Architectural Drafting Course

Lesson 1 • Line Types and Drawing Standards

Covers standardized line weights, types, and their architectural meanings. Correct line usage is the foundation for readable construction documents.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Tools and Equipment

Introduces manual and digital drafting instruments and their correct use. Establishes tool selection habits that support precision throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Geometric Construction Techniques

Teaches precise construction of angles, polygons, and curves using drafting instruments. These geometric skills underpin all plan and elevation work.

Lesson 4 • Sheet Layout and Title Blocks

Explains standard sheet sizes, border layouts, and title block content. Proper sheet organisation is required for professional document submission.

Lesson 1 • Auxiliary and Detail Views

Introduces auxiliary projections for inclined surfaces and enlarged detail views. These views resolve complex geometry that standard views cannot fully describe.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Orthographic Projection

Explains first-angle and third-angle projection systems and their spatial logic. Understanding projection theory is essential before drawing any architectural view.

Lesson 3 • Elevation Views

Teaches exterior and interior elevation drawing, including material indication and height references. Elevations communicate facade design and vertical relationships.

Lesson 4 • Section Views and Cutting Planes

Explains how cutting planes reveal interior construction and spatial relationships. Section drawings are critical for communicating structural and assembly details.

Lesson 1 • Dimensioning Systems and Rules

Covers aligned, unidirectional, and chain dimensioning methods and their placement rules. Consistent dimensioning prevents construction errors and contractor confusion.

Lesson 2 • Symbols, Abbreviations, and Keynotes

Introduces standard architectural symbols, material abbreviations, and keynote systems. Symbols reduce drawing clutter while maintaining complete information.

Lesson 3 • Schedules and Drawing Coordination

Explains how door, window, and finish schedules link to plan symbols. Coordinated schedules ensure consistency across an entire drawing set.

Lesson 4 • Architectural Dimensioning Conventions

Applies dimensioning specifically to walls, openings, and structural grids in architectural drawings. These conventions differ from mechanical drafting and must be mastered separately.

Lesson 1 • Two-Point Perspective Drawing

Extends perspective theory to two vanishing points for exterior building views. Two-point perspective is the standard method for architectural presentation drawings.

Lesson 2 • One-Point Perspective Drawing

Introduces the vanishing point, horizon line, and station point for interior and exterior views. One-point perspective is ideal for corridor and room interior presentations.

Lesson 3 • Isometric Drawing Fundamentals

Teaches the 30-degree isometric grid and construction of rectilinear forms. Isometric drawing is the fastest manual method for 3D architectural communication.

Lesson 4 • Rendering Techniques for Pictorial Drawings

Applies line weight, hatching, and tone to enhance depth and material quality in pictorial views. Effective rendering elevates drawings from technical to presentation quality.

Lesson 1 • Site Plans and Survey Information

Covers topographic survey data, property boundaries, and site plan content requirements. Site plans establish the legal and physical context for all building drawings.

Lesson 2 • Accessibility and Code Compliance in Plans

Integrates accessible design dimensions and clearances into floor plan documentation. Plans must demonstrate compliance with accessibility requirements before permit submission.

Lesson 3 • Floor Plan Drawing Workflow

Establishes a step-by-step process for drafting accurate floor plans from structural grids to finish elements. A systematic workflow reduces errors and speeds production.

Lesson 4 • Coordinating Plans Across Drawing Sets

Teaches cross-referencing between architectural, structural, and MEP plans. Coordination prevents conflicts and ensures all disciplines share a consistent spatial framework.

Lesson 1 • Interior Elevations and Millwork Details

Covers interior elevation drawing for kitchens, bathrooms, and custom millwork. Interior elevations guide finish contractors and cabinet fabricators.

Lesson 2 • Connection and Stair Details

Produces enlarged details for structural connections, stair geometry, and handrail profiles. Accurate details prevent field errors in complex assemblies.

Lesson 3 • Building Section Drawing

Covers selection of section cut locations and full building section composition. Strategic section placement maximises information about spatial and structural relationships.

Lesson 4 • Exterior Elevation Production

Teaches systematic elevation drawing including material indication, fenestration, and grade. Complete elevations communicate facade intent to clients and contractors.

Lesson 1 • Blocks, Symbols, and External References

Teaches creation and management of reusable blocks and external reference files. Blocks and XREFs reduce redundancy and maintain consistency across large drawing sets.

Lesson 2 • Layer Management and Standards

Establishes layer naming conventions, colour coding, and line weight assignment in CAD. Consistent layer standards enable efficient drawing exchange between firms.

Lesson 3 • Plotting, Layouts, and Sheet Output

Covers paper space layouts, viewport scaling, and plot style configuration for professional output. Correct plot setup ensures drawings print at intended scale and line weight.

Lesson 4 • CAD Interface and File Management

Introduces the CAD workspace, command structure, and file organisation protocols. Efficient file management prevents data loss and supports team collaboration.

Lesson 1 • Generating Views and Sheets from the Model

Teaches automatic generation of plans, sections, elevations, and 3D views from the BIM model. Model-derived views update automatically when the model changes, reducing manual revision.

Lesson 2 • BIM Concepts and Workflow

Explains the BIM paradigm, model-based documentation, and collaboration protocols. Understanding BIM workflow distinguishes it fundamentally from 2D CAD practice.

Lesson 3 • Schedules, Tags, and Model Coordination

Produces automated schedules and applies tags to model elements for complete documentation. Coordinated tags and schedules eliminate manual data entry errors in drawing sets.

Lesson 4 • Modelling Walls, Floors, and Roofs

Covers parametric creation of primary building elements and their assembly properties. Accurate element modelling ensures that extracted drawings reflect true construction intent.