AutoCAD stands for Autodesk's (the company that created and develops the software) computer-aided design, which involves technology that enables designers and drafters to create 2D and 3D drawings. A variety of professionals use AutoCAD in industries such as architecture, engineering, and construction. Drafters can apply their skills with AutoCAD to design accurate and detailed drawings. AutoCAD facilitates the easy design of drawings and blueprints that can be used for constructing buildings, developing machines, or creating tools.
AutoCAD is commonly used in areas like engineering, architecture, interior design, and 3D printing to create models, blueprints to scale, and schematics. Engineers, interior designers, and architects as well as a variety of industries depend on AutoCAD for project management, architectural design, and engineering to enable 2D and 3D designs. Mainly, AutoCAD helps increase productivity and efficiency in work environments by providing more consistency than pen-and-paper drawing for generating designs. This means that designers and related professionals can more readily demonstrate work to potential clients who are looking for design services.
What Can You Do with AutoCAD Training?
For people looking for an advantage in today’s competitive labor market, learning AutoCAD can give them that advantage through learning skills for working with a much sought-after tool. AutoCAD facilitates computer-aided design (CAD) to create models, blueprints to scale, and schematics. Architects, interior designers, and engineers depend on AutoCAD with project management, architectural design, and engineering to enable 2D and 3D designs.
AutoCAD helps increase productivity and efficiency by providing more consistency in the design process. Computer-aided design helps professional designers with reliability for helping clients bring their ideas to reality.
For individuals looking for a skill that contributes to finding work in the thriving technology industry, AutoCAD gives them a powerful drafting tool for streamlining draft and design tasks. AutoCAD offers a definite asset for a career in design and engineering.
What Will I Learn in an AutoCAD Class?
AutoCAD is an essential tool that provides designers, engineers, architects, and other professionals with skills for operating in several industries. AutoCAD offers versatile software that facilitates design, prototyping, and animating. AutoCAD is considered the industry-standard software for computer-aided design. Gaining skills with AutoCAD can lead to finding work in architecture, engineering, drafting, and design. Listed below are a few skills related to finding work through training in AutoCAD:
Drafting
Drafting with AutoCAD involves creating drawings and technical models for working on designing buildings, layouts, and blueprints. Drafts are used by construction teams, architects, and engineers as well as several other professionals whose job is to design blueprints used in developing buildings and other types of physical objects. AutoCAD can be used in drafting for converting designs created by architects and engineers into technically sound and accurate drawings and blueprints. Drawings and blueprints created with AutoCAD can be used for developing concepts as varied as buildings, automobiles, and tools.
Design
Designers use AutoCAD for creating 2D and 3D models that can help with producing detailed images used for work in interior design that includes color schemes, spacing, and furniture placement. AutoCAD helps designers with creating accurate drawings for designs that get built or distributed. Industrial designers use AutoCAD for designing everything ranging from children’s toys to automobiles. AutoCAD helps designers see how a product may look or functions realistically along with helping figure out how that product might be made more attractive for appealing to customers. AutoCAD facilitates developing prototypes for testing functionality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
Architecture
AutoCAD is a popular design tool used in architecture. Architects use AutoCAD to create floor plans and 3D designs with blueprints for residential homes, office buildings, and landscapes. AutoCAD facilitates designing realistic 3D models that give architects ideas for surfaces and shapes when creating structures. AutoCAD helps with designing buildings by being able to see a design from several angles as well as calculating load levels of support structures.
Engineering
Engineers can use AutoCAD for design and specification on a variety of projects, including designing motor engines, elevators, bridges, roads, and electrical grids. AutoCAD helps engineers prototype to test how a design might perform in the real-world. Aerospace engineers and aviation designers, for example, use AutoCAD to design aircraft parts as well as conducting simulations. Materials engineers, electrical engineers, civil engineers, and industrial engineers use AutoCAD in several capacities for developing, completing, and testing designs.
