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AutoCAD Training | Guide to AutoCAD for Architectural Design

A course by Jack Johnson, Architectural Director at Studio RBA.
Proper architectural drafting should be the first thing you get taught right after graduating. This series of AutoCAD tutorials doesn’t just explore how to learn AutoCAD, but best practices for drawing, annotation and plotting to PDF.

Skill level

Beginner

Duration

Approx. 3 hrs

Certificate

On completion

Closed Captions

English

About this course

There’s a saying that the foundation of any great architectural endeavour begins with a precise, well-detailed draft. It’s the canvas where imaginations are turned into blueprints, where the magic of architectural design is first given form. The world of architectural drafting, however, is vast, and that’s where AutoCAD shines.

Having graduated, many budding architects quickly realize that mastering architectural drafting is not just about knowing how to draw; it’s about understanding best practices for detailing, annotation, and presentation. This is especially critical in the modern architectural landscape where precision, speed, and clarity are paramount. Welcome to ArchAdemia’s AutoCAD Training, where we delve not only into how to learn AutoCAD but also imbibe best practices that will set you apart in the industry.

For those just dipping their toes into the world of drafting, it might be tempting to start with a search like “Online AutoCAD course” or perhaps “AutoCAD course near me.” But in a sea of digital offerings, ArchAdemia stands out, aligning perfectly with what modern architects need. Why? Because our series of AutoCAD tutorials is curated keeping real-world architectural marvels in mind. While learning, students have the unique opportunity to explore the iconic Farnsworth House, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

So, what can one expect from ArchAdemia’s offerings? For visual learners, our AutoCAD training videos available on our YouTube channel serve as a gold mine of information. These videos, paired with interactive tutorials, ensure that concepts are understood, not just memorized. If you’re someone who thrives in a structured learning environment, our comprehensive AutoCAD training course is just the ticket. With dedicated modules, hands-on projects, and continuous feedback, we’ve got every angle covered.

If you’re on the hunt for the “Best AutoCAD course”, look no further. ArchAdemia prides itself on the depth and breadth of its curriculum. And for those who are cautious about investing right away, why not explore our YouTube channel for a Free AutoCAD course to kickstart your drafting journey? It’s a great way to get a taste of what’s in store.

In an industry that thrives on credentials, completing an AutoCAD course certificate from ArchAdemia is a feather in your cap. It’s not just a testament to your skills but an endorsement of your commitment to the craft.

To conclude, architectural drafting, as an art, requires both talent and the right tools. With ArchAdemia’s AutoCAD training, not only will you master the software, but you’ll also understand the nuances that make a good draft great. So why wait? Whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced architect looking to refine your drafting skills, ArchAdemia has the perfect course tailored for you. Embrace the world of AutoCAD and let your designs do the talking.

To access Autodesk AutoCAD to get started with our architecture tutorials please use the following link;

Skills you'll gain

Why ArchAdemia?

Syllabus

Lesson 1 – Workspace setup (6:26). The first lesson explains some best practices for setting up your workspace and identifies some key tools you need to bank on your interface for an efficient workflow.

Lesson 2 – Tools (11:33). Here, we move into an explanation of all relevant tools for an architect so you understand what to use and when, when it comes to your drawings. Using the right drawing tool can save hours!

Lesson 3 – Understanding the basics (4:00). Drawing basics and making the most of tools such as snaps is explored in this lesson so you’re ready to start drawing in lesson 4!

Lesson 4 – Drafting basics (55:36). This course is based on the iconic Farnsworth House and this lesson starts us off with importing the drawings of this property and we show you how to scale and trace over the imports so you can draw up the project as if you were Mies van der Rohe himself.

Lesson 5 – Adding detail (32:15). Important topics like hatching, dashed linework, furniture, door swings, labelling and so on are covered in this lesson to make sure your drawings are spot on.

Lesson 6 – Elevations (58:19). With the floor plans developed we move into showing you how to produce perfect elevations that line through with the floor plans, an important principle to understand for all your projects.

Lesson 7 – Shadows & Depth (33:43). In this lesson we show you how to add depth and relief to your elevations with the use of shadows and hatching.

