Intermediate AutoCAD Course Overview
What Will You Learn?
The Intermediate AutoCAD course builds upon the fundamental concepts of 2D drafting, focusing on advanced drawing techniques, project setup, and construction documentation. This course emphasizes floor plans, roof plans, elevations, and plotting workflows, ensuring students gain hands-on experience with real-world architectural and engineering projects.
By completing this course, you will:
- Develop expertise in advanced drawing and annotation techniques.
- Gain proficiency in structural, electrical, and foundation plan creation.
- Learn how to organize sheets, set up layouts, and refine project workflows.
- Understand best practices for AutoCAD elevations and visualization techniques.
- Master finalizing, checking, and plotting professional drawings.
Why Learn AutoCAD with VDCI?
VDCI is an industry-recognized Autodesk Training Center that provides students with professional AutoCAD instruction tailored to real-world applications.
- Autodesk-Certified Training: Learn from an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC) with industry-recognized certifications.
- Project-Based Learning: Work on real-world projects that mirror industry drafting standards.
- Flexible Learning Options: Access structured content at your own pace, with expert support and guidance.
- Cost-Effective Education: Gain top-tier CAD training at an affordable price.
- Experienced Instructors: Learn from professionals with years of experience in architectural, structural, and electrical drafting.
- Career Advancement: Earn digital certificates that validate your AutoCAD skills for employers.
- Portfolio Development: Create professional CAD drawings to enhance your resume and showcase your expertise.
Course Lessons and Projects
Lesson 1: Create the Floor Plan & Sheet Setup
This lesson introduces students to floor plan design and sheet layout setup.
Skills Learned:
- Creating floor plans with accurate dimensions and wall layouts.
- Setting up layers, line types, and object properties.
- Configuring title blocks, viewports, and sheet templates.
- Organizing drawing files for multi-sheet projects.
- Managing scale and annotation settings for clarity.
Project: Develop a detailed architectural floor plan, incorporating walls, doors, windows, and sheet setup.
Lesson 2: Finish Floor Plan & Roof Plan
Students will refine floor plans and introduce roof plan design techniques.
Skills Learned:
- Completing interior layouts, room divisions, and furniture placement.
- Integrating roof slopes, overhangs, and drainage details.
- Configuring hatching and material representation for walls and roofs.
- Adjusting view styles and layer visibility for clarity.
- Enhancing architectural plans with dimensioning and labeling.
Project: Finalize an architectural floor plan and roof plan, ensuring accurate detailing and clarity.
Lesson 3: Structural Foundation Plan & Electrical Plan
This lesson focuses on structural and electrical documentation workflows.
Skills Learned:
- Creating foundation plans, footings, and reinforcement details.
- Placing electrical symbols, outlets, and wiring paths.
- Configuring electrical circuits and load distribution layouts.
- Managing hatch patterns and line weights for structural drawings.
- Integrating foundation details with architectural floor plans.
Project: Develop a foundation and electrical plan, ensuring proper system coordination.
Lesson 4: Starting the Elevations
Students will explore elevation drawing techniques, representing building facades and vertical elements.
Skills Learned:
- Drawing front, side, and rear elevations from floor plans.
- Configuring heights, rooflines, and exterior finishes.
- Managing hatch patterns for material representation.
- Enhancing elevations with annotation, labels, and reference markers.
- Applying line weight hierarchy for improved readability.
Project: Create a set of building elevations, incorporating rooflines, openings, and material details.
Lesson 5: Continuing the Elevations
This lesson refines elevation details, ensuring construction accuracy.
Skills Learned:
- Adjusting line weights and drawing clarity.
- Enhancing window, door, and structural features.
- Managing elevation symbols, annotations, and notes.
- Refining roof overhangs, trim details, and exterior finishes.
- Aligning elevations with corresponding floor plans.
Project: Complete building elevations, ensuring proportions, dimensions, and annotations meet construction standards.
Lesson 6: Finalizing, Checking & Plotting
Students will focus on quality control, final detailing, and plotting techniques.
Skills Learned:
- Reviewing drawings for accuracy, consistency, and standards compliance.
- Finalizing dimensioning, annotation styles, and layer management.
- Configuring plot settings, sheet layouts, and paper sizes.
- Managing CTB and STB styles for professional output.
- Exporting drawings in PDF and DWG formats for client review.
Project: Produce a fully annotated, plotted, and checked drawing set, ensuring construction-readiness and professional presentation.
Key Skills You Will Walk Away With
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD drafting and annotation techniques.
- Expertise in creating structural, electrical, and architectural plans.
- Ability to develop detailed floor plans, elevations, and construction documents.
- Skills in sheet setup, title block organization, and plotting workflows.
- Hands-on experience in professional AutoCAD documentation and project execution.
Career Applications & Industry Relevance
The skills developed in this course are highly valuable in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) drafting. Career paths that benefit from this training include:
- Architectural Drafter: Develop expertise in floor plans, elevations, and project documentation.
- CAD Technician: Work on detailed 2D technical drawings for construction and engineering projects.
- Construction Coordinator: Manage AutoCAD drawings for site layouts and project planning.
- MEP Designer: Create technical schematics for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
- Facility Manager: Maintain as-built documentation using AutoCAD.
With the increasing reliance on AutoCAD for project documentation, proficiency in Intermediate AutoCAD provides professionals with a competitive edge in architectural drafting, construction planning, and technical design.