Animation
Animators use AutoCAD to create animations that demonstrate how a product might function in the real-world. Designers, engineers, and architects can use AutoCAD for animating with simulations and prototyping. For example, animation allows designers to create simulations and visualizations for everything from architectural designs to engineering projects.
How Hard is It to Learn AutoCAD?
Learning AutoCAD can open up paths in several career directions for working as designers, drafters, engineers, and architects. Among the greatest difficulties with learning AutoCAD is being comfortable using computers as well as opening up to adapting skills for working with design applications. However, AutoCAD is not just another graphic design tool. For instance, the interface for AutoCAD on PCs is significantly different from the interface on Macs. However, anyone training in either format should be able to adapt their knowledge for using the computer-aided design software without too much difficulty. AutoCAD provides versatile design software for designing, prototyping, and animating concepts through various methods for a variety of purposes that require patience. AutoCAD is considered the industry-standard CAD software. Therefore, being computer literate represents the first steps with learning AutoCAD for eventually being able to work with the software for visualizing ideas into 2D and 3D concepts. Learning AutoCAD can open up career opportunities in animation, engineering, architecture, design, and drafting.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning AutoCAD?
For people with no experience in computer-aided design, learning AutoCAD may be challenging. However, this does not mean that learning the design software will be impossible. Despite difficulties, new learners who are comfortable with using computers should be able to pick up skills for using AutoCAD with practice over time. Learning AutoCAD requires understanding the software’s abundance of functions, commands, and options, which may overwhelm the faint of heart.
How Long Does It Take to Learn AutoCAD?
As with learning anything related to technology, the time it may take to learn AutoCAD can vary greatly. For example, initial training in AutoCAD may take only a few hours while more advanced training could take several months. Learning AutoCAD as part of a college degree may involve enrolling in several classes over a couple of years. Additionally, with ever-evolving changes in technology, even experienced designers and engineers who work with computer-aided design tools will likely need a refresher course at some point.
Should I Learn AutoCAD in Person or Online?
In-person training to learn AutoCAD is an effective way to gain skills with the computer-aided design software with a variety of options available within or near Baltimore. However, while many people in Baltimore who are considering learning AutoCAD may choose face-to-face training with an instructor standing in front of them, others might prefer to avoid having to deal with rush-hour traffic in Charm City after working all day by opting to enroll in live online courses as an alternative for gaining knowledge with the design software.
In-person classes allow for personal interactions with classmates and instructors as well as being shielded from distractions from the outside world. On the other hand, live online courses allow students to learn from home by gaining the same level of education that they would get from sitting inside a classroom. Learning AutoCAD can open up paths to several careers related to design and prototyping. AutoCAD can be used as a tool that helps with finding work as designers, engineers, and architects as well as other professions related to design and drafting. AutoCAD offers a versatile design tool that can help with designing, prototyping, and animation concepts for a variety of purposes in several industries. AutoCAD is widely considered the industry-standard CAD software.
Can I Learn AutoCAD Free Online?
For those who don't feel quite ready to pay for in-person or live online AutoCAD classes, there are a variety of free training options available from several online education providers. This includes Simplilearn, which offers the free AutoCAD: Beginner to Professional Training course for new learners. Udemy also offers free training in computer-aided design such as the AutoCAD for Beginners tutorial. Alison has the free AutoCAD: Basic Practice Drawings class. Additionally, Noble Desktop offers free video seminars for gaining basic knowledge in graphic design that can help with eventually learning AutoCAD, including the Get Started with Motion Graphics, the Intro to SVG Web Graphics & Animation, and the Graphic Design Fundamentals seminars.
What Should I Learn Alongside AutoCAD?
Anyone who has been contemplating training in AutoCAD might want to consider enrolling in a certificate training program or passing a certification exam that verifies expertise with the computer-aided design software. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same things. Certificate programs can provide hands-on training in AutoCAD that can provide prospective designers, architects, and engineers with skills for using the design software professionally. Education providers like Noble Desktop, for example, offer a variety of AutoCAD-related courses, including the AutoCAD Bootcamp that will train you in the fundamentals of technical drawing along with advanced skills for being able to create 2D drawings using the computer-aided design software.
