How to Create Submission Drawings in AutoCAD – Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

How to Create Submission Drawings in AutoCAD – A Complete Guide

Introduction

Submission drawings constitute an essential part of the building plan approval process. Before commencing construction, architects and engineers are required to submit a set of drawings to the local municipal authority for approval. These drawings include the building plan, elevations, sections, site plan, and other necessary details.

In this guide, we will provide a step-by-step explanation of how to create submission drawings in AutoCAD; this covers the necessary drawings, layer setup, dimensioning, and plotting for submission.

What Are Submission Drawings?

Submission drawings are technical drawings prepared to obtain approval from local authorities before commencing construction work. These drawings depict the building's design, layout, dimensions, setbacks, and structural details.

They assist municipal authorities in verifying the following:

• Compliance with building bylaws
• Plot area and setbacks
• Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
• Building height
• Parking arrangements
• Structural safety

The authorities responsible for granting such approvals typically include municipal corporations, development authorities, and town planning departments.

Essential Software for Submission Drawings

The most widely used software for preparing submission drawings includes:

• AutoCAD
• Revit (for BIM projects)
• SketchUp (for conceptual support)

However, AutoCAD remains the most frequently used tool for 2D submission drawings, as it is user-friendly, precise, and accepted by most authorities.

Types of Submission Drawings Required for Building Approval

A complete set of submission drawings typically includes the following items:

1. Site Plan

The site plan illustrates the location of the building within the plot.

• Key elements include:
• Plot boundaries
• Access to the road
• North direction
• Setbacks
• Building footprint
• Parking area
• Landscaped area

2. Floor Plan

This floor plan illustrates the layout of every floor of the building.
Included details:

• Room layout
• Wall thickness
• Doors and windows
• Staircases
• Dimensions
• Room names
• Area calculations

3. Building Elevation

Elevation drawings depict the exterior appearance of the building.
Key details:

• Building height
• Floor levels
• Window placement
• Exterior design
• Roof details

4. Section Drawing

This section presents a vertical cross-section of the building's interior.
These drawings help officials understand:

• Floor heights
• Foundation levels
• Staircase details
• Structural arrangement

5. Parking Layout

This parking drawing illustrates the arrangement for vehicle parking.
It includes:

• Car parking dimensions
• Access routes
• Circulation space

6. Area Details

This document includes:

• Plot area
• Built-up area
• Ground coverage
• FAR calculation
• Total construction area

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Submission Drawings in AutoCAD

Step 1: Set Drawing Units

First, configure the drawing units.

Steps:

• Type UN in the command line
• Select Decimal units
• Set the Precision
• Set the Insertion scale to meters or millimeters
• This ensures accurate measurements.

Step 2: Create Layers

Layers help organize the drawing properly in AutoCAD. By placing different elements on separate layers, the drawing becomes easier to manage and edit.

Typical Layer Setup:

• Wall Layer – Used for drawing building walls
• Door Layer – Used for door blocks
• Window Layer – Used for window blocks
• Text Layer – Used for annotations and room names
• Dimension Layer – Used for all dimensions
• Furniture Layer – Used for furniture layout blocks
• Plot Boundary Layer – Used for drawing the plot outline

Using different colors and line weights for each layer helps make the drawing clear, organized, and easy to read in submission drawings.

Step 3: Create the Plot Boundary

In this step, we begin by establishing the dimensions of the plot.

Examples:

• 30×40 plot
• 40×60 plot
• 50×80 plot
• Commands used:
• LINE
• OFFSET
• TRIM
• Add setbacks (open spaces) in accordance with local regulations.

Step 4: Create the Building Layout

Now, construct the building's walls.

Steps:

• Create the exterior walls using the LINE command
• Set the wall thickness using the OFFSET command
• Use the TRIM command to clean up the corners
• Add interior partition walls
• Standard wall thickness:
• 230 mm for exterior walls
• 115 mm for interior walls

Step 5: Insert Doors and Windows

Utilize AutoCAD blocks for the doors and windows.

Commands used:

• INSERT
• ROTATE
• MIRROR

Standard dimensions:

Door sizes:

• Main door: 1000–1200 mm
• Bedroom door: 900 mm
• Toilet door: 750 mm

Window sizes:

• 1200 × 1200 mm
• 1500 × 1200 mm

Step 6: Add the Staircase Design

The staircase design must adhere to standard regulations.

General staircase specifications:

• Riser (Height): 150–175 mm
• Tread (Width): 250–300 mm
• Staircase width: 900–1200 mm

Use the ARRAY or COPY command to create the staircase steps.

Step 7: Add Room Names and Text

Add labels to identify the various spaces. Examples:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Kitchen
• Toilet
• Balcony

Command Used:

• TEXT or MTEXT

Step 8: Add Dimensions

Providing dimensions is mandatory for the submission to be approved.

Essential dimensions include:

• Room sizes
• Wall thickness
• Plot dimensions
• Setbacks

Commands Used:

• DIMLINEAR
• DIMALIGNED
• DIMSTYLE

Step 9: Create the Elevation Drawing

Create the front elevation based on the floor plan.

Steps:

• Project the wall lines vertically (upwards)
• Add window locations
• Create the parapet wall
• Add levels

Include:

• Ground Level
• Plinth Level
• Floor Level

Step 10: Create the Building Section

Create a vertical section of the building. Include:

• Foundation
• Plinth Beam
• Floor Slab
• Stairs
• Roof Slab

Step 11: Prepare the Layout Sheet for Printing

Create a layout sheet for submission.

Steps:

• Go to the Layout tab
• Insert a title block
• Create a viewport
• Set the scale (1:100 or 1:50)
• Lock the viewport
• Common Scales:
• Floor Plan – 1:100
• Site Plan – 1:200
• Section – 1:100

Step 12: Plot the Drawing

Finally, print the drawing.

Steps:

• Press Ctrl + P
• Select the plotter
• Select the paper size (A1 / A2)
• Set the scale
• Check line weights
• Plot to PDF

Essential Tips for Submission Drawings

✔ Adhere to local building regulations
✔ Maintain the correct scale for the drawings
✔ Use accurate dimensioning
✔ Indicate the North direction on the site plan
✔ Include a title block and drawing number
✔ Ensure the drawings are clear and legible

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect plot dimensions
❌ Missing setback dimensions
❌ Omission of the North direction
❌ Incorrect scale
❌ Incomplete set of drawings

These errors can lead to the rejection of the building plan.

Benefits of Using AutoCAD for Submission Drawings

These benefits include:

• High accuracy
• Easy editing
• Professional presentation
• Rapid drafting
• Compatibility with municipal submission formats

AutoCAD helps architects and engineers prepare professional approval drawings quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

Creating submission drawings using AutoCAD is an essential skill for architects, civil engineers, and AutoCAD drafters. By adhering to a systematic workflow—spanning from site planning to final plotting—one can produce professional-quality drawings that meet municipal approval standards.

Through the proper use of layers, dimensioning, and layout setups, AutoCAD renders the process of creating submission drawings precise, efficient, and organized.