- CADCraft tutorial basics: start drafting in the browser with no desktop install required.
- Command line is the core workflow — enter commands like L, C, and TR directly.
- Layers and layouts keep complex 2D drawings organized and presentation-ready.
- DWG and DXF support means existing drawings can be opened, edited, and exported.
- Independent product: CADCraft is not AutoCAD, but command habits transfer easily.
What Is CADCraft and Who Is This Tutorial For?
This CADCraft tutorial targets first-time users of CADCraft, an open-source CAD and BIM toolset for architects, engineers, drafters, estimators, and detailers. The 2D drafting app runs in a browser early version today, with desktop editions for macOS, Windows, and Linux planned. The official site presents it as part of a family of eight applications covering drafting, modeling, documentation, takeoff, civil design, detailing, markup, and parts workflows.
If you come from a command-driven CAD background, the learning curve is short. If you are new to CAD entirely, this tutorial walks you through everything from opening the app to exporting a finished drawing.
CADCraft is an independent application. It is not made by or affiliated with Autodesk, but its command-line style, aliases, and layer/layout concepts feel familiar to AutoCAD users.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Product type | Open-source CAD/BIM toolset |
| Access mode | Browser early version available now |
| Planned platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Key file formats | DWG, DXF (plus PDF and SVG output) |
| Apps in family | 8 application directions |
| Best for | Drafters, architects, engineers, estimators, detailers |
CADCraft Tutorial: First Drawing in Six Steps
The fastest way to learn CADCraft is to complete one simple drawing end to end. Follow this sequence in the browser workspace — it covers interface orientation, command entry, geometry creation, editing, and saving.
Open CADCraft in the Browser
Launch the CADCraft browser application from the official website. Choose an existing drawing or start a new session, then wait for the canvas and command interface to load. No desktop installation is needed.
Learn the Workspace
Identify the drawing canvas for geometry, the tool controls, the command line for entering commands and options, and the drawing-management areas. Always review the active drawing state before starting an operation.
Use the Command Line
Enter a command or its alias — for example L for Line. Follow the prompts and supply points, distances, selections, or options. Press Enter to complete a command or repeat the previous one.
Create a Simple Drawing
Start the Line command, pick a first point, add more points, and finish the sequence. Then use Circle (C) or another basic command to add a second element to the same drawing.
Edit and Organize
Use Move (M) or Copy (CO) to reposition or duplicate geometry. Use Trim (TR) or Extend (EX) to clean intersections and endpoints. Assign objects to appropriate layers.
Review and Save
Inspect the drawing at a useful zoom level, confirm edits and layer assignments, then save or export the drawing in the format your workflow requires.
Before closing the browser session, confirm your changes are saved or exported. The upload is not the deliverable — export a separate copy of the revised work.
Core Commands Reference
CADCraft's command-driven workflow relies on short aliases for speed. This reference table groups the commands you will use most in everyday 2D drafting work.
| Command | Alias | Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Drawing | Creates straight segments between selected points |
| Circle | C | Drawing | Creates circles from a center point and radius |
| Trim | TR | Modify | Removes unwanted geometry at selected boundaries |
| Extend | EX | Modify | Extends geometry to a suitable boundary |
| Offset | O | Modify | Creates parallel or concentric copies at a set distance |
| Move | M | Modify | Repositions objects from a base point to a destination |
| Copy | CO | Modify | Duplicates selected objects |
| Layer | Layer tools | Layers | Organizes geometry into named, controlled layers |
| Dimension | Dim tools | Annotation | Adds measurements and documentation |
| Open/Save | File tools | File | Loads or preserves drawings in supported formats |
Enter commands through the keyboard instead of hunting toolbar buttons. Pressing Enter after a completed command repeats it — ideal for repetitive drafting tasks like drawing a series of connected lines.
Layers, Documentation, and Output Features
Beyond basic geometry, CADCraft includes the organizational and documentation features expected for professional 2D work. Use these capabilities to keep complex drawings readable and output-ready.
2D Drafting
- Line-based geometry construction
- Command and alias entry
- Interactive point selection
Layers
- Layer-based organization
- Controlled visibility
- Structured drafting workflows
Linetypes and Lineweights
- Linetype and lineweight control
- Visual hierarchy
- Documentation-ready styling
Blocks
- Reusable drawing content
- Consistent repeated elements
- Efficient symbol placement
Layouts
- Sheet organization
- Separates model content from plotted sheets
- Output preparation
Scaled Printing
- Print-scale preparation
- Layout output
- Consistent sheet presentation
Separating walls, dimensions, annotations, and symbols into layers makes complex files easier to edit, review, and print. Establish a layer convention before your drawing grows large.
File Formats: DWG, DXF, PDF, and SVG
File compatibility is one of the most common questions in any CADCraft tutorial. The workflow supports opening existing CAD drawings, editing them, and exporting results in several formats.
| Format | Type | Workflow Stage | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| DWG | CAD drawing format | Open, edit, save, export | Working with existing CAD drawings and structured 2D content |
| DXF | CAD exchange format | Open, edit, save, export | Exchanging geometry between compatible applications |
| Document/print format | Export | Fixed-layout review copies and printed output | |
| SVG | Vector graphic format | Export | Scalable vector use in compatible design tools |
For migrating an existing drawing, check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale-related output settings immediately after opening the file. Small mapping issues are easier to fix before you start editing.
Use DWG when your downstream workflow needs a standard CAD drawing format; use DXF when interoperability is the priority; use PDF for review copies and SVG for vector graphics.
Coming from AutoCAD? Migration Tips
Users searching for a CADCraft tutorial often arrive from AutoCAD. The transition is smooth because the core interaction patterns align, but treat CADCraft as its own product.
| AutoCAD Habit | CADCraft Equivalent | Migration Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Command-line entry | Command-line workflow | Same prompt-driven operation style |
| Short aliases (L, C, TR) | Command aliases | Keyboard habits carry over directly |
| Layer management | Layers | Apply your existing layer conventions |
| Paper space layouts | Layouts | Model content separated from sheets |
| Block libraries | Blocks | Rebuild frequently used blocks early |
First Session Goals:
- Open CADCraft in the browser and load the workspace
- Complete a simple drawing with Line and Circle
- Practice Trim, Extend, Move, and Copy
- Organize geometry into layers
- Save or export the drawing as a DWG, DXF, PDF, or SVG copy
Familiarity helps you start faster, but CADCraft is an independent application. Evaluate features against your own workflow rather than assuming one-to-one parity with any other CAD package.
For ongoing development, the project maintains a public GitHub repository, and the support page is the entry point for troubleshooting and feature requests. Desktop editions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are planned as the application family develops.
CADCraft Tutorial FAQ
Q: Do I need to install anything to follow this CADCraft tutorial?
No. The current CADCraft experience runs in the browser — open the app from the official website and start drawing. Desktop versions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are in development and not yet the primary way to use the tool.
Q: Can CADCraft open my existing DWG or DXF drawings?
Yes. CADCraft supports a file-oriented workflow for opening, editing, and saving DWG and DXF drawings. After opening an existing file, check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, and layouts before making edits.
Q: Is CADCraft the same as AutoCAD?
No. CADCraft is an independent open-source application. Its command line, aliases, layers, and layouts feel familiar to AutoCAD users, which shortens the learning curve, but it is a separate product with its own feature set.
Q: How do I save my work in the browser version?
Use the available save or export controls before closing the session. Export a separate copy in the format you need — DWG, DXF, PDF, or SVG — rather than treating the original uploaded file as your deliverable.