CAD crash course?

[Twoply 0]

I'm still using pencil and paper to draw up my architectural design ideas for clients. I'm really good, but CAD is so much more professional looking.

Can you take a course to learn CAD? Or is it something you can pick up on your own?

[SarahC07 0]

Find your local community college - they will offer beginning and advanced CAD classes.

I personally do not find it that hard, but I use it for basic stuff.

Good luck to you.

[BillyVance 35]

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I'm still using pencil and paper to draw up my architectural design ideas for clients. I'm really good, but CAD is so much more professional looking.

Can you take a course to learn CAD? Or is it something you can pick up on your own?

Are you kidding me???? Still drawing by hand??? Shit, the last time I drew by hand was back in 1990! Where the hell have you been???

CAD programs can be pretty simple or very complicated. The most popular one is AutoCAD, if you can afford it. Most colleges and community colleges offer courses for it. I have about 15 years of experience on it (not counting 5 years on a different system) and even have it on my home computer.

There are other CAD programs that are pretty affordable but may not have all the bells, whistles and tricks like AutoCAD does. Even with all my experience drawing structures, including self teaching myself to extrapolate a structure in 3D, I've only used about 10% of AutoCAD's features.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[quade 4]

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... I've only used about 10% of AutoCAD's features.

No individual does. AutoCAD is bloatware, so overloaded with crap it, so tied to arcane legacy conventions, no person can ever even hope to use all of it's features. Nor would they want to.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[thedude325 0]

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I'm still using pencil and paper to draw up my architectural design ideas for clients. I'm really good, but CAD is so much more professional looking.

Can you take a course to learn CAD? Or is it something you can pick up on your own?

I'm a junior ME student, and our university doesn't even teach drafting anymore...

[Jeffwxyz 0]

I learned AutoCad on my own. That was in 1996 with AutoCad LT. I progressed easily to the full version. It did not take long before I could make fully rendered 3D models.

Even if I have a small job at work that requires a dwg, I tend to still use CAD over paper and pencil. You can't copy and paste, move something, or erase things as easily on paper.

The hardest part about AutoCad is what is involved with things other than the drawing, like setting up to plot a drawing.

Also, you really should take the time to learn some of the CAD techniques like working in model space and picking views and putting dimensions and text while in paper space. You don't have to do this, but in the end, on a large job, you will save time.

Things like this, I think are the biggest difference when transitioning from paper and pencil. They can be easily overlooked by the casual user, but most needed by somebody that uses AutoCad all the time.

[skymama 37]

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Are you kidding me???? Still drawing by hand???

My Dad still does all of our plans by hand and we build large, custom homes and additions. He has the CAD program, but can't find the time to sit down and learn it. Such is life when you own the company and wear so many hats.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[futuredivot 0]

But it's a safe bet that your dad is smarter than Billy.





A really, really, really, really, really safe bet.



Don't worry, Billy-I'll bet you still look better in a ballroom gown.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[Niki1 2]

Like SarahCO7 said, a local CC will probably have a course. I took one but the instructor wasn't very good. A few years later I obtained a copy of AutoCAD 2002 and bought a textbook for it. The one I got was "AutoCAD and its applications, Comprehensive" It includes 2D in the first half and 3D in the second. I just read the whole thing and did all the exercises and question at the end of each chapter. I've seen other textbooks but this is the best one in my opinion. It worked for me. I got a side job doing drawings for a machine shop when I lived in Fla. and later in NC doing shop drawing for fabrication.

Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossilbe before they were done.
Louis D Brandeis

Where are we going and why are we in this basket?

[JackC 0]

I learned AutoCAD LT in a couple of afternoons from the tutorial that came with the software. It's easy.

You could try A9Cad which is free and does the same job in much the same way but it does have more bugs than your average anthill.

[freefal 0]

I'm not sure what your situation is, but if you're starting from scratch and want to learn a computer aided drafting program I would recommend some type of BIM (Building Information Modeling) software such as Revit. In Autocad you construct 2D (and sometime 3D) views of different part of the building, machine, etc.
In a BIM program like Revit you create a 3D virtual model of the building, machine, etc... and you can coordinate all the pieces (ductwork, lights, panels, etc) much easier and multiple people can work on the same "model" so coordination is a required part of the design... not something to deal with during construction. And since it's 3D you can make renderings and "virtual tours" much easier.
Although it is still a new software program in some industries, I see Revit as the next step in the evolution of drafting. From hand drawn, to AutoCAD to Revit. So if you're going to learn something, why not learn the most current technology.

"Ignorance is bliss" and "Patience is a virtue"... So if you're stupid and don't mind waiting around for a while, I guess you can have a pretty good life!

[TheCaptain 2]

Drawing in CAD can differ alot between CAD systems. AutoCAD draws completely different from Keycreator or Solidworks. While the ideas of wire frame and 3D modeling are more universal, each system has a very different approach to composing a part. I would suggest finding CAD systems that has the features you will need and the price you can afford. Three years ago I was researching CAD packages for my company AutoCAD light was $899 is only 2D, AutoCAD 2006 was $3250. I found Keycreator (use to be CADKEY) for $950 full 3d with solid modeling.

Kirk
He's dead Jim

[quade 4]

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Three years ago I was researching CAD packages for my company AutoCAD light was $899 is only 2D, AutoCAD 2006 was $3250. I found Keycreator (use to be CADKEY) for $950 full 3d with solid modeling.

Another thing to consider is if his drawings need to have interoperability with other people's. Unfortunately, this is where AutoCAD is, kind of, a standard.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Channman 2]

I must agree, been a user of Autocad since Version 10. Been 3D modelling in Autocad I can't remember when, never have used more than 25% off its capability to model complex designs and complete fabrication drawings for Aero Space projects.

However we have been using Pro E Wildfire now for more than 9 years.

But to the posters question. I learned Autocad on my own at work. Took about 2 years to become proficient, and another 2 years to be proficient using 3D modelling.

[nigel99 616]

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Three years ago I was researching CAD packages for my company AutoCAD light was $899 is only 2D, AutoCAD 2006 was $3250. I found Keycreator (use to be CADKEY) for $950 full 3d with solid modeling.

Another thing to consider is if his drawings need to have interoperability with other people's. Unfortunately, this is where AutoCAD is, kind of, a standard.

We use Solidworks for mechanical design and as dxf/dwg (Autocad format) are pretty much the standard for 2D drawings and you can easily import/export files. I am not sure about architectural drawings, but mechanical design is pretty much all done in 3D now and dxf is obsolete with 3D formats (either brand formats like Solidworks/Pro-E or STEP/IGES formats) being the norm.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.