AutoCAD Fundamentals Fast-Track Program
Learn the core skills of AutoCAD and develop a strong foundation in 2D design. This fast-track program will help you create essential construction documents, from floor plans to detailed drafting symbols.
Learn the core skills of AutoCAD and develop a strong foundation in 2D design. This fast-track program will help you create essential construction documents, from floor plans to detailed drafting symbols.
This program will introduce you to the basics of using AutoCAD for Computer-Aided Design (CAD). You will start at the very beginning. Create drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, a floor plan and bring everything together on a deliverable sheet which is printed. You will also create an abbreviated set of construction documents - a floor plan, roof plan, structural foundation plan, electrical plan and building elevations. Learn about paper/model space. Create deliverable sheet files.
Unit 1 30 Hours
Learn AutoCAD online from the very beginning, drawing drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and then a floor plan. We assemble everything into one deliverable sheet file. In this Introduction to AutoCAD class, become familiar with the AutoCAD user interface and basic AutoCAD commands, including Drawing, Modifying, Layering Standards, Text, Dimensioning and Plotting. You will draw a floor plan for a small Habitat for Humanity residential project, starting at the very beginning. You will be provided source AutoCAD files, which you will use to start your project.
Unit 2 30 Hours
In this course, you will draft an abbreviated set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and building elevations. Create and insert blocks, externally reference files, and determine the appropriate times to use these commands to optimize project workflow. Create, insert, and link drawings. You will learn the best workflow. This course reinforces basic understanding of AutoCAD and develops experience in more advanced applications. Topics include file referencing across the project data, user coordinate systems, dynamic viewing, and paper/model space conventions. Advanced AutoCAD commands and drafting conventions are heavily stressed in this online AutoCAD course.
From our immersive, hands-on training and world-class instructors to our meticulously crafted curriculum, we consistently deliver results that our alumni proudly endorse.
it was an awesome journey!
Rahul Gangakhed
I have gained some knowledge in AutoCAD drafting which I wish to employ after graduation to give me a slight edge.
Brian Anzo Amegovu
it was an awesome journey!
Rahul Gangakhed
I have gained some knowledge in AutoCAD drafting which I wish to employ after graduation to give me a slight edge.
Brian Anzo Amegovu
I really enjoyed the self paced schedule! This course provided the baseline understanding of AutoCAD for me to get into design assistant work.
The course was very informative and I learned a lot. The academic advisor and my instructor were very understanding and helpful. I can say that I know the program!
This course helped me take my AutoCAD skills to the next level. The progression of lessons made sense, and the step-by-step video instruction made even complex tasks approachable. I especially appreciated how the course emphasized real-world workflow—working across model space, paper space, and creating polished sheets. CAD 201 gave me the confidence to go from basic drafting to producing clean, professional-looking elevation sheets. I learned how to manage layers, blocks, dimensions, and layout views more efficiently. The hands-on projects helped reinforce everything, and the instructor did a great job of breaking down each step. This course has been a major milestone in my CAD learning journey.
As someone with a full schedule and a strong interest in architecture, this course was a great addition to my weekly routine. The structure made it easy to follow and fit into my existing workload, and I appreciated how hands-on and applicable each lesson was. It felt both practical and inspiring. This course gave me the confidence to use AutoCAD from an architectural perspective. Even as a beginner, the clear instruction and logical progression made learning enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone balancing a busy schedule but wanting real progress in design!
I really enjoyed this course. It helped me to get back into the AutoCAD workflow after being out of it for some time. The videos were very well made and helped me to pass this course with ease. This is a great course to partake in if you are looking to get into the field of AutoCAD. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in this field of work as a starting point!
The course was well planned and helped me build my resume with the proper knowledge and skills needed for the entry level jobs.
Amazing experience with VDCI! I have never touched AutoCAD before I started my class with VDCI and I was so nervous. My current job was allowing me to get a promotion to the CAD department pending how I did in this class. I had the class during COVID when all employees worked from home so that added to my nervousness because I wouldn’t have anyone there to ask for help with anything. But the instructor was very informative, everything was hands on, you could rewatch the lessons until you got the hang of it. Very user friendly. After passing this course and learning so much in a short amount of time, I was granted a promotion to the CAD department along with a raise, and I enjoy all I have been able to accomplish since then! This course made me fall in love with my job.
The instructor clearly explained how the program worked and I really enjoyed making the layout in AutoCAD which is a process I’ve always been interested in. After taking the class I was able to move into a role at work that I had been striving for years to get.
Great knowledge. It is a must for anyone from any background. An essential tool for the rest of your life. I am a general contractor. While I was taking the course, I used the knowledge to make a plan for repairs of a 4000 sqft property. I had the building engineer, who was hired by the owner to look at it. He reviewed did some minor correction and put his seal on it and it got approved. Thanks to VDCI’s AutoCAD course. Highly recommend it.
Loved taking the course and I did learn a lot!
Good course! Instructor was great, knows his stuff.
This course was very helpful in building foundational skills in AutoCAD which are directly relevant to my current and future work in design and drafting. It gave me practical tool I can apply right away! Additionally, John O'Malley was a great instructor!
Very well designed course! In about a week of working on this, I feel confident to use AutoCAD for most of the things I was hoping to apply it to.
