Learn AutoCAD with our Free Tutorials
Welcome to CADTutor
CADTutor provides the best free tutorials and articles for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and associated applications along with a friendly community forum. If you need to learn AutoCAD, or you want to be more productive, you're in the right place. See our tip of the day to start learning right now!
Free Tutorials and More…
The Tutorials section provides over 100 original tutorials for AutoCAD, 3ds Max and other design applications. Michael’s Corner is an archive of productivity articles that brings you the best AutoCAD tips and tricks. Our Forum is a lively community where AutoCAD users can ask questions and get answers. The Downloads area provides free AutoCAD blocks, free AutoLISP routines and free images.
Tutorials of the Moment
Recently viewed tutorials
-
Adding Sunlight to your Drawings
This tutorial takes you through the steps required to add realistic sunlight effects to your 3D model. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 1 minute ago
-
Dimensioning
This tutorial describes the options and commands available for dimensioning drawings and how to use them. The correct use of AutoCADs dimension tools is the key to producing clear and concise measured drawings. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
The Interface
This tutorial gives a brief explanation of the MAX interface items commonly used and introduces you to the important areas of the interface. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
Creating Selections from Image Masks
This simple 7-step tutorial describes the best method for using the images supplied in the CADTutor Image Bank. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 2 minutes ago
-
All About Shadows
This tutorial considers the various options for creating shadows when rendering 3D models. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 5 minutes ago
-
Object Snap
A tutorial giving an overview of all the AutoCAD object snaps (osnaps) with some worked examples. The tutorial also covers the use of temporary tracking points and object snap tracking. Format: Text/Image
Last visited: 6 minutes ago
CADTutor Tutorials
Our tutorials are comprehensive but straightforward introductions to AutoCAD and related software. They are designed to help beginners get to grips with design workflows as quickly as possible. There are over 100 to choose from, some text/image based and others in video format. Whatever stage you are at in your learning, you should find a tutorial to help.
Forum Latest
Currently Active Topics
Parametric wardrobe, kitchen & cabinet automation in AutoLISP — anyone working on similar?
by zenmar
5 replies
Last post: 1 hour ago
GNSS on AutoCAD
by PGia
4 replies
Last post: 7 hours ago
AI taking over
by BIGAL
11 replies
Last post: 7 hours ago
Multiple tags updated with the same value.
by Jeff Kiper
3 replies
Last post: 22 hours ago
about grread deselect objects
by masao_8
5 replies
Last post: 86 hours ago
Insert a copy of the block at the specified point. CopyRenameBlockV1-5.lsp /Lee Mac/
by Nikon
18 replies
Last post: 101 hours ago
This Week's Hot Topics
AI taking over
by BIGAL
11 replies
Viewed: 0 times
about grread deselect objects
by masao_8
5 replies
Viewed: 0 times
GNSS on AutoCAD
by PGia
4 replies
Viewed: 0 times
CADTutor Forums
Our forum is a vibrant community of experts and beginners. The main focus is helping beginners get to grips with AutoCAD and to help more advanced users become more productive. The AutoLISP forum is one of the busiest out there, providing expert advice for busy professionals.
AutoCAD Productivity
Use the INSERT Osnap on Blocks
From: AutoCAD Productivity Articles #134
Originally published: June 2014

In Michael's Corner February 2013 I covered the use of the Insert object snap for text. It also happens to be the Osnap you can use for Blocks.
When you need to snap to the insertion point of a block, I don't bother to set it as an Osnap since it's such a seldom-used feature. When the time comes, simply Shift + Right-click to display the Osnap shortcut menu, then click Insert or use the ‘INS’ keyboard shortcut.
See all the articles published in June 2014
Michael's Corner
Between 2003 and 2016, Michael Beall (and one or two guests) wrote almost 600 articles for CADTutor. The focus of these articles is AutoCAD productivity, and although some of them are now more than a few years old, most remain relevant to current versions of AutoCAD. The article above is just one example. Check out Michael's Corner for a full listing.
Image of the Week
-
15th – 21st June 2026
This week's image is by CADken
Software used: SketchUp and Kerkythea
-
Last Week's Image
Last week's image is by Jay C
Software used: Revit
-
Two Weeks Ago
This image is by khama
Software used: AutoCAD 2006
-
Three Weeks Ago
This image is by Steven Leech
Software used: AutoCAD 2009
Gallery of Work
Over the years, our forum members have contributed hundreds of images, showcasing their amazing work. The images above are just a small selection that demonstrate the wide range of project types our community is involved with. Take a look at our gallery to see all the images published in the last 12 months.
Tip of the Day
Add additional "standard scales"
To create additional "standard scales" in AutoCAD, type SCALELISTEDIT. You will then see the Edit Scale List dialog, shown on the right.
Click on the Add… button. In the Add scale dialog, enter the name of the scale, for example "1:1250", this is the name that will appear in the list. Then enter the Paper units and Drawing units as desired.
Note: "Drawing units" refers to the modelspace units.
Missed a Tip?
Did you miss yesterday's tip? Maybe you forgot to drop by or maybe you don't visit over the weekend. If so, you can now see all the tips published during the past week. Also, if you have a tip you'd like to share with us, you can post it on our forum and if we like it, we'll publish it here.