On creating a new AutoCAD document a small amount of setting up is required before you can get on with the task of drawing.
1. Open Architectural Desktop 2006 from the desktop.
The default size of the Architectural Desktop drawing window is very small because it is for some unknown reason based on a 12 inch by 9 inch modelling space! When large shapes are created (like we are about to do) you cannot zoom out far enough to see it all. (Note: you can set up your default to be some other value, but the basic standard common denominator setup we use is this.)
To correct this select from the menu:
->Format ->Drawing Limits
Specify lower left corner or [on/off] <0.0000,0.0000>:
Type: off (Press Enter)
This allows the drawing window to be zoomed out to any size.
Save your drawing (with a logical filename) onto your I drive. From the menu select:
->File ->Save
2. Now create some layers.
Press the layers button at the top of the screen. 
Select "New" in the dialogue box and name the layer "construction". Choose a colour by selecting the white box on the same line.
Repeat this process until you have layers called "walls", "foundation", "construction", "glazing" and "mainwinframe".
Press OK.
TIP: In the naming of your layers do not use spaces, capitals or very long descriptive names. This is to ensure your file remains compatible with Lightscape or 3DS Viz Render and Radiance when it comes time to render (or other 3d drawing programmes if it is exported).
To make a layer current, click on the left downward pointing arrow. Then select the layer you want to draw on. This makes the layer you select "current".
To turn a layer on click on the downward pointing arrow and click on any of the light bulbs. A lit bulb means the layer is visible and vice versa.
Press F8 on the keyboard. This turns on "Ortho" at the bottom of the screen, which allows you to only draw in the x and y directions on the UCS. The UCS (user coordinate system) controls the orientation of your x and y plane. You can only draw in the x and y plane.