Master precision drafting through AutoCAD classes that teach both 2D and 3D design. Students explore professional workflows used in architecture, engineering, and design.
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 and SketchUp. 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 the most popular computer-aided design software used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals. This industry-standard software is extremely versatile, and it has a wide range of features that allow professionals to create 2D and 3D designs, blueprints, and models. Not only can AutoCAD users create models that visualize the exact shape, height, width, weight, and color of a product before it’s manufactured, but they also collaborate with other team members and create PDF imports. It can be used as a desktop, web, or mobile application.
Autodesk first released AutoCAD in 1982. Its development led the design industry to move away from microcomputers and mainframe computers. Personal computers became more popular with designers as they began to rely less and less on tedious, hand-drawn, pen-and-paper modeling. Since its first iteration, AutoCAD has continued to improve its functionality and features to make a well-known name for itself with a reputation for excellence. Millions of professionals all around the globe choose to use AutoCAD for their design needs, whether working alone or with a team.
AutoCAD enables users to create, edit, and collaborate across desktop, web, and mobile devices. With AutoCAD, you can produce precise 2D and 3D drawings and models, electrical diagrams, construction drawings, and interior designs. It allows designers to focus more on the design itself and less on the heavy lifting of calculations, scaling, and positioning. You can make the most of your AutoCAD training in a variety of applications, including architectural designing, interior designing, mechanical engineering, fashion, and manufacturing. The only limitation to what you can design with this software is yourself.
With tools like rendering, designers can apply lighting and unique materials to make their illustrations more realistic and comprehensible. AutoCAD’s granular data review makes it easier for architects to identify weaknesses in a design before construction begins and maintain dimensional accuracy in blueprints and floor plans. Designers of all professions enjoy the ability to view designs on a swivel, walk, or fly-around and get a 360-degree understanding of their design or model. Photorealistic renderings are a key feature of AutoCAD, whether it’s designing floor plans, medical devices, apparel, or products.
When you enroll in an AutoCAD class, you will learn the fundamentals of the software. The goal of most AutoCAD classes is to get you comfortable using the software on your own. In addition to the AutoCAD interface, you can expect to learn object organization, dimensioning, and object properties in a training class.
Using precision drawing techniques, designers can create accurate and detailed drawings. Object snapping, layer management, and object alignment are just a few precision techniques that help objects behave just as they should. Keeping objects in the proper shape, position, and aspect ensures that your drawings look the way you intend from any angle or view. Precision drawing techniques ensure that your drawings translate the way you need them to with ease and detailed accuracy.
Organizing a drawing’s objects is a critical part of using AutoCAD. By organizing a drawing into layers and blocks, the user can easily and more efficiently manipulate it. Proper file organization leads to accurate drawings that facilitate better team collaboration. You’ll sometimes need to share or reuse drawings across projects. Object organization saves time and effort while also streamlining the design process.
The object properties of a drawing control the appearance and behavior of its elements. The goal of object properties is to make a drawing more manageable and intuitive. By grouping individual objects or groups of objects by their properties (line type, line weight, color, transparency, etc.), drawings can become more dynamic and user-responsive. Proper organization of object properties can make a complex drawing easier to understand and modify.
The answer to this question will vary from one individual to another. Difficulty is subjective, and the challenges you encounter will depend on several factors, including your technical background, experience with computers, your learning goals and motivation, and time commitments. Whether you’ve had experience with computer-aided design before or not, it is possible to master this software with time and practice. You’ll find that learning AutoCAD is less stressful when you enroll in a class with a live instructor.
Many people find understanding how and when to use the many commands and options challenging. All of these options and commands are what makes this software so popular and versatile. It’s important to remember that many commands and functions won’t apply to you and your applications of the software. It’s best to start with the basics and master those before diving deeper into more advanced functions. Another challenge some students face is the transition from 2D to 3D concepts. It’s best to get comfortable with 2D concepts before diving into 3D concepts.
Depending on how well you retain information, your technical background, and other factors, it is estimated that it can take anywhere from a month to a year to learn how to use AutoCAD and become a proficient user who can properly take advantage of all its features. While there are classes that can get you familiar with the software’s basics in just one day, you will likely only feel comfortable exploring AutoCAD on your own after one of these classes. These short, essential classes can give you the confidence you need to keep exploring, experimenting, and advancing toward mastery. If you’re interested in expediting your learning, consider enrolling in a structured course where you can receive guidance and feedback.