Gaining certification requires passing an exam administered by an industry-recognized organization. Anyone thinking about certification in AutoCAD can do so through Autodesk, the company that manufactures the software, which offers several paths to certification contingent on a candidate’s career ambitions. Autodesk offers four levels of AutoCAD certification, beginning with Autodesk Certified User (ACU), which verifies that a person has entry-level skills for working with AutoCAD software. The Autodesk Certified Associate (ACA) certifies that a person has a higher level of knowledge and skills with AutoCAD along with being ready to get right to work. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) confirms an individual’s skills with AutoCAD, including capabilities for solving complex problems with workflows and designs related to the software. Finally, Autodesk Certified Expert (ACE) represents the highest level of certification in AutoCAD design for experienced professionals who demonstrate in-depth knowledge and abilities for working with CAD. While certificate programs and certifications are not the same, enrolling in certificate training can help with passing certification exams.
Industries That Use AutoCAD
Baltimore is among the best-established cities in the United States for research and development due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. along with schools like Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland being available within the metropolitan area. Major industries operating in Baltimore include transportation, construction, manufacturing, education, healthcare, financial services, and information technology. Many of these industries are looking for people with skills in computer-aided design to effectively design, build, and construct products and structures for a variety of customers and clients. Being able to apply skills with AutoCAD in Baltimore can help establish careers for turning concepts into reality in a variety of industries such as architecture, engineering, and other areas of design. Listed below are industries that can benefit from people with training in AutoCAD:
Architecture
AutoCAD provides an essential tool in architecture, as many architects use the design software to create blueprints during the construction process. AutoCAD helps architects from both an artistic and technical standpoint for designing structures. AutoCAD offers a versatile tool in architecture for designing the interior of homes, commercial buildings, and other types of structures.
Architectural-related businesses depend on AutoCAD for unknotting complex issues involved with the design process for creating buildings. AutoCAD helps with drafting in architecture for taking ideas from the drawing stage to creating detailed blueprints. Architects can use AutoCAD features and functions for layering, rotation, scaling, and mirroring for rendering 2D or 3D models when designing the interior and exterior of buildings.
Aviation Industry
The aviation industry uses AutoCAD for streaming the design process involved with creating and producing aircraft and aircraft parts that depend on precision to assure safety for preserving lives. Aircraft manufacturers use AutoCAD for producing detailed and reliable parts through 3D modeling for ensuring that intricate designs for components work as expected. Using AutoCAD includes testing for durability before any part moves forward to production, especially when considering recent incidents involving small parts failing, which includes a door falling off of a plane and a fuel line malfunctioning. Designing and prototyping with AutoCAD helps ensure that products work and fit properly.
Additionally, the aviation industry uses AutoCAD in planning airport layouts for designing runways, taxiways, and gates.
Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry depends on AutoCAD for help with designing, prototyping, and testing concepts during product design. Several companies use AutoCAD with developing prototypes for testing the functions of a product design before committing to producing an item. Prototyping allows manufacturers to efficiently make changes or improvements on a product before initiating large-scale production. Options for prototyping, animation, and simulation features available with AutoCAD help companies with seeing in detail how a product might function in the real-world.
Companies also rely on AutoCAD for designing and developing the machinery and production facilities used for building a variety of products. AutoCAD helps with precise measurements with producing items like tools or parts for ensuring that components fit together properly. Additionally, engineers working in the manufacturing industry use AutoCAD for avoiding complications during the design stage to facilitate a seamless process once a product has been approved for production.
Interior Design
Interior design is an industry that works in shaping indoor living spaces and workspaces to a client’s specifications. AutoCAD offers a versatile tool that helps with interior design by giving interior designers and clients a sneak peek at what a concept will look like. AutoCAD allows interior designers to turn ideas into reality by visualizing the insides of homes, commercial buildings, and other types of structures.
