Free course · Architecture & Engineering
Free Engineering Drafting Course
Learn the language of engineering drawings: standards, orthographic projection, line types, dimensioning, tolerances and fits, sections, assemblies and GD&T.
8 lessons · 1 practical project · about 7 hours · free, no sign-up
Your progress
0 of 9 lessons and projects complete · saved on this device
About this course
Engineering drawings are the contract between designer and manufacturer. This free, software-neutral course teaches the conventions that make them unambiguous: standards, projection systems, line types, dimensioning from datums, tolerances and fits, section and auxiliary views, assembly drawings with bills of materials, and the basics of GD&T.
The skills apply whether you draw by hand, in AutoCAD, or in 3D CAD packages that generate drawings. The final project produces a complete part and assembly drawing.
By the end you will be able to
- Work to ISO or ASME drawing standards
- Draw correct orthographic views in either projection system
- Use line types and lettering correctly
- Dimension and tolerance parts functionally
- Draw sections, auxiliary views and assemblies
- Read basic GD&T callouts
Who it’s for
- • Mechanical, manufacturing and civil engineering students
- • Drafters and CAD technicians
- • Makers and fabricators who read drawings
- • Architectural drafters moving into engineering
Course outline
Follow the order, or jump to what you need — nothing is locked. Each lesson has steps, an exercise, a checklist and a quiz.
Beginner Drawing fundamentals
Beginner overviewStandards, orthographic projection, line types, weights and lettering.
- 1. Engineering drawings and standardsEngineering drawings are a precise language for describing parts and assemblies. Learn why standards exist, which ones you’ll meet and what a complete drawing contains.14 min
- 2. Orthographic projectionOrthographic projection shows a 3D object as a set of flat views. Learn the principal views, the two projection systems used worldwide, and how to choose and align views.18 min
- 3. Line types, weights and letteringEvery line on an engineering drawing means something specific. Learn the standard line types, their weights, and lettering rules that keep drawings unambiguous.14 min
Intermediate Defining parts
Intermediate overviewDimensioning, tolerances and fits, and section and auxiliary views.
- 1. Dimensioning principlesDimensions define size and location. Good dimensioning is complete, not duplicated, based on function, and arranged so tolerances don’t accumulate unexpectedly.20 min
- 2. Tolerances and fitsNo part is made exactly to size. Tolerances state how much variation is acceptable — and fits define how mating parts go together. Learn to read and specify them sensibly.20 min
- 3. Sections and auxiliary viewsHidden lines get confusing fast. Section views cut parts open to show internal features, and auxiliary views show inclined faces in true shape.18 min
Advanced Assemblies and GD&T
Advanced overviewAssembly drawings with bills of materials, and an introduction to geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
- 1. Assembly drawings and bills of materialsAssembly drawings show how parts go together; the bill of materials lists what’s needed. Learn how they’re laid out and how they link to detail drawings.18 min
- 2. Introduction to GD&TGeometric dimensioning and tolerancing controls form, orientation and position more precisely than ± tolerances alone. Learn to read the basics confidently.22 min
Practical projects Practical project
Practical projects overviewA complete part drawing and assembly drawing with BOM.
Free KitWren tools for this course
- Length ConverterConvert between metres, centimetres, millimetres, kilometres, inches, feet, yards and miles.
- Angle ConverterConvert degrees, radians, gradians, arcminutes and turns.
- Centimetres to InchesConvert cm to inches instantly, with a conversion table of common values.
- Inches to CentimetresConvert inches to cm with a table of common measurements.
- Merge PDFCombine multiple PDFs into one file, in any order, choosing which pages to include from each.
- Fraction CalculatorAdd, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, with the answer simplified and shown as a mixed number and decimal.
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Engineering drafting course: questions
Which standard does this course follow?
It explains ISO principles and notes where ASME differs. Your employer or client decides which standard applies — always state it on the drawing.
Do I need CAD software?
No. The conventions are the same by hand or in CAD. The AutoCAD course teaches the software side.
Will this make me a GD&T expert?
No — the GD&T lesson teaches you to read common callouts. Specifying GD&T for production needs formal training and the standard itself.
Free, independent learning material written for KitWren. We never provide software downloads, licence keys or cracks — use the official sources.