Rough Sketching workflow process in Autocad like in Fusion or SW?

[Anonymous]

I have a question that i've tried searching the internet for but it's hard to know exactly what to search for and i haven't had any luck finding an answer to my vague question, so here it is:

Can i draw a rough sketch in autocad and then snap it into proper alignment by dimensioning it, the way i do when 2D sketching profiles in Fusion or Solidworks? That style of workflow seems more efficient to me. 

I've spent more time in 3d software like Solidworks and Fusion 360 and i love how easy it is to just draw the basic shape of a design and then allow the dimensions to bring everything into its proper place and size. I also like how i can enter dimensions in any units or even combination of units. 

I've recently begun helping a friend with some projects, drawing elevations of homes for permitting applications and we're using autocad 2014. The workflow process feels so clunky and slow to me and the software feels like it's very unhelpful / unaccommodating compared to Fusion. I know that much of it is a stylistic difference and not necessarily an inferior process. Certainly, i am the weakest link in the chain, being a non-professional and mostly self-taught (i took drafting and cad in high school in the late 90s, Pro/E for a term or 2 in college, and more recently an evenings class in Fusion 360 for fun) user with a low level of proficiency.

Would a newer version of Autocad, or a different software (that can play nicely with Acad2014 files) feel more familiar and comfortable to me?

Thanks for any feedback!

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Can i draw a rough sketch in autocad and then snap it into proper alignment by dimensioning it

Yes, using dimensional constraints (>>>details<<<).

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I had noticed that parametric tab but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll dive in and see if that seems like a better workflow for me.

Are there names for different workflow processes or drawing styles that pros use? I'd like to read more about how to develop my process and how to become more capable and efficient.