The decision to enroll in an in-person or online AutoCAD class will rest largely on your schedule and learning preferences. If you prefer a more traditional approach to learning where you have a dedicated and relatively distraction-free learning area, hands-on instructor guidance, and full peer interaction, an in-person class will be more appealing to you. Likewise, if you can commute to class and enjoy social learning, an in-person class will be more comfortable. You’ll have the benefit of real-time feedback and peer collaboration, but your geographic location will limit your class options.
Live online classes are very similar to in-person classes, with the biggest difference being that students and instructors can attend class sessions from their location of choice. Live online classes give you a wider range of classes to choose from, as you’re not limited by your geographic location. They also give you many of the same benefits of in-person classes, including guided instruction, peer interaction and collaboration, and real-time feedback. You’ll also enjoy a more flexible schedule because there is no commute to class. The drawbacks to live online learning include fewer social cues and increased distractions.
On-demand classes are online classes that students can start, stop, pause, and rewind as needed. The class sessions are pre-recorded, so students are unable to get real-time feedback from instructors. On-demand classes are ideal for students with busy schedules or limited budgets. Some of the disadvantages of on-demand learning include no access to real-time feedback, low accountability, and isolation. Students in on-demand classes are often isolated from their peers and instructors which results in less accountability and an increased likelihood of not completing the course.
It is possible to learn AutoCAD free online. Of course, if you’re interested in a faster, high-quality, and in-depth AutoCAD education, you will likely need to enroll in a training course with a live instructor. There’s no substitution for a guided education. Some popular free online resources for learning this software include free seminars and webinars, the Autodesk website, and Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel. You can even attend a sample class for free from many training centers. Free online resources are best used as supplemental materials and deciding whether or not AutoCAD is a skill you need in your professional tool kit. It’s also useful for those who are already familiar with the software and just need a refresher.
What you want to do with your AutoCAD training will inform what you choose to learn alongside this software. Learning graphic design, UX/UI research principles, and basic animation skills can be instrumental in taking your AutoCAD skills to the next level. If you’re interested in using your AutoCAD skills in architecture, graphic design, and animation to help make your designs more appealing or appear more realistic for public viewing or presentations. UX/UI principles come in handy when developing software or tackling product design. These skills allow you to conduct the proper research and understand the materials, techniques, and tools that are going to best fit a specific design.
You can find AutoCAD being used in many ways across many diverse industries in Toronto. Because this software has many applications and is so versatile, it is often used in surprising ways. The manufacturing, life sciences, and entertainment industries are equipped to deliver unexpected and innovative things thanks to AutoCAD.
Some of the top-grossing products manufactured in the country include motor vehicle parts, food products, and petroleum. The Toronto manufacturing industry is booming. One of the reasons for this is the highly educated and low-cost workforce behind manufacturing. Some manufacturing companies have decided to move their headquarters to the area for even more benefits. This industry brings in hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
AutoCAD plays a big role in this industry, allowing designers to accurately represent a product to be manufactured with relative ease. When the dimensions, materials, and other intricacies of a product are communicated clearly and accurately, there is less chance for things to go awry. This software has revolutionized the way products are conceptualized, designed, and fabricated. With the creation of virtual prototypes, producers can give more lead time to manufacturers to analyze and optimize designs before production begins.
If you’re looking for the densest biological research center in the world, look no further than Toronto’s Discovery District. Here, you’ll find more than 30 medical research facilities. Biotech innovators are drawn to this area in part due to its thriving manufacturing sector. Being so close to some of the best medical device manufacturers is a major bonus for many companies in the life sciences industry. This thriving industry is adding more than $3 billion to the local economy.
It’s easy to picture AutoCAD being used when creating 3D models of joints, organs, and medical devices, but can you envision modeling microscopic biological and tissue phenomena in precise detail? AutoCAD can bring the invisible world to the forefront, allowing researchers, scientists, and medical professionals to better understand the human body, pre-plan medical procedures, teach a new generation of physicians, and push the life sciences forward. Pharmaceutical companies even use this software to help gain a better understanding of how molecular dynamics will interact with the human body and simulate targeted drug delivery systems that can significantly improve patient outcomes.
