Online AutoCAD Software Drafting Training Program Curriculum

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The program provides students with the necessary skills for entry into the field of drafting. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to create mechanical and architectural drawings, both by hand and using AutoCAD software.

Program Outcomes

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

Be familiar with the basic techniques used in sketching and with occupations that use drafting language
Complete drawings using orthographic projection, points of view, and shape descriptions
Know the techniques of lettering, and recognize the lines used in mechanical and architectural drawings as well as the representation of math operations in drafting
Understand the use of drafting vocabulary, geometry, and instruments in the layout of drafting problems and geometric designs
Describe size and shape using the regular views of drafting and the principal views of orthographic projection
Work with various views, projections, tolerancing techniques, dimensions, and control frames
Complete working drawings and become familiar with the capabilities, applications, and development of computer software drawing programs
Understand the capabilities, applications, and development of AutoCAD and use it to draw basic objects using lines, circles, and arcs
Become proficient with the advanced applications of the software including plotting/printing, drawing file storage and sharing, software personalization, and basic 3D modeling.
Prepare an AutoCAD drawing representing a plat map of a subdivision, using blocks, layers, linetypes, and annotations
Prepare complete sets of architectural and civil drawings for a site plan, transit lines, and plans and profiles from survey information
Prepare complete HVAC drawings, electrical diagrams and cable assemblies, industrial electrical schematics, and electronic block and schematic diagrams

Starting Your Program

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program.

Objectives:

Understand how to use your Student Portal.
Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.

The Drafter's World Language

Objectives:

Study basic techniques used in sketching.
Become familiar with occupations that use the drafter’s world language.

Size and Shape Description

Objectives:

Study orthographic projection.
Learn about points of view.
Understand shape descriptions.

Introduction to CAD Technology

Objectives:

Use basic CAD equipment.
Study coordinate systems.
Learn various software features used with CAD programs.

Additional Unit Materials

Project Booklet: Spatial Relationship

Learning Aids:

Appendices and Glossary
How to Use Your Architect Scale
How to Use Your Mechanical Scale
How to Use Your Civil Engineer Scale
How to Use Your Metric Scale
Drafting Kit 1. This kit includes a drafting pencil, leads, templates, scales, and other common drafting items

Sketching, Lettering, and Lines

Objectives:

Sketch lines, circles, arcs, and multiviews properly.
Learn important sketching techniques.

Basic Drafting Math

Objectives:

Understand basic math ground rules.
Learn signs of operation and how they are represented in drafting.

Additional Unit Materials

Learning Aid: Drafting Kit 2 -This kit contains a compass, a divider, and a triangle.

Drafting Equipment, Media, and Reproduction Methods

Objectives:

Study various equipment and supplies used in the industry.
Learn about scales, drafting machine verniers, and drafting media.

Orthographic Projection (Sketching)

Objectives:

Learn size and shape description.
Study the three regular views of drafting.
Understand the six principal views of orthographic projection.

Geometric Construction

Objectives:

Draw parallel and perpendicular lines.
Construct bisectors.
Create polygons, tangencies, and ellipses.

Additional Unit Materials

Project Booklet: Applied Geometry

Learning Aids:

Orthographic Sketching Workbook
Drafting Kit 3 -This kit includes a triangle, a lettering guide, and drafting pencil and leads.

Multiviews and Auxiliary Views

Objectives:

Create single-view and multiview drawings.
Learn first- and third-angle projection.

Dimensioning

Objectives:

Study dimensioning systems.
Learn correct tolerancing techniques.

Sections, Revolutions, and Conventional Breaks

Objectives:

Make sectional views.
Modify standard sectioning techniques.

Geometric Tolerancing

Objectives:

Establish basic dimensions.
Identify proper feature control frames.
Determine the virtual condition of features.

Working Drawings

Objectives:

Complete sets of working drawings.
Prepare engineering changes.

Pictorial Drawings

Objectives:

Draw three-dimensional objects using 3-D coordinates.
Create isometric, dimetric, and trimetric drawings.
Learn about one-, two-, and three-point perspective.

Working with AutoCAD®, Part 1

Objectives:

Learn and use the basic functions of AutoCAD® 2017 software.
Open or begin a drawing, save your work, and safely exit the software.
Use help menus, dialog boxes, and software features associated with basic drafting options.
Construct basic geometric objects.

Working with AutoCAD®, Part 2

Objectives:

Study basic operations of AutoCAD.®
Build on what you’ve already learned to create new drawings with AutoCAD.®
Insert various lines and text.
Construct complex geometric figures while using the advanced object selection method.
Properly dimension a drawing and properly configure your work for plotting.

Additional Unit Materials

Project Booklet: AutoCAD® Basic Commands

Software: Students will have access to a free, 3-year student version of AutoCAD^® from Autodesk.^®

Textbook: Discovering AutoCAD® 2017

Working with AutoCAD®, Part 3

Objectives:

Continue to use AutoCAD® to build on what you learned in your previous course.
Study dimensioning, plotting, and printing.
Learn about hatching commands.
Create and insert block references.

Working with AutoCAD®, Part 4

Objectives:

Build on skills you developed in your previous course.
Attach and detach reference files.
Use the AutoCAD® Design Center.
Learn utility commands.

Working with AutoCAD®, Part 5

Objectives:

Understand and apply the basics of 3-D drawings.
Create 3-D drawings with AutoCAD.®
Render and digitize tablets.
Digitize and customize drawings.
Use the Internet within the AutoCAD® process.
Learn about digitizing tablets and customizing AutoCAD® for your specific drafting needs.

Additional Unit Material

Project Booklet: AutoCAD® Commands: Blocks and Layers

Structural Drafting with Basic Architectural Applications

Objectives: