Gain hands-on drafting experience in AutoCAD through architectural and engineering exercises. Learn how detail and accuracy define professional design work.
Join our AutoCAD Bootcamp and learn the fundamentals of technical drawing and develop advanced skills in creating 2D drawings using AutoCAD. This program is open to beginners and covers everything from basic AutoCAD functionalities and skills to advanced drafting techniques.
Learn basic through advanced AutoCAD skills and become an Autodesk Certificated Professional in this program.
Build a solid foundation in AutoCAD and computer-aided design with this comprehensive training bundle. Learn to create precise drafting symbols, detailed floor plans, and professional construction documents while mastering essential AutoCAD tools used in professional design workflows.
Build a solid foundation in AutoCAD and master advanced techniques to design and create professional-grade construction documents. This comprehensive training prepares you for Autodesk CAD certification, covering the skills necessary for a successful career in design and drafting.
Learn 2D drafting skills with AutoCAD and enhance your design capabilities with specialized tools like Revit. This program prepares you for a successful career in construction design, with real-world applications and project-based learning.
Learn how to use AutoCAD to create drawings for real mechanical and architectural objects, starting with basic tools and moving on to more advanced skills. This course will cover topics such as creating and editing drawings, using object snaps and tracking, organizing drawings with layers, and inserting blocks.
AutoCAD is a commercial 2D and 3D software application that was designed by Autodesk Inc. For computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting tasks. It was initially released in 1982 for use on Macs or Windows devices. In the time since its release, AutoCAD has become the most widely used CAD software on the market. This vector graphics program uses lines, circles, text, and arcs to create more complex objects. Its interchange file format, DXF, and its native file format, AutoCAD DWG, are considered the industry-standard for interchanging 2D CAD data.
While many people associate AutoCAD with home design, this software has a range of other uses, such as surveying, garment design, town planning, and mechanical and geographical projects. Professionals like Engineers, Architects, Graphic Designers, City Planners, and Project Managers work with AutoCAD for tasks like conceptualizing ideas, creating technically accurate drawings and designs, and quickly executing design simulations and calculations. It’s also a popular tool for plumbing plans, electrical drawings, and technical drawings for large-scale projects. This software is commonly used in the drafting phase of a project, when structural details are visualized, since it helps users create digital 2D blueprints. Among AutoCAD’s many features, this software can draw and edit structures with extreme precision. Users can add exact dimensions and text to these designs as necessary. This software allows users to view a project’s geometry from different scales and organize it into styles, layers, or colors. Additionally, one of AutoCAD’s most helpful features is its collaborative tool, which is used to create prototypes and blueprints. Files created in AutoCAD can all be saved and stored in the cloud, so they’ll be available anytime from any location.
Learning AutoCAD will prepare you to create and alter 2D and 3D designs much faster and easier than could be done by hand. Those with AutoCAD training can collaborate on projects across mobile, web, or desktop devices. This software has applications in many industries for projects of all sizes and types, including architectural blueprints, manufacturing, machining, and interior design. This software also allows users to create a reusable block library in which manufacturing components or portions of the design that will be repeatedly used can be designed, saved, and reused as much as necessary. This is an especially time-saving feature for large-scale projects.
In addition to its myriad professional uses, AutoCAD can also assist with personal projects such as fashion, art, or home design. Homeowners use this software to work with a 3D model of a room before they renovate it. Artists use this software to make conceptual models of sculptures or wood carvings they will eventually create. AutoCAD can also assist with real estate graphics-related projects like floor plans.
If you’re a San Francisco resident interested in studying AutoCAD, you may be curious about what you’ll learn from coursework. While each program is unique in its requirements, scope, and duration, there are several core skills you can expect to gain regardless of the class you take. The following sections will provide a brief overview of common AutoCAD topics, such as the basic commands for drawing and editing, blocks, and layering.
AutoCAD classes that are open to beginners typically provide students with an overview of this software’s basic shortcuts and commands for drawing and editing. Students learn commands like COPY, MIRROR, MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, and ERASE. Knowing which command is best suited to a given task, as well as how to select it, is essential for those interested in working with AutoCAD for professional projects.
CAD blocks consist of lines, arcs, text, and hatches, which come together to create one 2D or 3D object. The elements that comprise this block are grouped in a manner so that AutoCAD users can select the entire object and perform actions with it, such as moving it or copying it. One of the main reasons students need to learn how to use blocks is that they’re selectable and can be quickly added to new drawings or moved between existing ones. Working with blocks helps AutoCAD users save time because they can reuse content they’ve already created. Not only does this provide standardization for design components, but it can also reduce file sizes and offer consistency within a document. Blocks can also be shared with others who are collaborating on a project or imported from third-party providers.
One of the most useful skills you are likely to learn when you take an AutoCAD class in San Francisco is how to use layers. AutoCAD’s layering system is one of its most integral features. Layers help AutoCAD users organize the objects they design based on their function or purpose. Layers also improve design display because they reduce the drawing’s visual complexity and hide non-essential information at various stages of the design process. During AutoCAD study, you will likely explore how to create unique layers for specific projects. In a home design project, learners may become familiar with how to create separate layers pertaining to a house’s foundation, floor plan, electricity, and plumbing. This tool also provides a way to turn off specific layers and focus exclusively on one at a time.
Just like any other skill, the difficulty of learning AutoCAD is dependent on factors like how you approach the learning process and your ultimate goal with this software. Initially, AutoCAD may seem overwhelming to new users because it has complex tools and commands that may seem daunting to some. However, most people who studied AutoCAD note that anyone willing to devote their time to practicing with this program can learn the ins and outs. Those looking to learn AutoCAD for high-stakes structural construction endeavors, such as how to build a bridge, must be very well-versed with this tool. If, instead, you’re interested in using AutoCAD for smaller-level projects like 3D printing or interior design, you’ll likely find it much easier to get started with AutoCAD.
Generally speaking, those with experience in computer-aided design will find it easier to learn AutoCAD than those who are new to this field. Since there are so many commands and options available in this program, some individuals can find it daunting to get used to working with this software’s many parts. The good news is that most AutoCAD users won’t need to work with all the tools it offers. For this reason, it makes sense for most people to begin their learning journey by studying basic functions and commands, and then go from there into more complex skills.
If you want to find out how long it will take you to learn AutoCAD, experts differ in their estimations because this program has so many variables that dictate a user’s acquisition speed. Most people begin by learning AutoCAD’s interface. If you already know Windows applications, this process will likely be easier for you. Most people require between four and six weeks to learn basic skills like how to use this software’s tools to create drawings and make modifications. In general, AutoCAD learners then progress into core navigation tools for drawing, including zoom out and zoom in. Most AutoCAD students progress into 2D drawing tools before trying out 3D tools since 2D drawing concepts have applications for 3D models. The bottom line is that learning AutoCAD is a process that requires practice and patience.
The decision whether to study AutoCAD in person or online will depend on several factors. In-person training provides a small-class, hands-on experience in a designated training facility in or near San Francisco. The computers that are provided already have AutoCAD installed. Students not only benefit from learning from an expert instructor who has real-world training using AutoCAD but also receive the support of learners attending class alongside them. Attending in-person courses requires that you have a reliable form of transportation and that you live within a relatively close proximity to a training facility.
If you’re interested in all the perks of in-person training without the hassle of having to commute to and from class, live online classes are a great alternative. In this training format, you have the chance to connect with a live instructor using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. This ensures you’ll receive immediate clarification and feedback. It’s important to remember that live online training still requires attending classes that meet at regularly scheduled intervals. This may make it challenging for some individuals, in particular those with busy work or personal schedules, to attend class.
Asynchronous AutoCAD classes provide an even more flexible learning alternative than live classes. In asynchronous coursework, content like tutorials or videos is pre-recorded and placed online. Students are able to complete their studies from any location at any time. This type of training is self-paced, which means students can dictate their own learning speed, pausing or rewinding content as often as necessary to facilitate note-taking. While on-demand content is typically the most affordable training option, no instructor is available in these classes. This means it’s up to the student to find answers on their own during their studies.
Those who know how to use AutoCAD can put their skills to use in prominent San Francisco industries like clean energy, manufacturing, and aerospace. The following sections will take a closer look at each of these sectors and the role AutoCAD plays.
A prominent industry in San Francisco is clean energy. The city is considered a role model in this field because it has set ambitious power consumption goals, including becoming completely reliant on renewable energy over the next several years. This commitment has led to the city’s clean energy sector experiencing rapid growth in subindustries like solar panel construction. Those who work to create renewable energy solutions in the city sometimes use AutoCAD to design, test, and create blueprints for the renewable products and systems they create, including those for use in wind, solar, hydroelectric, or nuclear sub-industries.
Manufacturing is one of the leading industries in the Bay Area. In 2022, over a tenth of the GDP of the San Francisco metro area was generated from manufacturing industries in the area. Those with AutoCAD training can use their skills in a manufacturing-related career by assisting manufacturers with product design. AutoCAD assists with creating intricate digital drawings and 3D product models, which allow those in manufacturing to analyze the product’s design from all angles and as a whole.
Many top aerospace companies are located in the Bay Area, including the Hexcel Corporation and Lockheed Martin. Companies such as these seek to discover new avenues into space and air research. They work to strengthen government defenses and create plans for eventual space tourism initiatives. Within the San Francisco aerospace industry, Aerospace Engineers rely on CAD software like AutoCAD to create parts for aircraft, design prototypes, and perform simulations.
