AutoCAD Do's and Dont's

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AutoCAD Don’t

• Never explode a dimension. When you think it’s necessary to explode one, don’t.
• Never explode a hatch.
• Do not place the Titleblock or border in Model Space.
• Do not scale the Titleblock or border, larger or smaller, than 1:1
• Do not scale or rotate reference files. The only exception to this is when you are dealing with a consultant who uses a different scale of units or a different origin. For example, Architectural units and Civil units are different by a factor of 12.
• Do not “plot to fit” when plotting a drawing. Force the drawing to an accurate scale. Plot 1:1 or 2:1. Contractors and clients will most likely take scale measurements off your drawing. If the scale is off even a small amount it could be very costly, or dangerous.
• Do not draw on layer “0”. (LAYER 0 is default layer when you open a blank drawing)
• If you do, move it to the appropriate layer after it’s complete.
• Do not draw on the “defpoints” layer. This layer is for AutoCAD to use for dimension information.(as for indicative purposes only)
• Do not use cracked copies of AutoCAD Products. More info about cracked copies software products

AutoCAD Do’s

• Always check over a drawing before you plot it. And assign it to proper plotystyles.
• Always save a drawing before you print. Most often a drawing crashes right around the time you finish it and go to plot it out.
• Whenever possible, use a reference when you have the same information that is shown in more than one drawing.
• Limit the number of reference files you create. Don't use a reference file when a layer will do!
• Zoom Extents before closing a drawing.
• Set "SAVETIME" to 10 minutes, 15 minutes max.
• Change the default temporary save location to something like C:\TEMP or you could even
  create a C:\AutoSave folder so you can find the files easier. The default location is buried in your windows user configuration folders.
• When drawing dimensions, avoid dog legs (more than three lines in a leader), crossovers, and draw the leaders at a consistent angle whenever possible.
• Make sure the leader actually touches the object it is calling out. Use your object snaps.
• Lock your Model space viewports and assign to appropriate layer.
• Practice purging the drawing whenever possible (especially bloated file). 
• Populated with .bak files, Create a folder in your local C-drive, then in command "movebak" and copy your local folder to the command prompt and press enter. 
• Practice using CAD standard in your drawings to enforce consistency and particularly useful in collaborative environments

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