Learning Center
Learn all the ins and outs of nanoCAD in our learning center, where you will find online guides, video tutorials, test-drives and articles on product-related topics.
Lesson 10 - Placing Hatch Patterns and Gradient Fills
Hatch patterns are used to show cut sections and to indicate material types. Gradients flood areas with color, and can be used to simulate a 3D look. In this video, you learn how to use the Quick Hatch and Quick Gradient commands to flood areas with hatching and gradients, and then how to use the dialog boxes of the Hatch and Gradient commands to control the look of the patterns. You also learn how easy it is to edit hatch patterns. More..
Lesson 11 - Drawing Splines
Splines were first develop to create smooth curves on ship hulls. nanoCAD also creates splines. In this video, you learn how to draw splines by two different methods -- fit and control points. You see how to edit splines with grips, and adjust their parameters with the Properties panel. More..
Lesson 12 - Moving and Copying Objects
Moving lets you reposition objects in drawings, while Copy lets you make copies effortlessly. In this video, you learn how to use the Move and Copy commands, which are very similar. As well, you learn how to move and copy objects without having to use commands, and how to copy objects between drawings. More..
Lesson 13 - Deleting Entities
Computer-aided design software makes it easier to draw but also easier to erase - as well as to undo mistakes. In this video, you learn how to use the Delete command to erase one or more entities from drawings, and then to undo the action with the Undo command, as well as to redo the undo. You also learn tips on how to select many entities quickly. More..
Lesson 14 - Making Mirrored Copies
Sometimes we make drawings of symmetrical objects, and here the Mirror command makes it faster to create them. It makes mirrored copies. In this video, you learn how to use the Mirror command to make single and doubly symmetrical objects, as well as how to the command's Perpendicular option. More..
Lesson 15 - Trimming and Breaking Objects
Trimming lets us remove portions of objects between other objects, while breaking cuts up objects on their own. In this video, you learn how to use the Trim command to trim and extend objects, and then how to use the Break command to place gaps in objects. You learn the peculiarities of the Break command's selection process and its First point option. More..
Lesson 16 - Filleting and Chamfering Objects
Filleting rounds corners, while chamfering cuts corners at an angle. In this video, you learn how to use the Fillet command to round the intersections of objects, then how to use the Chamfer command to cut intersections at an angle. The two commands have many options in the Properties dialog box, and this video gives you a quick overview of them. Finally, you learn about the special case of filleting polylines. More..
Lesson 17 - Extending, Joining, and Stretching Objects
nanoCAD provides many ways to edit objects after you have drawn them. In this tutorial, you learn about the Extend command and how it extends open objects to boundary lines, and so is the opposite of the Trim command. The Join command combines two or more similar objects into a single one, and turns arcs into circles. The Stretch command has a limitations in initially selecting objects, which you learn about in this video, but its awkwardness is fortunately is superseded by grips. More..
Lesson 18 - Rotating and Scaling Objects
nanoCAD lets you rotate objects in drawings by any angle, without affecting the rest of the drawing - similarly for changing the sizes of objects. This is done with the Rotate and Scale commands, which operate similarly. In this video, you learn how to use the Rotate command to rotate objects by moving the cursor, specifying a precise angle, or relative to another object, as well as how to "rotate" the entire drawing with the UCS (user coordinate system). You learn to change the size of objects larger and smaller with the Scale command. More..