Insights on the tools we use every day.
CAD Corner
Dimension Styles in AutoCAD
When working on detailed drafts and intricate designs, maintaining
consistency and clarity can make all the difference. One powerful tool
that helps achieve this goal is the Dimension Style in AutoCAD. In
this article, we'll explore what dimension styles are, why they
matter, and how to effectively use them in your projects.
Tool Palettes
When working in AutoCAD, having quick and easy access to frequently
used tools can save time and improve productivity. Enter Tool
Palettes, a powerful feature designed to streamline your drafting
process. In this post, we'll explore what tool palettes are, their
advantages, and some best practices for using them effectively.
What’s a Color Book in AutoCAD?
Designing in black and white can feel limiting at times. While lines, shapes, and dimensions are essential elements of any drafting project, incorporating color adds depth, creativity, and visual appeal to your work. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of using Color Books in AutoCAD to bring vibrancy and precision to your designs.
Understanding Lineweights in AutoCAD
As designers and draftspersons, we know that clarity and precision are
essential elements of our work. The ability to effectively communicate
our designs through clear, concise visuals is a crucial skill. One
tool that can greatly aid us in this endeavor is lineweight in
AutoCAD.
Mastering Block Visibility States in AutoCAD
This powerful tool allows designers to
control the visibility of specific components within blocks, enabling
us to toggle their on and off status with ease. Let's delve deeper
into understanding what Block Visibility States are and how they can
benefit your design workflow.
AutoCAD Blocks
If you’ve spent any amount of time working in AutoCAD, you’ve probably run into repetitive elements in your drawings. Maybe it’s a set of chairs in a floor plan, fasteners in a furniture assembly, or even a company title block. Manually drawing and editing each instance of these elements is not only tedious—it’s a recipe for mistakes. That’s where blocks come in.
Mastering AutoCAD Layers
Layers let you control visibility, manage object properties, and keep complex projects tidy. Whether you’re laying out a restaurant floor plan, detailing a furniture assembly, or coordinating with other designers, a good layer strategy is essential.
Annotative Scaling
One of the most common frustrations in CAD drafting is making text, dimensions, and hatches look consistent across multiple viewports or drawing scales. Without a strategy, you end up resizing annotations manually—sometimes multiple times—just to make sure they’re legible on different sheets. That’s where annotative scaling comes in.
Model Space vs. Paper Space
If you’re new to AutoCAD, few concepts cause more confusion than model space and paper space. Both are essential parts of the drafting process, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding how to use them together is one of the biggest steps toward producing professional, efficient drawings.