Toronto is a major hub for the entertainment industry. It’s the largest entertainment and media center in Canada and is even sometimes referred to as “Hollywood North.” Toronto’s low cost of production and tax incentives are also a big draw for entertainment professionals. Many international film companies choose to film here, helping this industry to add billions of dollars to Canada’s GDP every year. Not only are there monetary benefits to this industry, but also networking opportunities. Toronto is a place where creative professionals of all skill levels come together to share, learn, and grow.
AutoCAD may seem like it has little place in this industry, but it does more than most would imagine behind the scenes. You’ll find it hard at work in set production. Some films and shows can film using existing structures, but productions often need to build a set. Those who are charged with this task often use tools like AutoCAD to create seamless and detailed blueprints of the sets, backdrops, and props used in theater, film, and television. Even artists use AutoCAD to plan artwork, like sculptures and other types of structural installations. It’s also used in event planning and management, from trade shows to exhibitions.
Although AutoCAD was created for architects and engineers at its inception, it is now the tool of choice for all types of designers in a variety of industries. Beyond the array of engineers, architects, and interior designers, AutoCAD is also used by Drafters, CAD Designers, and Product Designers. It’s a versatile tool that allows users to materialize their creativity both precisely and accurately with great detail.
A Drafter works alongside Architects and Engineers to create technical plans and renderings for things from buildings to circuits. Once they’ve compiled the necessary drawings and specs, Drafters employ AutoCAD to build detailed schematics and diagrams. Their expertise lies in 2D and 3D modeling, engineering and architectural concepts, CAD design, and techniques to calculate design limitations and resource needs. Drafters also need to understand industry-specific regulations and requirements like building codes and technical standards. Their detailed and precise drawings are the guidelines used in manufacturing, construction, and design iterations. The main responsibilities of a Drafter include creating technical drawings, interpreting design specifications, collaborating with design teams, conducting research and analysis, maintaining project documentation, and reviewing and updating drawings. A Toronto Drafter can earn a salary ranging between $45,000 and $61,000.
Translating complex projects into technical drawings with CAD software takes the expertise of a CAD Designer. Whether it's 2D, 3D, or solid modeling, these professionals work on a variety of projects from civil engineering to fashion to medical equipment. They work in various industries as a part of a design team. Most CAD Designers have a specialty, like exterior design, architecture, or industrial design. Much of the work involves establishing timelines and budgets for their design projects, attending meetings with collaborators and managers, creating models with CAD software, gathering reference information, making revisions to drawings, and keeping a database of design records. In addition to AutoCAD, CAD Designers are also proficient in Microstation, other design software, and project management software. A basic understanding of spatial reasoning, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is also needed in this profession. A typical CAD Designer salary in Toronto falls between $44,000 and $64,000.
Product Designers create and refine the visual and functional aspects of a product. Working with engineering and development teams and software like AutoCAD, a Product Designer develops prototypes and brings functional products to markets. There are different types of product designers, some specializing in software and others in physical products. Physical products can be toys, machine parts, or even medical devices. Depending on the industry and the types of products being designed, typical responsibilities of these professionals can include conducting A/B testing, creating prototypes, establishing design requirements, and researching products, materials, and tools. Product Designers need to have expertise in UI/UX principles, CAD, and design thinking. If you choose to follow this career path, the typical salary in Toronto ranges between $72,000 and $112,000.
There are many great AutoCAD classes available in Toronto to help you reach your AutoCAD learning goals, like this NetCom Learning Autodesk AutoCAD 2025: Essentials course. In this course, students will learn foundational AutoCAD skills, with a strong focus on creating, modifying, and managing drawings. Course topics will include navigating the user interface and workspace, basic AutoCAD tools, organizing drawings, using layers, using blocks, preparing layouts for plotting, and adding text, hatching, and dimensions to drawings. There are no formal prerequisites to this course, but it is helpful to be familiar with drafting terminology and be familiar with computers. Because this is a live online course, students will need to have access to the 2025 version of AutoCAD. This course does not cover AutoCAD 2024 or previous versions.
Noble Desktop’s AutoCAD Certification Program is a beginner-friendly course designed to teach you how to use AutoCAD to the fullest while also preparing you to take and pass the Autodesk Certified Professional in CAD for Design & Drafting exam. This live, instructor-led, hands-on course consists of three AutoCAD classes, two 1-on-1 tutoring sessions, the certification exam with a free retake, and an option to replace the certification exam with one additional hour of private tutoring. Students learn basic AutoCAD skills before progressing into more advanced techniques like customizations and macros. There are multiple class schedules to choose from, so you can learn during evenings or on weekdays. The cost of the course includes your exam fees, and you can retake the course for free within one year. There are no prerequisites for this course, and you can attend in-person in New York City or live online from Toronto.
AutoCAD Essentials from Seneca Polytechnic is a course for individuals who want to learn how to use AutoCAD efficiently. Students will learn drafting techniques most often used in architecture and engineering and the full breadth of the software’s applications. This course covers basic to advanced skills, architectural drawing, 3D modeling, and design conventions. Seneca students are given access to AutoCAD on their devices with a one-year education license. There are no prerequisites; however, students should be comfortable using a personal computer.
Students who are looking to make a career out of using AutoCAD might also be interested in their options for career focused, self-guided classes. These courses allow students to learn at their own pace (with guidance and assistance from a professional mentor) and they provide students with career-focused training and job placement support. While many students find it desirable to learn from a live instructor, these self-paced classes are the perfect fit for self-motivated students looking to make a career out of their AutoCAD training.
AutoCAD Certificate Program
The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers an immersive AutoCAD certificate program that aims to help students become career ready within only a few weeks of training. This program provides students with hands-on, job-focused training in the use of AutoCAD and the course is designed with new students in mind, meaning that you’ll move from your first construction draft to a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio over the course of the certificate program. This program also offers students the opportunity to take up to 80 hours of electives to help them specialize in subjects including Revit, SketchUp and Civil 3D Pro. With this option for specialization and the focus on career development training, this certificate program is an ideal entry point for aspiring designers, architects and engineers looking to learn how to use AutoCAD in a professional capacity.
AutoCAD Fundamentals
Students looking for an accelerated introduction to AutoCAD and computer-aided design generally may be interested in taking this introductory course offered by VDCI. Students will learn the basics of using AutoCAD and practical skills that they can bring back to their current jobs or use as the baseline for future CAD training (including some of the other advanced classes offered through VDCI). In this class, students will get live, hands-on instruction in the use of AutoCAD, including exercises in which they create drafting symbols, kitchens and bath fixtures, a floor plan, and deliverable file sheets. While you’ll need more training if you want to make a career out of your AutoCAD skills, this course is an excellent introduction to the kinds of projects that AutoCAD professionals will need to utilize.
AutoCAD Professional
If you have already taken the AutoCAD fundamentals program or you have experience with AutoCAD from another source, you may be interested in moving towards professional level training in this advanced AutoCAD program. In this program, students will learn how to create 2D designs for construction documents that meet all of the necessary and legal standards that they are expected to follow. This course offers practical skills training and is designed to ensure that experienced AutoCAD users are able to get the accelerated training that they need to start using the application in more complex professional capacities. This course is built to help students learn at their own pace and class scheduling is incredibly flexible for professionals looking to develop new skills while still working.
Noble Desktop has options for businesses and organizations regarding corporate training in AutoCAD. Courses are available for employees of all skill levels, whether they only need an AutoCAD introduction or an advanced class to expand their existing knowledge of the software. For those who would appreciate a more comprehensive AutoCAD education, bootcamps are offered as inclusive programs that teach techniques and concepts from beginner to advanced. Training in AutoCAD varies depending on the course or courses chosen. Instructors can even create a customized curriculum that meets the unique needs of your employees or organization.
Noble Desktop courses feature industry experts who bring real-world experience from Wall Street or Fortune 500 companies. Onsite training is available at your business location or online from anywhere. Training is also available at Noble Desktop’s learning facilities in NYC. Students learn in a computer lab with all the necessary materials provided to them. If team training isn’t an option for your employees, they may also attend classes individually as permitted by their schedule. Discount bulk vouchers are available when enrolling in public-offered AutoCAD courses. Contact Noble Desktop for more information.