to add dimensions to your room, doors, and windows if needed.
• Adjust Proportions: If you want to change the size of any door or window, you can use the STRETCH tool or edit the rectangle's dimensions.

1. Sidewalk Design:

• Use OFFSET to create parallel lines for the sidewalk (width: 1.5m).
• Add tile patterns using HATCH.

Steps for Solution:

1. Draw the outer edge of the sidewalk using the Rectangle or Polyline tool.
• For example, create a rectangle or polyline representing the sidewalk's length and width.

Step 2: Create Parallel Lines for the Sidewalk Using OFFSET

1. Type OFFSET in the command line and press Enter.
2. Enter the distance as 1.5 (for 1.5 meters width) and press Enter.
3. Select the outer edge of the sidewalk (the rectangle or polyline you just drew).
4. Click to place the parallel line on the inside or outside of the original boundary.

Step 3: Add Tile Pattern Using HATCH

1. Type HATCH in the command line and press Enter.
2. In the Hatch Pattern dialog, choose a tile pattern (e.g., ANSI31 or Herringbone).
3. Click inside the sidewalk boundary to fill the area with the tile pattern.
4. Adjust the scale of the pattern if needed to fit properly.

1. Simple Bridge Layout:
• Draw a rectangle for the bridge deck.
• Use CIRCLE and LINE tools to add piers below the deck.

 Steps for Solution:

Step 1: Draw the Bridge Deck (Rectangle)

1. Open AutoCAD and create a new drawing.
2. Activate the Rectangle Tool:
• Type RECTANGLE in the command line and press Enter.
• Click to specify the first corner of the rectangle.
• Type the dimensions of the deck, e.g., 20,6 for a bridge deck that is 20 meters long and 6 meters wide, then press Enter.

Step 2: Add Piers Below the Deck

1. Activate the Circle Tool:
• Type CIRCLE in the command line and press Enter.
• Click to specify the center of the pier circle (below the deck).
• Type a radius value (e.g., 1 for a 1-meter radius), then press Enter.
2. Draw the Pier Column (Line):
• Type LINE in the command line and press Enter.
• Click at the center of the circle to start the line.
• Click to specify the endpoint of the line (extend it downward to represent the pier column).
3. Repeat for Additional Piers:
• Copy and place additional circles and lines (piers) at other locations beneath the deck, depending on your design.

Exporting a File

1. To Export a DWG or DXF:
• Click the Application Menu (big "A" in the upper left corner).
• Select Export.
• Choose the format you want to export to, such as DWG, DXF, or other formats.
• Choose the destination folder and give the file a name.
• Click Save to export.
2. To Export to PDF (or other file formats like DWF):
• Go to the Application Menu (big "A").
• Select Plot.
• In the Plot dialog, select PDF as the printer and adjust settings.
• Click OK, then choose where to save the file.

Importing a File

1. Open AutoCAD 2025.
2. Importing a DWG, DXF, or Other File:
• Go to the Application Menu (the big "A" in the upper left corner).
• Select Open > Browse.
• Find the file you want to import (e.g., a DWG or DXF file).
• Select the file and click Open.

Alternative Method (Xref):

• If you want to attach an external file (Xref), go to the Insert tab.
• Click Attach under the References panel.
• Select the file you want to import, adjust the settings (scale, rotation), and click OK.

Final Tip 👍

By mastering these essential AutoCAD tasks, you're not just learning software; you're building the foundational skills that will set you apart as a civil draftsman. With every line, shape, and block you draw, you’re transforming ideas into reality and creating designs that will shape the future. Keep practicing, explore your creativity, and remember that every project is an opportunity to grow your skills and build confidence in your craft. Stay consistent, and let AutoCAD be your trusted tool on the path to success.

Happy Designing and Drafting! 🎨🛠️