How to keep autocad skills sharp

[albundy213]

Hi all,

 

I took autoCAD 2010 as one of my elective courses and I barely passed it because my focus was elsewhere. After talking to some people in the design industry, I just realized the importance of learning autoCAD. I would like to get some input on the following questions.

 

1) How can I maintain my level of sharpness in autoCAD if I don't have a job working with it?

 

2) After going over the tutorials, what should be my next step in order to better myself at using autoCAD?

 

Thanks for the help and look forward to gain as much knowledge from cadtutor.

[arjun_samar]

Hello, have you heard of the saying PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

For the main time, if you don't have a job with cad, always do cad exercises.

[Lazer]

Draw , Draw and Draw some more, pick an object in the room and draw it, do this a few times a week and you will be as sharp as a knife.

[hoss]

As people suggested practice as much as you can, start with simple stuff and try to make it more and more complicated,

whatever you see out there, try to think how to draw it in CAD, even if you have to do it in your head

If you get stuck, just ask and people here are very helpful here

make a note of the useful command that you learn, as its easy to forget if you don't use them for while

the more you practice, the more questions you will have and learn more

[ReMark]

What field do you see yourself using CAD skills in? Architectural, industrial design, mechanical, other?

[albundy213]

Wow! I appreciate all the rapid feedback on this forum. I will make a note of everything and use each and everyone's advice. Maybe next time I should pay attention in class because I feel left behind compared to my classmates. @ReMark-I plan on getting into mechanical and some industrial design. I guess my biggest challenge is just drawing objects. autoCAD has so many features, I'm just overwhelmed by it that I feel as though I'll never reach my goal, but I know practice makes anyone better even the worst of learners like myself. I will begin some drawings and atleast if I get stuck I know where to come to for help. Thanks a lot everyone.

[Tankman]

And, use online tutorials from time to time! http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/48-568/2DVideosWEB_files/frame.htm

[lortech]

I know mine is very dated but it still does the job. I still have cad 2002 version. Eventually, will update it when my funds allow. Is there tutorials geared to older versions of autocad?

 

I will be fabricating up a bracket but want to design it in autocad so it can be cut up by a plasma cnc cutter.

[ReMark]

lortech:

 

Why not pick up a copy of any technical drafting book and continue honing your skills with the exercises you'll find within? If the problems were good enough to teach manual drafting they should work just as well for practicing you CAD skills.

[rkent]

Go to Alibris.com (used bookstore) and search for Applying AutoCAD 2010, or 2002, or what ever year/version you are using. Terry Wohler writes a really good self guided text book. I think there is an exercise book to go along with the text. I feel this is better than simply drawing something because you will not learn the various commands and all their options like you will with a self guide text. $0.02

[lortech]

I completely forgot that I am reading ebooks from our library online. If I can find the lattest PC network books and read them online, why not older editions of auto-cad?

 

Of course, a class in auto-cad would help immensely.

[Jabba]

I've been using AutoCAD for over 35 years and I'm still learning the fascinating uses it can be put to. Your never too old to learn so just do what all the guys here have said, draw, draw and draw some more - practice makes perfect!