Autocad Training

I have been allocated funds to raise my standards in Autocad. (How should I take that. )

 

What do you experienced users find to have been the most successful way that you have increased your knowledge understanding and skill in using Autocad and generally with draughtsmanship.

 

Autocad help, Autocad tutorials, forums Q& A's, A particular book,

trial and error, a set of CD's, One to one training, analysing/copying existing work, An expensive intensive workshop.

Books usually for me and Archived Files on related literature :

here are some ive used

Technical Graphics Communication by Bertoline and Wiebe.

Uniform Drawing Format Manual By Stitt

And the Good old Graphics Standard- though my edition is outdated, its still a good source for drafting standards

grain:

 

Study, practice, study, practice, study.

If you enjoy AutoCAD, if AutoCAD is your hobby, you will become proficient!

 

You will find comfort in doing what you like to do.

(How should I take that. )

are you all alone or one of several? When I started here the CAD section wasn't that old. There were a couple of school leavers and a couple of old time draughters. The DO manager just read the manual and went from there. As the deparment was new there were no standards but by talking between ourself we have disciplined ourselves and now produce (mostly) drawings of a good standard which suit our needs. Obviously if you are on your own, especially if you have little knowledge of BS8888 then you don't know what you are supposed to be achieving.

Depending on where you are on your AutoCAD knowledge curve - I'd recommend a course or workshop, or one-on-one-training if you can get it.

 

If you are a bit further along, then books and the good ol' trial and error. It has worked for me.

 

Oh, and having this forum to go to for questions.

My personal preference is to first pick up a good aftermarket AutoCAD book. One that comes with a CD or DVD is a plus as it will contain drawing examples keyed to the chapters. Some authors include extras such as custom Lisp routines.

 

Next would be some kind of coursework. I've taken classes locally at a community college (relatively inexpensive) as well as two online courses (still relatively inexpensive).

 

I have also attended seminars (the last one was two days) taught by authorized AutoCAD instructors.

 

There are online video tutorials and there are companies that produce training videos too.

 

Lastly, if you have been given the key to the vault, you could always attend next year's AutoDesk University. Almost a full week of courses of every type taught by some of the best and brightest people out there.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

I actually started messing about with Autocad R10 loaded from about 16 floppy discs. I bought the complete set of Autocad R12 books second hand for £100 and have slowly been teaching myself over the last 15 years. Also Inside Autocad has been useful. I also did a city and Guilds college course and a couple of day workshops. I've had enough ability to support secondary students use CAD within a Design & Technology course. Since moving into work as a CAD draughtsperson it has become important for me to become aware of the proffessional standards.

 

Thanks dbroada on the BS8888 pointer.

It sounds like you are well on your way to becoming an expert. Keep up the good work. I'll be compiling a list of my questions for you to answer next week. Thanks.

Depending on where you are on your AutoCAD knowledge curve - I'd recommend a course or workshop, or one-on-one-training if you can get it.

 

If you are a bit further along, then books and the good ol' trial and error. It has worked for me.

 

Oh, and having this forum to go to for questions.

 

Most of my AutoCAD training was self-taught.

My bookshelf if extremely heavy. Because my area of work is specialized, I often receive via email or CD drawings that I work within; i.e.: adding piping, valves, chemical storage tanks, etc.

I have an extensive library of *.dwg files, I often edit to fit into a new project; i.e.: a sulfuric

system is the same in Sweden, the USA, Great Britian.

Materials of construction are very specific.

 

I did a lot of drafting 40+ years ago, AutoCAD didn't exist.

All my work, ever since, is either 2D with some iso projections included from time to time.

Used a slide rule for calculations.

Calculators were nowhere to be found, didn't exist.

 

I signed up and completed a local votech AutoCAD course. When I signed up, 25 or so students.

The last class, we were down to six students.

 

A number of the paying students, their own pockets or their employers, were looking more for art, not CAD.

Hi Tankman

 

Respect.

Hi Tankman

 

Respect.

 

Why TANK you grain!

We're all worker bees, always looking to improve our skills. That's why there are so many great forum members here from all the world. It's great!

 

TANKS again (I always leave the "H" out of TANKS)!

I to have learned so much from this Forum.

 

To tap in to the Forum Members wealth of knowledge is so handy.

It has helped me no end and improved my skills!!

 

Again, like BS888, never really knew about until now!!

 

Daz.