1.

0 PREAMBLE
1.1 Introduc on
Welcome to the AutoCAD Beginner's Course! This syllabus is designed to introduce you to the
fundamentals of AutoCAD, a leading so ware applica on used for computer-aided design (CAD) in
various fields, including architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.

In this course, you will gain a solid founda on in AutoCAD's core func onali es, enabling you to
create, modify, and manage 2D and 3D drawings effec vely. You will learn essen al concepts such as
drawing techniques, layer management, dimensioning, and annota on, all of which are crucial for
producing professional-quality designs.

Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on prac cal exercises and real-world applica ons to
ensure that you not only understand the theore cal aspects but also develop hands-on skills.

1.2 Ra onale
The AutoCAD Beginner's Course is essen al for several reasons: AutoCAD is widely used across
various industries, including architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. Familiarity with this
so ware is crucial for anyone aspiring to work in these fields, making this course a valuable stepping
stone for career development. The course provides a solid founda on in essen al CAD principles and
techniques. Mastering the basics is vital for progressing to more advanced features and tools within
AutoCAD, enabling learners to create complex designs with confidence.

Understanding AutoCAD's func onali es allows users to streamline their design processes,
improving overall produc vity. The course equips par cipants with skills to work more efficiently,
saving me in the design and dra ing stages.

Through project-based assignments, students develop problem-solving and cri cal thinking skills
essen al for tackling design challenges. These skills are invaluable in professional se ngs where
innova ve solu ons are needed.

Proficiency in AutoCAD enables be er collabora on with colleagues and clients. The course teaches
learners how to create clear, professional drawings that effec vely communicate design intent,
fostering teamwork and understanding.

As technology evolves, proficiency in AutoCAD prepares learners to adapt to new tools and features.
This adaptability is crucial in a fast-paced work environment where con nuous learning is necessary.

Comple ng the course opens doors to various career opportuni es in design and engineering fields.
Employers o en seek candidates with AutoCAD skills, making this course a valuable addi on to any
resume.

1.3 Methodology
The learner-centred approach is used in this syllabus. The Design approach will be adopted to
enhance problem-solving skills in learners. The course emphasizes prac cal exercises and real-world
applica ons, allowing learners to apply theore cal knowledge to tangible projects. This hands-on
approach reinforces learning and enhances reten on of skills. The use of Informa on
Communica on Technology (ICT) in drawing is strongly recommended.

Suggested Methods
• Discussions
 • Project work
• Group work
• Discovery
• Problem – solving
• Demonstra on
• Industrial and community a achments
• Educa onal Tours

Time Alloca on
4x35/40 minutes periods per week. At least one educa onal tour per term is recommended.

1.4 Assump ons

The syllabus assumes that learners have:

• Drawing and measuring skills

• Knowledge of resource materials
• Elements of design and model making
• Numeracy and scien fic skills
• Informa on and communica on technology skills
• Ability to use of different media

2.0 AIM
The syllabus aims to equip learners with founda onal skills and knowledge in industry standard CAD
so ware (AutoCAD) enabling them to effec vely create, modify, and manage 2D and 3D drawings,
while fostering confidence and competence for further development in design and engineering fields

3.0 SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Use the basic features and func ons of AutoCAD so ware

2. Create and edit 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD
3. Use best prac ces for organizing and managing drawings in AutoCAD
4. Annotate and dimension drawings accurately in AutoCAD
5. Plot and print drawings in AutoCAD

4.0 TOPICS
1. Ge ng started with AutoCAD
2. 2D Basic drawing & edi ng commands
3. Drawing precision in AutoCAD
4. Object proper es
5. Annota on
6. Drawing u li es
7. 3D Basics
8. Model space prin ng
Topic 1. Ge ng started in AutoCAD
Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Exploring the AutoCAD • Iden fy user-interface • Open the latest version of • Recommended text books
interface elements the so ware and explore and ICT tools
the interface
• Opening and Crea ng • Opening exis ng drawings • Use pre-loaded drawings
Drawings and crea ng new drawings and templates to prac ce
using templates opening and crea ng files.
• Naviga ng the model space • Pan and zoom • Prac ce naviga ng an
exis ng drawing
• Object selec on • Use different selec on • Prac ce selec ng objects in
methods an exis ng drawing
• User coordinate system • Iden fy the x and y axis • Understanding the cartesian
plane