The course was good!
This course was great! The gentlemen doing the video's spoke very clearly and was excellent at explaining what was happening.
I rate this course a 5 out of 5. I enjoyed the step-by-step guidance on drawing the architectural elements to simplify the work as it progressed into a more complete set of drawings. The training has improved my standing in the company, showing I am willing to keep their skillset current with the everchanging CAD functionality.
The videos were great and easy to follow. They had a great deal of information.
I really enjoyed the online, hands on, in depth lessons that taught me how to use CAD. Thanks to VDCI, I’m working full-time designing fire protection systems! It’s a dream come true. Thanks to you my future looks brighter than ever!
I appreciated the responsiveness of my professor! This training gave me the ability to move into a new role and advance my career on a trajectory that is unimaginable.
I have gained some knowledge in AutoCAD drafting which I wish to employ after graduation to give me a slight edge.
This course is concise and effective at demonstrating the modularity of the AutoCAD software.
After taking this course, I feel confident that I have a pretty good understanding of AutoCAD. MY instructor was also really great!
I enjoyed how thorough the instructors were with the videos.
I really learnt a lot in the course. Thank you for your help!
Very well taught. I am so glad this is taught from an architects perspective. The lessons are simple but thorough. I am also happy that the instructor repeats things and doesn't assume they were learned the first time. The instructor seemed happy to help every time I talked to him and knew what he was talking about.
Showing 25 of 44 reviews
If you prefer to pay your tuition over time, we have payment options to meet your needs. Finance your education through an installment plan. We also assist with documentation should your employer offer tuition reimbursement.
Item | Price | Description |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $1,200 | Prorated upon withdrawal. Refer to refund provision within the catalog. |
Registration Fee | $150 | Nonrefundable. Not included in the Tuition. Billed separately from Tuition. |
Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee | $0 | Nonrefundable ($0.00 for every $1,000 rounded to the nearest $1,000). Applies to California residents only. |
Amount Due for the Entire Program | $1,350 | The amount due to complete the program. |
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Refined over many years for an optimal learning experience
This course has clear expectations. The gradual building upon lessons was well thought out and organized. The instructor had great communication and quickly responded to messages.
- Melissa Haugland
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Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.
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We want you to leverage the skills you’ll learn. In addition to 60 hours of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll receive one live 1-on-1 training session where you can:
Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!
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Learn practical skills by working on real projects with instructor guidance and lectures to strengthen and improve your skill.
Draft a set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including floor plans, roof plans, foundation plans, electrical plans, and building elevations, while learning advanced AutoCAD commands.
Draw a floor plan for a small Habitat for Humanity residential project, starting at the very beginning.
Draft a set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including floor plans, roof plans, foundation plans, electrical plans, and building elevations, while learning advanced AutoCAD commands.
Draw a floor plan for a small Habitat for Humanity residential project, starting at the very beginning.
Yes, this course is open to beginners. Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required.
Yes, this course is eligible for our installment plan.
Learn more in the Tuition section above.
This program is available for 60 days.
You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 60 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.
For this series of 2 courses, you are entitled to a 90% refund (your payment less the nonrefundable 10% registration fee) within 30 days of purchase for any course in the bundle that you have not accessed.
There are no hidden fees or taxes for our courses. This course requires non-refundable registration fee of $150. The price you see on this page, $1,350, is the maximum you’ll pay us.
This program is a discounted package of classes that is 15–25% off the individual class prices, so additional discounts do not apply.
The AutoCAD Fundamentals Fast-Track Program provides comprehensive training in AutoCAD, the industry standard for creating construction documents. You’ll start from the basics and progress to advanced drafting techniques, equipping you with the skills to create floor plans, kitchen and bath fixtures, and construction document deliverables.
Each installment is charged to your card on file every 30 days or before you begin your next class.
Installments | List Price | |
---|---|---|
$135.00 | 10% non-refundable deposit | -- |
$579.00 | Intro to AutoCAD Course Online | $579 |
$579.00 | Intermediate AutoCAD Course Online | $579 |
$1,350.00 | Total You Pay |
See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.
Instructor
John O’Malley is a Registered Architect based in San Diego with over a decade of experience delivering projects across many different sectors. He leads multidisciplinary teams through all phases of design and construction.
Known for his technical expertise and leadership in project delivery, John holds a California architecture license, is LEED AP BD+C certified, and is an Autodesk Certified Instructor. He is also dedicated to supporting future design professionals through his volunteer work with the ACE Mentor Program.
Instructor
David, the Chief Academic Officer, has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire.
Credentials:
Instructor
John has been working in the Multimedia World for more than 15 years but has had an interest in it ever since he was a child. He moved to San Diego to attend the University of California, San Diego, and upon graduating, decided to stick around “because of the weather.” He joined the VDCI Team in 2019 and has since come to appreciate a multitude of VDC Software.
Instructor
David is the AEC Software Specialist at VDCI, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Associate’s degree of science in Drafting and General Design from ITT Technical Institute. A San Diego native with over 12 years working in the Design Industry and construction industry, David brings his construction and design expertise to help all students achieve their goals in the field. Outside of his professional life, David loves attending concerts, festivals, playing his guitar and restoring and repairing all types of vehicles.
Credentials: