hello to all

[thehumanlynx]

I am starting training and am hired on to create floorplans and elevations for a construction company. I was hoping you all could answer me a few questions.

1. Is 2006LT the way to go for me given the scope of work I will be doing(metal buildings-- schools, offices. etc.)

2. What is a good starting point/program to take to begin to learn the autocad program?

thanks for your time.

lynx

[Spacepig]

Hi...

I've been using AutoCAD now for 17 years and I'm still learning - where you want to begin??? I think you need to be a little bit more specific as to the type of help you need for a start. Will it only be in 2D or will it be 3D? Do you have any drawing experience at all (on the board for example). You have to appreciate that AutoCAD is a HUGE program, but it may be that you can become useful to your new company within a relatively short
space of time.

1. Have a look at the help for things like
"line command "
"polyline command "
"circle command "
"arc command "
"rectangle command"
"copy command"
"move command"

There is a tab in the help for each of the above items called "procedure" which shows you how to use these most basic of commands. Learn these with simple trial and experiment approach, and when you've got these under you belt, just learn 1 new command each day - soon you'll be a whizz!

Good luck - it's not a bad life...

Spacepig

[Martinkorson]

Autocad lt is a great way to start in drafting. If youve been hired to do floorplans I think it works pretty good. Its not to hard to learn and can been used for much more that just drawing houses. CAD is a marketable skill so it can't hurt to learn it.

A good starting off point to use auctocad is to practice what you learn in your training. The way to get really good at cad is to use it. You may also want to pick up a drafting book just so you know the common terms for lines.

Autocad is like everything else you want to excel at

Set goals - reach your goals - set new goals.

[f700es]

LT will be just fine for type of work. What I would do is find a local technical college or community college and take a night class in AutoCAD. Yes, an architectural based one would be better but even a mechanical one will help you learn the basic commands and such.
Also, maybe download a demo of an architectural add-on for LT to help you draw architectural items. It will speed up things a lot! Here is one that offers a demo - http://www.drcauto.com/products/smartarchitectltpro/features.html . Good luck :)

[Spageddie]

8) I don't mean to tread on anyone toes, especially with all the great given ... BUT

I find it funny that when ever someone asked this type of query, hardly anyone mention FULL autocad due to $$$$, but when the user gets a little more experience with autocad and finds out about LISP/VBA usage in autocad then all his hope get blown away because LT can't support these..

Maybe it's just me but that's what i've notice recently.

[f700es]

8) I don't mean to tread on anyone toes, especially with all the great given ... BUT

I find it funny that when ever someone asked this type of query, hardly anyone mention FULL autocad due to $$$$, but when the user gets a little more experience with autocad and finds out about LISP/VBA usage in autocad then all his hope get blown away because LT can't support these..

Maybe it's just me but that's what i've notice recently.

Yes that is true but those can be added with 3rd party apps.

[Spacepig]

As an ex Autodesk employee, maybe I shouldn't mention this word - but why don't you have a look on the net for "LT Extender"

Spacepig