10 AutoCAD commands every civil engineer and CAD user should really know

If you’ve been using AutoCAD for a while, you probably know it’s a beast of a program. It’s everywhere in civil engineering and architecture. But here’s the thing: I’ve seen so many people struggle because they don’t really master the basics. Instead, they spend way too long clicking around or doing repetitive work that could be done in seconds.

I want to share with you the 10 AutoCAD commands I think every civil engineer, architecture student, or CAD tech should know by heart. These commands have saved me countless hours and headaches on projects—from site plans to structural details.

1. LINE (Shortcut: L)

This one’s obvious but super important. Line is the starting point for just about everything you draw. Walls, grids, columns—you name it.

Pro tip: Always use object snaps while drawing lines so your endpoints connect perfectly. Nothing worse than tiny gaps messing up your drawings later.

2. OFFSET (Shortcut: O)

If you’re not using OFFSET, you’re missing out. It lets you create parallel lines quickly. For example, if you need to draw a wall thickness or a road lane, just offset the original line by the distance you want.

I use this all the time. It beats redrawing everything by hand.

3. TRIM (Shortcut: TR)

TRIM cleans up your drawing by cutting off parts of lines or objects that extend too far. When you’re working on intersections or overlaps, it’s a lifesaver.

If you double tap TR, you go into quick trim mode, which speeds things up even more.

4. EXTEND (Shortcut: EX)

Kind of the opposite of TRIM—EXTEND stretches a line to meet another boundary. Really handy for fixing drawings without redrawing anything.

5. FILLET (Shortcut: F)

FILLET lets you round corners between two lines. It’s great when you want to show pipe bends or smooth corners on a site plan.

You can also set the radius for the curve. Small details like this make your drawing look way more professional.

6. MIRROR (Shortcut: MI)

If your design has any symmetry, MIRROR is your friend. Instead of drawing the same thing twice, just draw one side and mirror it.

7. MOVE (Shortcut: M) and COPY (Shortcut: CO)

These are essential. MOVE shifts objects to new positions, COPY duplicates them.

You’d be surprised how often people redraw instead of just copying. Don’t be that person!

8. BLOCK (Shortcut: B)

BLOCK is a huge time saver. Combine multiple objects into one reusable unit, like a manhole symbol or a standard door.

Once you make a block, you can insert it anywhere and save a ton of drawing time.

9. DIMLINEAR (Shortcut: D)

Dimensions are what make your drawings usable. DIMLINEAR adds linear measurements—lengths, widths, heights.

Try to set up dimension styles so everything looks consistent and neat. Messy dimensions confuse everyone on site.

10. HATCH (Shortcut: H)

HATCH fills areas with patterns or solid fills, like concrete or soil. It helps differentiate materials visually and makes drawings easier to read.

Why These Commands Matter

If you only learn these ten commands, you’ll already be miles ahead. They help you work faster, reduce errors, and keep your drawings neat and professional.

Civil engineering drawings can get complicated quickly—site layouts, roads, beams, columns—you want your software working for you, not the other way around.

A Few Bonus Commands

• LAYER: Keep your drawing organized. Different elements on different layers make editing and printing so much easier.

• POLYLINE (PL): Draw connected lines as a single object, easier to manage.

• ARRAY: Copy objects in patterns—perfect for grids of columns or repetitive features.

Final Thoughts

Even after years of working with AutoCAD, I still discover little tricks that save time. The key is to practice these commands until they’re second nature.

Try to challenge yourself: learn two or three new commands or shortcuts each week, and you’ll be amazed at how much faster your workflow gets.

If you want more practical tips or downloadable files to practice with, keep an eye on this blog or drop a comment below with what you want to learn next.

What about you? Any favorite commands or tricks that save your neck on tight deadlines? Share your thoughts—I’m always keen to learn from other pros!