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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 in using AutoCAD® software functions and commands to create geometric objects and 3D drawings. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to create mechanical and architectural drawings using AutoCAD® software.
Program Outcomes

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

  • 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

In this course, you'll learn about basic, introductory AutoCAD® software functions. This includes essential tools and how to draw lines and circles. You'll also learn about layers, colors, linetypes, and a variety of other commonly used functions to create AutoCAD® drawings. At the end of this course, you'll practice all of these things and more in a graded project.

  • Lesson 1 Lines, Essential Tools, and Drawing Circles
  • Lesson 2 Drawing Aids, Layers, Colors, and Linetypes
  • Lesson 3 Templates, Copies, Arrays, Arcs, and Polar Arrays
  • Lesson 4 Mirror Images, Page Setups, and Object Snaps
  • Project: Basic Commands
  • Software: AutoCAD® Student Portfolio
  • Textbooks: Discovering AutoCAD®

Course 2

MET 090 AutoCAD® - Blocks and Layers

This course continues your learning of AutoCAD® software with more advanced functions. Building off of what you've already learned, you'll now look more at text and dimension functions. You’ll also learn about functions for blocks, polylines, and attributes. You’ll be instructed how to create isometric drawings, customized panels and macros, and 3D modeling. At the end of this course, you'll get a chance to practice all these new AutoCAD® skills and more with a graded project.

  • Lesson 1 Text and Dimension Fundamentals
  • Lesson 2 Dimensioning and Polylines
  • Lesson 3 Blocks, Attributes, and External References
  • Lesson 4 Isometric Drawing, Customized Panels, the CUI Dialog Box, and Macros
  • Lesson 5 3D Modeling
  • Lesson 6 More Modeling Techniques and Commands
  • Project: AutoCAD® Commands: Blocks and Layers

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later, and an email account to 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.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, 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 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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