Charli Winston

Creating a 3-D Interior Space using AutoCAD 2018

Overview of software:
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) program used for 2-D and 3-D design and drafting.
AutoCAD, created by Autodesk, is one of the first CAD programs that could be accessed and
used on desktops, web browsers, and smartphones.

Setting up document for drawing:

Step 1.

Open the AutoCAD application.

Select AutoCAD 2018

Step 2.

Open a new document/drawing. Click “New” then select “acad.dwt”.

“acad.dwt” template
Charli Winston

Step 3.

Once your document is open click “Format” in the toolbar then select “Units”. Now you should
be in “Drawing Units” options. This will allow you to adjust how your drawing will be measured
while creating your design layout. In the “Length” section change the “Type” from “Decimal” to
“Architectural”. In the “Lighting” section change the “Light intensity units” to “American”. “In
the “Insertion” section make sure “Inches” is selected. Then click “OK”.

Step 4.

Once you have adjusted the desired settings above you should now be on the “Model” screen.
You can tell by looking at the bottom left corner of your screen. Your drawing should be in the
“2D Wireframe” view. Click “View” in the toolbar, “Visual Style”, then click “2D Wireframe”.
Charli Winston

2D Layout- creating walls for 2D Plan

In the top right-hand corner, you will notice a square with a compass. This is how you change
the perspective/view of your workspace. When you begin your drawing, be sure to be in “Top”
view. This will help you create a 2D design layout.

This box can be

rotated by clicking
and holding while
moving the mouse.

Step 1.

To begin drawing your design click the “line” tool. This tool is located in the “Drafting” tool bar
under “Draw”.

“Line”

Step 2.

Begin drawing your line by clicking anywhere on the plane.

You may start

your line on the
“Y” or “X” axis to
begin creating
your layout.
The “Z” axis is to
create a vertical
line.
Charli Winston

Once you have selected a point, click & drag to create your first line.

As you are dragging your line you may

type how long the line should be in
the dimension box. Ex: a 10-foot wall
would be entered as 10’ and a 9’-1/2
ft. wall would be entered as 9’-6”.

You can make a full rectangular shape once your first line is drawn by clicking enter at the
endpoint and continuing to use the line tool to create a new line, repetitively.

Exterior Walls- 6” (Outer shell of

layout)

When you have completed the rectangular wall, it should look like this:

Interior Design and Architecture Information

https://www.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/Arquitetural/livros/interior%20design%20student%20h
andbook.pdf
Charli Winston

Adding doors and windows to wall:

Step 1:

Now that we have completed a wall we will now add a door. Select the “Line” tool and click a
point on your rectangle and begin dragging and create a rectangle that is 3’ X 6” feet within
your rectangle wall. Single entry doors are typically 3’ feet wide.

3’
6”

Step 2:

Now that we have created a wall with a door, we will create another wall with a window.
Create a second wall at a corner of your rectangle of your first rectangle.
Charli Winston

The window is created the same way the door was. Refer back to Step 1. Your window may be
from 3’- to length of your wall.

Adding an interior wall:

Step 1:

Create your third wall. This wall can be without a door and or window using the previous steps.

After your 3 walls

are completed, use
the “line” tool to
create a square
within the walls.
This will be the
floor.

Third wall
Charli Winston

Step 2:

Use the “line” tool to create a rectangle within the 3 walls. This will create a closet like
structure within your layout. Once the wall is completed, create a door within this rectangle. 3’
X 4”

Typically, interior
walls are 4” inches.

Now you have created a basic 2D layout also known as a Floorplan.

Extruding Walls

Now that you have created your layout you can begin to “Extrude” your walls to transform this
into a 3-D structure.

Step 1:

Click on the “Modeling” tab. Turn your navigation toggle to change perspective This will help
you see your walls from a 3D viewpoint.

Move the navigation

toggle to change the
view.
Charli Winston

TIP: Before you start extruding, roll mouse over each line to make sure they light up in the small
rectangular shape. The smaller rectangles within your wall (larger rectangle) needs to be a
separate line. If you notice it isn’t, just go back to the “Drafting” workspace and use the “Line”
tool to recreate the line for your doors and windows.

Step 2:

Now that are you are in the “Modeling” workspace you can begin to “Extrude” your doors,
windows, and walls. First you are going to “Extrude” the doors to about 8’ feet.

“Extrude” command.

Step 3:

Now “Extrude” your window to at least 3’ feet. Can be higher if you would like floor to ceiling
windows.
Charli Winston

Step 4:

Now we are going to move our window around, if necessary. Select the “Move” tool and select
the four walls that make your window.

Select the 4 walls that

make your window
“Move” tool and move.

Step 5:

Last, you will “Extrude” the outer walls. Select the outer walls, press enter, and “Extrude” the
walls to at least 9’ feet.
Charli Winston

Subtracting doors and windows:

Step 1:

Click the “Subtraction” tool then click the wall that are holding your door/ window. Press enter
and then select the exterior walls. The “Surface Modeling” prompt will come up and click
“Continue subtracting…”. Next select the window walls you would like to subtract and press
enter. The same prompt will come up again and you click “Continue subtracting…”.

“Subtraction” tool
“Surface Modeling”
prompt
Select the exterior
walls

Select the window

walls.
Charli Winston

Adding the floor:

Turn view from “2D Wireframe” to “Realistic”. This will help you see the floor you add.

Step 1:

Click the “Box” tool, then click a corner in your space and drag across the area you would like to
cover, and then press enter. Pull the cursor up and type in 2” inches for the floor height.

Select the area you

would to cover.
“Box” tool

Set floor height to 2”

inches in the dimension
box. End Result! Great Job!

Check out my screencast video

for adding wall coverings and
flooring to your 3D model design.
Charli Winston

https://www.core77.com/posts/43422/Reference-Common-Dimensions-Angles-and-Heights-
for-Seating-Designers
Charli Winston

https://smithsystem.com/resource-library/heightguide/#

https://www.paragoninc.com/product/ad-ready-chair-stool/
(site that offers classroom furniture)