Topic 2. 2D Basic drawing & edi ng commands

Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Draw panel • Use lines, circles, rectangles, • Prac ce crea ng various • Recommended text books
polygons, hatching shapes using the draw tools. and ICT tools
• Apply hatching to a sec on
of a drawing for emphasis.
• Drawing using coordinates • Create basic drawings using • Use pre-defined points to
coordinates make a drawing
• Prac ce plo ng points on a
grid.
 • Modify panel • Use move, copy, rotate, • Modify exis ng drawings
mirror, erase, trim/extend, using each tool.
fillet, chamfer, offset

Topic 3. Drawing precision in AutoCAD

Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Object snap • Use Endpoint, midpoint, • Prac ce using object snaps • Recommended text books
center, quadrant, tangent, in a drawing exercise. and ICT tools
intersec on • Create a simple geometric
design using object snaps
for precision.
• Polar tracking • Make use of polar tracking • Draw lines at specific angles
and adjust the se ngs as using polar tracking.
appropriate • Experiment with different
angle increments.
• Ortho mode • Turn on and use Ortho • Create orthogonal shapes
mode as and when like rectangles and grids.
appropriate • Prac ce switching between
Ortho mode and freehand
drawing.

Topic 4. Object proper es

Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Linetype, lineweight, colour • Use and modify linetypes, • Experiment with different • Recommended text books
lineweights, and colors linetypes and their and ICT tools
applica ons in a drawing.
 • Adjust lineweights and
colors to enhance clarity
and presenta on.

Topic 5. Annota on
Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Dimensions • Make good use of linear, • Prac ce adding various • Recommended text books
aligned, radial, diameter, types of dimensions to a and ICT tools
and angular dimensions drawing.
• Use exercises to understand
when to use each
dimension type.
• Single line text • Create and edit single line • Add labels and annota ons
text to drawings using single line
text.
• Prac ce forma ng text for
clarity and readability.

Topic 6. Drawing u li es
Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Measuring objects • Accurately measure objects • Prac ce using measurement • Recommended text books
in a drawing tools to find distances, and ICT tools
angles, and areas.
Topic 3D Basics
Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• 3D Naviga on tools • Navigate 3D models • Prac ce using orbit, pan, • Recommended text books
effec vely and zoom in a 3D and ICT tools
environment.
• Explore different views and
perspec ves.
• Solid primi ves • Create and modify basic 3D • Experiment with crea ng
shapes cubes, spheres, cylinders,
etc.
• Boolean opera ons • Apply Boolean opera ons to • Prac ce using union,
combine or subtract solids subtract, and intersect on
3D objects.
• Create complex models by
combining shapes.
• Visual styles • Apply different visual styles • Explore different visual • Recommended text books
to view 3D models styles such as wireframe and ICT tools
and shaded.

Topic 8. Model space prin ng

Key-concept Objec ve Suggested notes and ac vi es Suggested resources
Learners should be able to;
• Model space prin ng • Appropriately posi on and • Prac ce popula ng a tle • Recommended text books
scale their drawing within block with a drawing and and ICT tools
the boundaries of their tle relevant informa on.
block
 ASSESSMENT OF LEARNER PERFORMANCE IN
AUTOCAD

Theory
25%

Practical
75%

Summa ve Assessment
Paper 1 – Computer Aided Design – AutoCAD Level 1

Sec on A (Theory) = 25 marks, compulsory

Sec on B (Prac cal) = 50 marks, compulsory

Sec on C (Project) = 25 marks, Answer x ques ons