Interior design companies use AutoCAD for creating floor plans, elevations, and 3D models with developing concepts. Professionals can use features available with AutoCAD for making accurate measurements and material estimations on interior design projects. AutoCAD helps interior designers with visualizing a design to see what practical changes might need to be made before moving forward on a project.
AutoCAD Job Titles and Salaries
For individuals looking for an advantage in today’s competitive tech labor market, learning AutoCAD can give them an advantage through training on the design software. AutoCAD stands for computer-aided design (CAD) that designers, engineers, and architects can use for creating models, blueprints, and schematics. A variety of professions depend on AutoCAD for project management, architectural design, and engineering projects for facilitating 2D and 3D designs. AutoCAD helps with increasing productivity and efficiency by providing more consistency with design work than pen-and-paper drawing for more easily and reliably generating designs. This means that designers and related professionals are able to showcase their work to clients looking for design services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for working as engineers looks to increase by nine percent between 2023 and 2033 with opportunities for mechanical engineers projected to increase by 11 percent. With CAD skills, a person has plenty of career options available in a city like Baltimore for working in design and engineering with various industries. Listed below are several occupations that benefit from skills in AutoCAD:
CAD Designer
A CAD Designer must possess skills in AutoCAD for creating 2D and 3D models for working on a variety of projects. This profession requires technical skills and expertise in design and drafting. People with skills in AutoCAD can help in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, engineering, and product development. Throughout Baltimore, a CAD Designer can earn an annual income ranging from $48,000 to $84,000.
Architect
Architects develop construction plans based on client specifications, which include creating design for structural systems; central air, heating, and ventilation systems; electrical systems; and plumbing. Architects can use skills with AutoCAD for designing and building structures as part of their job by creating construction drawings and blueprints. Working as an Architect includes hand drawing plans as well as designing blueprints during the conceptual stages of project development. Architects working in Baltimore can make between $56,000 and $101,000 a year.
Industrial Designer
Industrial designers can use AutoCAD to help with making design concepts into reality for a variety of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and engineering. Industrial design requires creative skills, business acumen, and engineering knowledge for designing everyday products for everyday use. Industrial designers have responsibilities for designing aesthetically pleasing products, estimating production costs, and developing ergonomically efficient products. Industrial designers can earn an annual income ranging from around $58,000 to $97,000 in Baltimore.
Materials Engineer
Materials engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials used for creating everything from auto parts to computer chips to medical devices. Materials engineers must have knowledge of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, and nanomaterials along with other types of materials for work involving mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. Materials engineers who have a background in AutoCAD can earn from $77,000 to $153,000 a year working in Baltimore.
AutoCAD Classes Near Me
There are several ways to learn AutoCAD. Many people in Baltimore may prefer training for the computer-aided design tool inside a classroom with an instructor standing in front of them. However, some might prefer learning AutoCAD without having to leave the comforts of home to venture out into the Charm City’s hectic traffic. While in-person learning offers the advantage of physical interaction among students and teachers as well as isolation from outside distractions, a virtual learning course relieves students of the stress of having to go anywhere for training.
Noble Desktop offers the live online AutoCAD Bootcamp that teaches you the fundamentals of technical drawing for gaining skill to create 2D drawings using the computer-aided design software. Lessons cover AutoCAD functions as well as learning advanced drafting techniques. You will start with beginner-level AutoCAD training to learn about basic drawing and modification techniques with drafting and technical drawing along with how to use AutoCAD for designing real-world objects for mechanical and architectural projects. The intermediate portion of this course focuses on learning how to create and edit simple drawings. Upon completing this bootcamp, you will have a basic understanding of CAD. This course has been designed for PC users, so while Mac users can enroll, they should be aware that the Mac AutoCAD interface differs from the PC interface, which will be the format used with training. This course offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.
