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About Bob
Expertise
I am good at getting Architects and Interior Designers who are intimidated by Autocad, ADT, etc. to feel comfortable, get things done.
PLEASE GIVE ME:
1- some background on you and your skills, and what field you are working in, so I can reply at your level and dont give architecture answers to an engineer
2- the reason you want to do what you are asking, so I will know I am helping you to get to a goal (maybe I have a better way to suggest)
3- the release of AutoCAD you are using
4- how much AutoCAD training you have taken
THAT WAY -- your question will be easy to answer more clearly. Thanks, BOB
Experience
Interior Design and Space Planning. Autodesk U. 2000 and 2001.
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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Computer-Aided Design > AutoCAD > Getting started in AutoCAD
AutoCAD - Getting started in AutoCAD
Expert: Bob - 9/30/2008
Question
Bob-
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
I graduated from Cal Poly, SLO with degrees in Business and MIS. Although I did complete the first couple of years in the architecture program I did not take any computer aided drafting classes.
Since graduating, I have become a general contractor building custom homes and commercial projects. I have always had a passion for design and would like to incorporate it more into our business.
My questions are:
1) Do you recommend AutoCAD as the best program to learn?
I would assume that this would allow the simplest transfer to an engineer.
2) With my computer skills, dedication, and irregular time schedule I believe that I could effectively learn from online education (which I do not believe Cal Poly offers). What existing online programs do you recommend?
3) Any other advice?
My goal in learning this program would be to effectively design projects for my clients in house.
Thanks again,
Thomas Odenwald
Answer
Hi---
Thanks for giving good information -- in this case, your age (reason:computer generation or not) and location (reason:schools)would have helped me considerably, though. So, after writing that sentence, I Googled you. (son of the business, graduated 5 years ago, between Paso and San Luis) Nice business!!
AutoCAD is the standard -- you could leap to Revit or some other advanced 3D software, but if you are mainly looking for plotted drawings to build from, (and to work w Engineers) AutoCAD LT is likely to be fine, and is cheap. Later, you could go for the design software, rather than drafting software.
I am still going to suggest what I would have done anyhow: and in-person intensive put on by an AutoCAD reseller -- 2 or 3 days, with a more advanced follow-up months later. I don't know any online classes for beginners -- although I am sure that they exist. You will want to make sure the class cater to your abilities, in a small group. For someone else, I would suggest a community college class.
Don't mistake that it is easy and quick to learn properly --- but it will be easier for you than others. The way to get good is to re-draw an old project you did by hand, then do a new project (with extra time allowed for software learning).
Of course, this begs this question: why not get an AutoCAD drafter and study Revit or AutoCAD Archtitecture for yourself, if you will mainly be designing? (or really, why not finish Architecture school, if your passion requires it?)
Write back if you like. You could even import me from LA periodically, for advanced lessons, lol.
BOB
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