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Online AutoCAD® Essentials Training Program

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Why ICS Canada?

  • DEAC Accredited
  • Self-Paced
  • Supportive
  • Low monthly payments

Program Overview

Develop your AutoCAD® skills with ICS Canada’s online AutoCAD® Essentials Training Certificate Program. Get AutoCAD® training with AutoCAD® software functions and commands, and gain the knowledge and skills that can help you create geometric objects and 3D drawings. As an AutoCAD® student with ICS Canada, you can learn at your own pace, gaining new skills in a flexible, convenient way. And you can even complete this program in as little as five months!¹

Curriculum Details

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The AutoCAD Essentials Career Certificate program provides students with a background to understand the capabilities and uses of the basic AutoCAD software platform. Upon completion of the course student will be proficient with the applications of the software including plotting/printing, file sharing and storage, software personalization, and basic 3D modeling concepts.
Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Upon completion of the course, students will be able to
  • Create mechanical and architectural drawings using AutoCAD software.
  • Change GRID, SNAP, Plot, and Unit settings
  • Draw circles and arcs
  • Create and modify drawing layers, tables, and fields Edit objects using the FILLET and CHAMFER commands
  • Create a drawing template in AutoCAD
  • Use commands, including MOVE, COPY, ARRAY, ROTATE, OFFSET, TRIM, EXTEND, STRETCH, LENGTHEN, and BREAK
  • Create and modify plot layouts
  • Enter and edit text, change text fonts and styles, and use dimensions and leaders
  • Use polylines to draw complex objects and shapes
  • Create groups and blocks; use external references
  • Explain how the 3D Basics workspace and coordinate systems are used; describe how constructive geometry commands are used to create composite solid objects

Course 1

MET 080 AutoCAD® - Basic Commands

This course provides instruction and practice on the basic functions of AutoCAD® software. The student will learn to open or begin a drawing, save their work and safely exit the software. They will also use help menus, dialog boxes, and software features associated with basic drafting options. Also covered is the construction of basic geometric objects, as well as the insertion of various lines and text, followed by the construction of complex geometric figures while using advanced object selection method. The student will also learn to properly dimension a drawing and properly configure their work for plotting. The student will submit an AutoCAD® drawing constructed using the basic commands and techniques learned throughout the course. (The drawing will be submitted electronically.)

  • Lesson 1 Working with AutoCAD®, Part 1
  • Lesson 2 Working with AutoCAD®, Part 2
  • Project: Basic Commands
  • Software: AutoCAD® Student Portfolio
  • Textbooks: Discovering AutoCAD®

Course 2

MET 090 AutoCAD® - Blocks and Layers

In this course the student will build upon skills developed in MET 080. Coverage includes hatching commands, the creation and insertion of block references, attaching and detaching reference files, and using the AutoCAD® Design Center. The student will also learn utility commands, the basics of 3D drawings, and using the Internet within the AutoCAD® process. The course concludes with instruction on digitizing tablets and the process of customizing AutoCAD® for your specific drafting needs. The student will submit an AutoCAD® drawing using more advanced techniques and features of AutoCAD.® (The drawing will be submitted electronically.)

  • Lesson 1 Working with AutoCAD®, Part 3
  • Lesson 2 Working with AutoCAD®, Part 4
  • Lesson 3 Working with AutoCAD®, Part 5
  • Project: AutoCAD® Commands: Blocks and Layers

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need high-speed internet access to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 7® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running OS X® or later, and an email account to participate in and complete your program.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
In order to further enhance your performance in this field, ICS has researched and recommended specific practical activities designed to complement your coursework.
To ensure that you acquire the manual skills which are important in this program area, we encourage you to follow all of the course instruction.
AutoCAD is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Sample Lesson

To view an AutoCAD® Essentials sample lesson, click here.

AutoCAD® Essentials Training Program Details

Students enrolling in ICS Canada’s AutoCAD® Essentials Certificate Program should possess a solid background in a Windows®-based PC environment and should also have an educational or work-related background in basic drafting. Students who do not have the necessary prerequisite skills should consider ICS Canada's Drafting with AutoCAD® Career Diploma Program.

Online AutoCAD training program

AutoCAD® helps drafters to coordinate systems and software to create technical plans. Many architectural, mechanical, and civil engineering firms use AutoCAD®. Here are a few qualities that effective drafters have in common:

  • Detail oriented: It’s important to have a sharp eye and check things twice.
  • Cooperative: You are pleasant, receptive, and work well with others.
  • Honest: Engineering requires integrity and a good sense of ethics.
  • Persistent: Your job requires focus and determination in the face of obstacles.

"I recently changed careers from being a golf professional to an engineering support tech at an offshore drilling service company. Even though the customer service and computer skills I had previous to my training with ICS Canada were great, I still had a long way to go to get to where I wanted to be in my career. The AutoCAD essentials course helped me do just that. I learned AutoCAD on my own time, at home and at work, and with the most user-friendly programs I have ever used. Thank you, ICS!"

- Mark F., AutoCAD Essentials graduate

"I have taken three diploma courses with ICS Canada. It has been very rewarding and challenging. I love to increase my knowledge level and share experiences. ICS Canada is great. Enrol! The contact with them is always very pleasant. You feel like a part of the ICS team."

- Connie K., ICS Canada graduate

Your program includes:

  • Customized payment plans with 0% interest
  • Learning aids, including AutoCAD® software and textbook
  • Study Planner App to customize your study plans and keep track of your progress
  • Instructional support from our experienced faculty
  • Your personalized online student homepage and learning portal
  • Exclusive access to ICS Canada’s Student and Alumni Facebook Group
  • Additional resources such as our online library and career guidance from Career Cruising

Is the AutoCAD® Software provided by ICS Canada or do students have to purchase it?

At no additional cost, you can download a 3-year student version of AutoCAD® from AutoDesk® with your program. Or, you can purchase AutoCAD® software independently of ICS Canada.

What are the AutoCAD® software requirements?

AutoCAD® is compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 7 (32 or 64 bit) with Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology; or Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional or Home edition (SP3 or later) with Pentium® 4 or AMD dual-core processor, 1.6 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology; 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended); 6 GB free disk space for installation. (Note AutoCAD® is NOT compatible with Windows Vista®.)

What are some career options for engineering drafters?

Engineering drafters work at many different companies, including automotive companies and dealerships, and construction, landscaping, or patenting companies. The completion of a certificate-level program does not typically qualify a student for employment. Completion of this program may assist students who have previous academic or work-related experience improve their chances for promotion or entry-level employment.

More FAQs >

¹ The completion of a certificate-level program does not typically qualify a student for employment. Completion of this program may assist students who have previous academic or work-related experience to improve their chances for promotion or entry-level employment.

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