People in Baltimore can enroll at NYC Career Centers for courses like the live online AutoCAD Masterclass for beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level training with the computer-aided design software. The beginner’s portion of this class trains students on the fundamentals of AutoCAD. Beginner-level lessons cover how to create drawings, work with the interface, and learn basic drawing and editing commands. The intermediate section of this program focuses on improving productivity for working more efficiently through learning the productivity tools, blocks, parametric drawing, and advanced layouts through lessons on how to create and organize blocks using templates, layouts, and styles. Finally, with the advanced section of this course, students will learn about text objects, tables, blocks, and attributes for customizing the user interface.
Engineers and designers can enroll with Certstaffix Training to take the live online AutoCAD—Advanced Course for training in advanced-level techniques for learning the computer-aided design software. Training for this course focuses on creating 3D models, output and publishing, and CAD standards. Lessons include completing a solid model design as well as converting 2D objects into 3D objects. Upon completing this course, students will possess a thorough understanding of AutoCAD standards and procedures that can be combined with experience for working with other design applications to eventually pass an Autodesk AutoCAD certification exam.
People living in Baltimore can enroll for live online courses at NYIM Training such as Beginner AutoCAD. This course will introduce new learners to AutoCAD. Lessons will focus on learning basic drawing and modifying techniques with drafting and technical drawing using AutoCAD for creating designs for constructing physical and architectural objects. This is a PC-only course and may not be appropriate for Mac users. This course offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.
Students who want to learn AutoCAD can enroll at Ledet Training for the live online AutodeskAutoCAD 101—Beginner training course. This program will train students on simple functions and features for using AutoCAD that includes techniques for creating and editing basic drawings for getting comfortable with the computer-aided design software. Lessons cover increasing efficiency with automation aspects of workflows for improving processing with AutoCAD in a variety of capacities. Training begins with learning basic procedures for enabling users to create and edit drawings. Through this course, students will learn skills for handling specialized drawing tools. Upon completing this course, students will know how to use AutoCAD for working with drawing aids, object snaps, ortho and polar training, and grids as well as understanding automated CAD standards.
Anyone living in Baltimore who is considering picking up skills in AutoCAD can enroll for live online training through NYIM Training with the AutoCAD in a Day workshop. This course introduces students to AutoCAD through lessons that cover basic drawing and modifying techniques with drafting and technical drawing using AutoCAD for creating designs that can be used for building physical objects with mechanical and architectural projects. This is a beginner-friendly course geared towards people who have no prior experience with CAD. This is a PC-only course that may not be appropriate for Mac users. This workshop offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as the opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.
Noble Desktop offers the AutoCAD Certification Program. This comprehensive certificate program provides you with training ranging from beginner to advanced levels for learning the computer-aided design software with the goal of passing the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting exam that includes free retakes. Your training will begin with learning basic drawing and editing commands before building on that knowledge to move on to learning higher-level techniques with using collaboration tools, customizing, and macros. Upon completing this program, you will have gained advanced skills with AutoCAD for being able to attempt the certification exam. And while this course has been designed for PC users, Mac users may also enroll but must be aware that the Mac AutoCAD interface differs from the PC interface, which is the format used with training. This 54-hour comprehensive training program includes six-hours of private tutoring. This course offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of calls as well an opportunity to retake the program for free within one year.
Self-guided AutoCAD Programs
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.
AutoCAD Corporate Training
If you would like to make sure that your employees stay on top of cutting-edge technology, Noble Desktop offers a variety of corporate training programs through onsite and live online options. Because AutoCAD is the leading computer-aided design software used in various industries, it may be worthwhile to train your staff for skills in drafting, blueprints, and working with 2D and 3D design, especially if your business involves manufacturing, engineering, or architecture. Noble Desktop can help you with upskilling your workforce through Corporate AutoCAD Training. This means that you can either have training conducted at your location or live online through a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Your company also has the option to purchase vouchers for Noble Desktop’s public enrollment AutoCAD courses.
So, if you're looking to enhance your organization’s skills with CAD, contact Noble Desktop for more information at corporate@nobledesktop.com or to request a free consultation.