ICDL Professional
2D DESIGN
Syllabus 1.5
Syllabus Document
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for ICDL 2D Design. The syllabus describes,
through learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for ICDL 2D
Design should possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for the theory and
practice-based test in this module.
Copyright © 2008 – 2023 ICDL Foundation
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as permitted by ICDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce material
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Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ICDL Foundation in the preparation of this
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© ICDL Foundation 2008-2023 Ref: SWGCAD1.5 Page 2 of 6
ICDL 2D Design
This module is aimed at second- and third-level students commencing study in fields related
to the architectural, engineering, and construction sectors, who wish to certify their 2D
Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills to an independent international standard. It is also
suited to those who may work in these sectors already in a non-technical capacity and who
wish to acquire or certify 2D Design skills.
Module Goals
Successful candidates will be able to:
• Use a two-dimensional design application to create and save new drawings, import
and export drawings.
• Use layers and levels.
• Create objects and elements, use selection tools, and manipulate objects and
elements.
• Use inquiry commands, e.g. to measure distances, angles, areas.
• Set and modify properties; create and modify text and dimensions.
• Use blocks and cells; create, edit, and use objects from a cell library; embed or link to
objects using OLE.
• Prepare outputs for printing or plotting.
CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM
1 Getting Started 1.1 First Steps 1.1.1 Open (and close) a CAD
application.
1.1.2 Open one, several drawings.
1.1.3 Create a new drawing.
1.1.4 Set drawing units/working units;
metric, imperial.
1.1.5 Set drawing limits.
1.1.6 Set, display grid and snap/grid
lock.
1.1.7 Create a drawing using an
existing specified template/seed
file.
1.1.8 Save a drawing as a
template/seed file.
1.1.9 Save a drawing to a location on a
drive.
1.1.10 Save a drawing under another
name.
1.1.11 Switch between open drawings.
1.1.12 Display, hide built in toolbars.
© ICDL Foundation 2008-2023 Ref: SWGCAD1.5 Page 3 of 6
CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM
1.1.13 Close a drawing.
1.1.14 Use available Help functions.
1.2 Navigating 1.2.1 Use zoom/magnification tools.
1.2.2 Create named/saved views,
set/recall named/saved views.
1.2.3 Use pan tool.
1.2.4 Use redraw, regen/update tools.
1.3 Using Layers/Levels 1.3.1 Create layers/levels and assign
properties.
1.3.2 Modify the properties/attributes of
a layer/level.
1.3.3 Make a layer/level current or
active.
1.3.4 Modify levels/layers status: on,
off, freeze, thaw, lock, unlock.
1.4 Drawing Exchange 1.4.1 Export a drawing in another file
type: .dxf, .dwg, .wmf, .dwf/.pdf.
1.4.2 Import a dxf, dwg file into a
drawing.
2 Main Operations 2.1 Create Objects/Elements 2.1.1 Apply co-ordinate systems:
absolute, relative/rectangular,
polar.
2.1.2 Draw a line, rectangle/block,
polyline/smartline.
2.1.3 Draw an arc, polygon, circle,
ellipse, donut.
2.1.4 Draw a spline/point curve.
2.1.5 Create a hatch.
2.1.6 Divide objects/points along an
element.
2.1.7 Use snapping tools.
2.2 Selection Tools 2.2.1 Select single, multiple objects.
2.2.2 Use window/fence selection
tools.
2.2.3 Use grips/handles.
2.2.4 Select by property/attribute,
layer/level.
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CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM
2.3 Manipulate 2.3.1 Copy objects/elements within,
Objects/Elements between drawings as
objects/elements, as a block.
2.3.2 Move objects/elements within a
drawing, between drawings.
2.3.3 Delete objects/elements.
2.3.4 Rotate objects/elements.
2.3.5 Scale objects/elements.
2.3.6 Mirror objects/elements.
2.3.7 Stretch objects/elements.
2.3.8 Offset/copy parallel
objects/elements.
2.3.9 Create arrays/patterns of
objects/elements.
2.3.10 Trim objects using other
objects/elements.
2.3.11 Break/partially delete objects.
2.3.12 Explode/drop objects/elements.
2.3.13 Extend, lengthen
objects/elements.
2.3.14 Apply chamfers.
2.3.15 Apply fillets.
2.3.16 Edit polylines/complex elements.
2.3.17 Convert objects/elements to
polylines/complex elements.
2.4 Using Inquiry Commands 2.4.1 Measure distances, angles.
2.4.2 Measure areas.
2.5 Properties 2.5.1 Change layer/level
properties/attributes of
objects/elements.
2.5.2 Match properties/attributes
between objects/elements.
2.5.3 Set, change linetype/linestyle,
line weight, colour of
objects/elements.
2.6 Annotation (text and 2.6.1 Insert, edit text.
dimensions)
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CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM
2.6.2 Create, set, edit text styles.
2.6.3 Change style, font for text
objects.
2.6.4 Add dimensions.
2.6.5 Create, set, edit dimension
styles.
2.6.6 Change style, font for dimension
objects.
2.6.7 Insert geometric tolerance.
3 Advanced 3.1 Using Blocks/Cells 3.1.1 Create blocks/cells.
Features
3.1.2 Insert blocks/cells in a drawing.
3.1.3 Create a wblock.
3.1.4 Create a cell library.
3.1.5 Create, edit attributes/tags.
3.1.6 Insert objects/elements, files
from a library.
3.1.7 Extract/report, attributes/tags
from a block/cell e.g. to create a
parts list.
3.2 Using OLE 3.2.1 Embed/link a file and display as
an object.
3.2.2 Add a hyperlink to an object.
4 Outputs 4.1 Plot/Print Options 4.1.1 Use model space, paper
space/design model, sheet
model.
4.1.2 Create, use, modify layouts/sheet
models.
4.1.3 Create, use, scale different
viewports/views.
4.1.4 Add a titleblock.
4.1.5 Select a printer/plotter.
4.1.6 Add and use a plot style/pen
table.
4.1.7 Plot/print all, part of a drawing to
scale, fit to page.
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