Lesson 8 – Setting up sheets (19:50). Your drawings are useless if they don’t go on a sheet! This lesson shows you how to bring what you’ve drawn in model space into sheets, setting the right scale and working with title blocks.

Lesson 9 – Plotting (5:22). Plotting refers to two results, printing a hard copy or a digital copy to PDF. This lesson explains how you set plot styles for the perfect drawing to serve both purposes.

Lesson 10 – Dimensions (15:54). With everything drawn and ready for plotting, we finalise the drawings with a series of dimensions to set the project out and emphasise the scale of the proposal.

The project you'll be working on.

Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe

It’s not just about the software, but also taking you on a journey through an iconic piece of architecture. That’s what makes ArchAdemia unique to other course providers.

“The Farnsworth House, built between 1945 and 1951 for Dr. Edith Farnsworth as a weekend retreat, is a platonic perfection of order gently placed in spontaneous nature in Plano, Illinois. Just right outside of Chicago in a 10-acre secluded wooded site with the Fox River to the south, the glass pavilion takes full advantage of relating to its natural surroundings, achieving Mies’ concept of a strong relationship between the house and nature.”

Meet your tutor - Jack Johnon | Architectural Director | Studio RBA

Hi, I’m Jack. I am the founder and director of Studio RBA. I have a track record in the design and construction of new-build and heritage led refurbishment projects in residential and commercial sectors. My main specialisms are in high-end residential design and conservation architecture. I head up day-to-day operations at RBA, focusing on drawing quality, accuracy and ensuring that the studio delivers on budget and on time. My teaching style, therefore, adopts a similar approach focusing on accuracy and the importance of this in practice.

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I recently started my own practice and wanted to get some inspiration for how my fee letters and other documents should be set up. I got the Architects Tool Kit, and it was fantastic. The purchase process was quick & easy, and I had my products immediately via email.
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Mike DonagheyArchitecture Student
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As an architecture student, I struggled getting grasp of some software such as Revit and Photoshop. I started using ArchAdemia for their extensive and cohesive courses and my I found my work excel to levels I did not think I could achieve.
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Christopher GatusFreelance Architect
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If you’re an Architect or an Aspiring Architect, the ArchAdemia community is something that you want to be a part of. They offer in-depth courses about anything you need to learn about the field of Architecture. They teach based on their experiences in the real world and not the usual things we learn from Architecture school.
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ArchAdemia is a great source of information! They have plenty of courses which I am sure I will use, but also the packs they have contain a variety of sketch up models, revit models and planning/ design and access reports, which are really helpful when you are looking at how to graphically lay out your work.
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FAQs

We’re the only architectural educator that teaches all aspects of what an architect goes through each day, through architecture courses, one-off lessons, podcasts and mentoring. We have to know and deal with a lot; concept design, technical design, graphics, construction, dealing with clients & consultants etc. Our platform gives insight into all of these areas and more through a range of mediums such as; online classes, one-to-one coaching, podcasts and downloadable resources.

We have two forms of membership, monthly and annual. Both can be cancelled at any time with no contractual obligations. Both include all course content that exists today and any future instalments, access to our community forum and monthly bonuses. Annual members benefit from two extra perks; the ability to contact us directly anytime to help with day to day issues, often resulting in a video call support session, and free access to all downloadable resources (currently worth £300 total).

Monthly memberships are £29 per month and our annual membership is £99 paid per year. Head over to our pricing page to find out exactly what’s included with each. FYI – both memberships auto-renew.

Our teaching style is relaxed and specific to the needs of an architect or similar construction industry designer. All of our premium courses are centred around an iconic piece of architecture, which provides a dual benefit of learning the software and diving deeper into exceptional pieces of design.
You can watch your lessons on a desktop, maybe with a split screen or you can consume our content via mobile utilising two options. The first option is simply viewing our mobile optimised website, where the second is to download the Kajabi app and use the credentials you made with us to login and view your lessons anytime and anywhere!
Joining us is easy, simply scroll to the top of our home page and start by hitting the button in the top banner. We also have a handful of other buttons positioned around our site. Head over to the pricing page to find a detailed breakdown of what’s included.

Once you’ve created your account you’ll be taken to the members area. There, you have easy access to your account information, where you’ll receive instructions on how to cancel if you wish to do so.

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