Where do I go for help with an AutoCAD problem?

[ReMark]

Lost, dazed and confused or just plain bewildered? Not to worry. Help is not that far away. My personal list for assistance with an AutoCAD problem looks like this. Your list may be somewhat or totally different.

1. AutoCAD’s own Help file. It’s right there at your fingertips. Why aren’t you using it? Its’ five main sections include the User’s Guide, Command Reference, Driver & Peripheral Guide, Installation & Licensing Guide, and the Customization Guide. This last one covers AutoLISP, Visual LISP, DXF, ActiveX and VBA. Not sure where to look? Click on the Index or Search tabs and type in a keyword or words to begin your quest for knowledge.

2a. The AutoCAD User’s Guide. You can elect to receive the printed version when you get the latest copy of AutoCAD. AutoCAD’s 2009 UG consists of three volumes covering over 1300 pages for those of you who still crave the printed page. Light reading anyone?

2b. A good aftermarket AutoCAD reference book. Great for less techno-talk and more plain-speak when it comes to using AutoCAD day in and day out. Examples of well written books for AutoCAD 2009 include:

-AutoCAD 2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009 Bible by Ellen FinkelsteinAutoCAD
-2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009: No Experience Required by Jon McFarland
-Mastering AutoCAD 2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009 by George Omura
-AutoCAD 2009: One Step At A Time by Sean Sykes

3a. AutoDesk’s own website. Great for service packs, white papers, hot fixes, the Support Knowledge Base, etc.

3b. AutoDesk Discussion Groups accessed by the previously mentioned AutoDesk website. Now requires registration (free). Some heavy hitters participate at this site and you’re sometimes likely to get feedback directly from a handful of people at AutoDesk but generally help comes from other AutoCAD users just like you and me. The three main forums, each with their own sub-categories, are AutoCAD General, Topic-Specific and Customization.

3c. AutoCAD User Groups International (AUGI). This website, which requires registration (free), offers the online publication AUGIWorld, education via AUGI eLearning, and the AUGI Forum. Under the main heading of AutoCAD Technical you’ll find such forums as AutoCAD Collaboration Tools, AutoDesk Data Management Tools, CAD Management, AEC, Facilities Management, General Design, Civil Engineering, Geospatial, Manufacturing, Design Visualization and Programming. Each of these forums contain anywhere from four to eleven different sub-forums covering a wide range of subject matter. How much time do you have? Better bring a large cup of coffee. You’re going to be there for a while.

4. CADTutor or an equivalent AutoCAD forum. Examples, in alphabetical order, include:

-AutoCAD Everything
-AutoCAD Forum at Cadopolis
-CADalyst Discussion Forums
-CAD Forum
-The Swamp

Community sizes vary widely as well as the level of participation. I’ll refrain from making any comparisons to CT as that is entirely subjective. Each to his/her own liking as there is something for everyone.

5. Your local authorized AutoDesk Reseller. This is going to depend on your relationship with the company from which you purchased AutoCAD and the extent of services they offer. Some companies only speak to their Reseller when they need to buy or update software. Other companies rely heavily on the Reseller to assist with problem-solving, set-up and trouble-shooting of peripherals and training. This level of assistance does come with a price.

6. The Subscription Center. Like the man says however, “It’s gonna cost you.” Our annual rate for the last two years was $495 (U.S.). According to AutoDesk some of the benefits of being on subscription are:

-Access to all upgrades and Bonus packs
-Download of extensions for products under subscription
-Web support direct from AutoDesk experts
-eLearning lessons
-Exclusive resources such as web casts and an AutoCAD weblog
-Access to members-only Subscription Center & other perks

7. Independent websites by the famous Lynn Allen of Lynn Allen’s Blog, the nearly-famous like R.K. McSwain of CAD Panacea and maybe the not so well known but none-the-less talented like Art Whitton of My CAD Site to name a mere three. Their combined websites, along with many, many others, offer tips, tricks, and a plethora of “how to” articles and tutorials as well as opinions and news enough to keep even the most die-hard AutoCAD fanatic occupied for hours. Another good source for help/information is CAD Digest. There you’ll find 60 different CAD-related subjects covered including AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.

Disclaimer: Rankings are the personal opinion of this writer and do not reflect the views and opinions of CADTutor or its moderators and are subject to change without good reason or notice depending on the severity of the problem, the accuracy of the tip and how quickly I’m back up and running. Caveat emptor.

8. Your last resort: your favorite Search engine. Typing in “AutoCAD help” generated over 21,000 hits in the Google search engine. Need I say more?

Well, this is my short list. Your results may vary. If you would care to share your list with us or make suggestions to the list I created by all means please do so. I am not an authority on the subject or an all-things-AutoCAD expert and I am definitely not a role model. Knowledge is like treasure; you constantly have to be on the search for it. Seek and ye shall find. Peace out.

[RichterGMC]

Great writeup ReMark, much appreciated

[uddfl]

Sticky this! nAo!

[Strix]

ReMark, how would you feel about a poll on this to see who uses what methods?

Brilliant reference thread

[rkent]

The problem with help files is you usually have to know the answer or ask in a very specific manner to narrow in on the answer. For instance one of the most common questions is "I now longer get a dialog box when I hit open file."

So at the top of your list I would put going to Cadtutor and search FAQ?

But, still, a very nice list for folks to use!

[ReMark]

Thank you all for your comments. Much appreciated.

I think there are a number of factors that influence where and how an AutoCAD user seeks help. One such factor is experience. Another factor is the ability to define the problem accurately. How many threads here start out with some vague question or description of a problem that has forum members initially responding with a series of questions themselves and not necessarily an immediate answer?

rkent: I did not want to appear biased so I intentionally moved CADTutor and other AutoCAD forums further down the list. Truth is CT ranks much higher with me anyway but again it is all personal preference. I was trying to approach the subject in a logical and straight-forward manner. However, your point is well taken.

[Cad64]

Ok, this is now a Sticky in the 'Useful Links' section. I didn't really know where else to put it, and it was going to get lost if left where it was, so now it's here for all to enjoy.

Thanks for taking the time to compile this list ReMark.

[ReMark]

You're welcomed Cad64. I must admit to feeling honored that it has been chosen to appear as a Sticky in the Useful Links section. My humble thanks.