The ABC’s of AutoCAD Mechanical - Code MA2870 - Learning Objectives

Oct 25, 2026

Uploaded by Franzy

The ABC’s of AutoCAD Mechanical handout outlines the learning objectives and core capabilities of AutoCAD Mechanical (ACM). It explains how ACM builds on standard AutoCAD while adding mechanical-specific dimensioning, symbols, and parts list and balloon workflows. The material covers help and training tips, introduces the speaker background, and details practical topics A-E including BOM/ballooning, centerline creation, power dimensioning, and mechanical symbology for manufacturing drawings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Learning Objectives

About the Speaker

What is AutoCAD Mechanical?

Getting Help

A - Is for AutoCAD

B - Is for Bill of Materials & Ballooning

C - Is for Centerline

D - Is for Power Dimensioning

E - Is for Edge Symbols & other Mechanical Symbology

The ABC’s of AutoCAD Mechanical Mike Thomas – Prairie Machine & Parts Mfg. Code MA2870 Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to: 􀁸 Effectively use the AutoCAD Mechanical interface 􀁸 Create BOM, use balloons, perform dimensioning, and use other mechanical detailing tools 􀁸 Use Structure to define "smart" components within your 2D geometry 􀁸 Use the Mechanical geometry creation tools and advanced layer management to more quickly and efficiently create your manufacturing drawings About the Speaker Mike graduated as the Most Distinguished Graduate from CAD/CAM Engineering Technology at SIAST, Kelsey Campus. For over 12-years he worked as an Application Specialist for an Autodesk reseller where he delivered demos, trainings, and implementations. He is specialist in the manufacturing industry with strong knowledge on the Autodesk mechanical products supplemented with a solid understanding of document management, hardware, networking, and other Autodesk technologies. He is now the Technical Services Manager for Prairie Machine & Parts and is responsible for overseeing the engineering department’s technical operations and the department’s strategic technical growth. Primary duties include the ongoing support of critical computer systems and programs, the interactions between the department and between other departments, providing the engineering department with effective systems and technology, and working with the VP and Engineering Managers on the development and implementation of a cohesive strategic plan for the technical growth of the department What is AutoCAD Mechanical? AutoCAD Mechanical (ACM) was initially released as an addition to Mechanical Desktop 2.0 (AutoCAD 2014) with a toolbar of extra “mechanical” specific functionality. With the release of AutoCAD Mechanical 14.5 Autodesk expanded the feature set to include mechanical specific dimensioning tools , Mechanical Symbols (Welding, Surface Texture, etc) , and Parts Lists and Balloon functionality Autodesk then acquired German based Genius (one of their biggest acquisitions at the time) and the fun began. A snippet of the press release: “Genius is a technology leader in mechanical applications for AutoCAD and Mechanical Desktop. For over 10 years, Genius has been developing software for Autodesk products, and since 1995 the company has been a vital member of Autodesk's Mechanical Applications Initiative” Initially AutoCAD Mechanical was available on its own and with Mechanical Desktop. It is now available on its own and as part of the various manufacturing specific suites. Getting Help This document is intended to provide a synapsis of what features and functionality AutoCAD Mechanical provides. It is by no means a user guide providing step-by-step procedures for using each feature. However the Help system within AutoCAD Mechanical is very extensive, describing each and every feature and providing examples in many cases. The quickest way to narrow the help to the command you want to learn about is hover over the icon and hit F1 which will start the help but take you directly to the command you were hovering over. | A
Is for AutoCAD | | --- | | Category: General | | AutoCAD Mechanical (ACM) is based on AutoCAD meaning that everything you can do in vanilla AutoCAD you can do in AutoCAD Mechanical
􀁸 You might have to look for it or it may not be in the same location but it’s in there, somewhere!
􀁸 ACM provides enhanced versions of standard AutoCAD commands and uses these asthe defaults. Don’t be scared, try them, you’ll grow to love them
􀁸 You can also continue to use any custom LISP, VBA, or addins as you did with your vanilla AutoCAD | | | | | | B
Is for Bill of Materials & Ballooning | | --- | | Category: Mechanical Engineering Documentation | | The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a collection of Part References or
Components and their meta data. The BOM is “live” in that as the drawing ch

FAQs

What should learners be able to do after the class?

Learners should be able to use the AutoCAD Mechanical interface, create BOM and balloons, perform dimensioning, define “smart” components with Structure, and generate manufacturing drawings more efficiently using mechanical geometry tools and layer management.

How does AutoCAD Mechanical relate to standard AutoCAD?

ACM is based on AutoCAD, so tasks available in “vanilla” AutoCAD are also available in AutoCAD Mechanical, though some items may be located differently. ACM provides enhanced versions of standard commands as the defaults.

How does the help system help learners find the right command?

Hover over the icon for the command you want to learn, then press F1 to start help and jump directly to the relevant command.

Oct 25, 2026

Uploaded by Franzy