How to quickly start a new drawing in AutoCAD

The QNEW command (or CTRL-N) can be the fastest way to start a new drawing. 

When using the following settings, QNEW immediately starts a new drawing without displaying any dialog boxes or prompts:

• Set the FILEDIA system variable to 1.
• Set the STARTUP system variable to 0.
• Set AutoCAD to use your template file.

1. At the command prompt, type "OPTIONS," and hit enter.
2. Select the Files tab in the Options dialog.
3. Scroll down to "Template Settings."
4. Expand the branch by clicking the plus (+) sign.
5. Expand the branch for "Default Template File Name for QNEW."
6. Use the Browse button to select your template drawing.
7. Once selected, select "APPLY" and "Close."

When launching AutoCAD, it will open with the designated template. If using the QNEW command, you will not be prompted for a template as AutoCAD will automatically load the template file designated in the file paths.