In the following sections, several popular career paths for those in San Francisco with AutoCAD training will be explored, including CAD Drafter and CAD Designer, as well as the average salary ranges and job requirements for each position.
Those who are employed as CAD Drafters in San Francisco use different CAD software, including AutoCAD, to make detailed drawings and designs that draw from the ideas created by Engineers, Architects, or Surveyors and transform them into project or building blueprints. CAD Drafters are employed to draft and modify drawings to include specific annotations, dimensions, or requirements related to the project at hand. These blueprints have to be extremely accurate to ensure the final structure or product is functional, safe, and adheres to all specifications and requirements. CAD Drafters in San Francisco make about $112,000-$116,000 annually.
CAD Designers who are employed in San Francisco make 2D and 3D drawings for complex projects. They are employed in sectors like civil engineering, fashion, architecture, manufacturing, construction, or medical equipment. On a daily basis, CAD Designers perform tasks like establishing product timelines and budgets, working with AutoCAD or other CAD software to plan and model projects, performing research, revising drawings, and gathering reference materials for clients. The average yearly salary for a CAD Designer in San Francisco is $100,000-$102,000.
If you’re interested in studying AutoCAD, many top educators in the Bay Area provide training options. You can search for AutoCAD classes in San Francisco to find the study option most suited to your learning goals. Noble Desktop provides students with introductory-level AutoCAD training in AutoCAD Level I. This beginner-friendly program covers a range of techniques for designing and editing drawings. In this class, you’ll explore how to scale drawings through viewpoints, use layers and sheets, and create dimensional drawings. This class is available live online and in-person in New York City. Tuition includes a free course retake for one full year. Once you feel confident, you could even go on to complete AutoCAD Level II and AutoCAD Level III, which provide the next steps in your AutoCAD education.
Noble also has an AutoCAD Certification Program that’s an excellent training option if you want to learn basic drawing and editing commands before progressing into more complex skills like macros and customizations. In addition to classroom instruction, this class provides you with six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used to drill down on complicated AutoCAD skills and continue to prepare for the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam. Exam proctoring and the exam fee are included with tuition, as is a free exam retake. If you’re interested in enrolling in this class but don’t want to take the exam, you can instead receive an additional hour of tutoring. This program is available live online and in-person in NYC.
If you would like to specialize in a particular skill, such as construction documents, Noble Desktop also has AutoCAD Construction Documents Level I and Level II courses. These focus on construction document development, such as title blocks, floor plans, and building elevations for residential projects. You’ll also learn to integrate files and ensure compliance with national CAD standards.
Would those at your workplace benefit from learning how to use AutoCAD? If so, Noble Desktop can help. Noble provides live online and in-person AutoCAD corporate training to ensure that your employees will be able to leverage this program’s range of tools and features. Training covers important skills and techniques, including how to work with AutoCAD’s interface, create and edit drawings, work with blocks, and use layers. Flexible class listings ensure that your employees can schedule their AutoCAD training on nights or over the weekend to avoid conflicting with work schedules or other commitments. If you’d like to provide training for multiple employees, you can purchase vouchers to open enrollment classes for a discount. If you’re interested in learning more about the exciting AutoCAD training options currently available, contact Noble today.
If you’re searching for professional opportunities in fields related to tech, design, business, and data, look no further than San Francisco. The city is a global hub for innovative technologies, startups, and financial institutions, with some big-name companies like Google and Wells Fargo calling the Bay Area home. One incredibly valuable skill to acquire in San Francisco is AutoCAD. Whether you're pursuing work in architecture, engineering, construction, or manufacturing, this tool lets you turn ideas into realistic plans. Through Noble Desktop’s quality instructors, you’ll be able to start your career in one of these fields quicker than you think. Their combined decades of experience give professionals and aspiring experts the skills that they’ll need to excel in a real-world setting without having to sacrifice hands-on learning. It’s an ideal place to find training that teaches technical skills and practical applications to serve you well in the job search and beyond.
As an experienced educator, researcher, and conference speaker, Dr. Deanne Larson brings her industry experience to the classroom, often teaching classes related to data, AI, Python, and project management. Her professional career is exceptional, beginning with her earning three doctorates in Computer Science (AI), International Management, and Management, as well as a Master’s in Business Analytics. Beyond academia. Dr. Larson has also worked in the field of data science and analytics for over 20 years, serving as an advisor to Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, and FinTech startups through her firm, Larson & Associates, LLC. Her work spans AI-driven strategies, fraud detection machine learning models, and data governance solutions in cloud and blockchain environments. Her extensive training and career accomplishments give her the credibility to impart her knowledge to her students.