AutoCAD 2026: Essentials (Metric Units)

Please note: The print version of this guide is printed in black and white with images in grayscale.

The AutoCAD ® 2026: Essentials guide is designed for those using AutoCAD ® 2026 with a Windows operating system. This guide is not designed for the AutoCAD for Mac software.

The objective of AutoCAD 2026: Essentials is to enable you to create, modify, and work with a 2D drawing in the AutoCAD software.

This guide covers the essential core topics for working with the AutoCAD software. The guide begins with learning the basic tools for creating and editing 2D drawings. It then continues to explore the tools used to annotate drawings by adding text, hatching, dimensions, and tables. More advanced tools, such as working with blocks and setting up layouts, are introduced to improve your efficiency with the software. Not every command or option is covered, because the intent is to show the essential tools and concepts.

Topics Covered

Understanding the AutoCAD workspace and user interface
Using basic drawing, editing, and viewing tools
Organizing drawing objects on layers
Using reusable symbols (blocks)
Preparing a layout to be plotted
Adding text, hatching, and dimensions

Prerequisites

Access to the 2026.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide are not compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2025).
A working knowledge of basic design/drafting procedures and terminology.
A working knowledge of your operating system.