What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a computer-aided software design (CAD) program that is used to create and edit 2D and 3D models and drawings. It is a popular tool in many different design industries including architecture, engineering, product design, and interior design. AutoCAD’s automated features, specialized toolsets, and collaboration tools have made it extremely popular and it has millions of users worldwide. It can be utilized to create a wide variety of different types of designs, ranging from basic electrical plans to complete 3D skyscraper models. AutoCAD is owned by Autodesk and is available by subscription.
This application was first released in 1982 and was part of a revolution within the design industry. For the first time, computer-aided design was available on personal computers. This meant that designers no longer had to spend hours drawing everything by hand. Not only does AutoCAD save designers a lot of time, but it has increased accuracy and made revisions far easier. Today, AutoCAD is an industry-standard application in many fields. Autodesk continues to add new tools and features every year.
Why Learn AutoCAD?
AutoCAD knowledge is a foundational skill for many different types of design careers. It is not the only CAD program that professionals use, but it is one of the most popular. Designers use AutoCAD to create drawings that can be used to guide planning and construction, and they may also generate 3D models so that they can see what their designs will look like and analyze them for potential weaknesses. This application is used by Architects to create blueprints and models. It is also used by Engineers, to create plans of designs or parts of design, and by Industrial Designers, who design things like automobiles and machinery. Other professionals who use AutoCAD include Interior Designers and Fashion Designers.
Learn AutoCAD
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One reason AutoCAD is so popular is that it provides many different tools and features. For example, it has industry-specific toolsets like an Electrical toolset, an Architecture toolset, and a Mechanical toolset. Autodesk reports that these toolsets can increase productivity significantly. For example, it finds that the Architecture toolset is associated with a 61 percent increase in productivity, the Mechanical toolset with a 55 percent increase, and the Electrical toolset with a 95 percent increase. Overall, Autodesk says that according to seven different studies it conducted on AutoCAD toolsets, there was an average productivity increase of 63 percent when a toolset was used.
There are many other benefits associated with using AutoCAD. One is that you can see what your finished product will look like before you actually build it. This means that you can analyze it to make sure that it works as planned and to find any flaws or weaknesses. You can then make changes to your design before you invest a lot of time and money in making it. AutoCAD also makes collaboration easy for design teams. Users can create, edit, and share drawings on any mobile device or in a web browser. Finally, AutoCAD remains competitive because it is continually updated with new features. For example, new features for 2024 included something called floating windows, where drawing windows can be displayed side by side or on multiple monitors.
Industries Where AutoCAD is Used
Architecture
AutoCAD is a common tool in the field of architecture. Architecture involves the design and construction of buildings, from conception to completion. AutoCAD makes it possible to create detailed renderings of an architectural project, including dimensions and the materials to be used. Renderings also include elements like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. In addition, AutoCAD can be used to create visualizations that show what the completed project will look like. All of this information allows everyone involved in the project to understand what needs to be done, stay on track, and collaborate easily.
Engineering
The field of engineering includes many different specialties such as mechanical, civil, industrial, electrical, and electronics engineering. Engineers use AutoCAD to create detailed plans for a variety of different types of engineering projects. They also use AutoCAD to analyse their designs. For instance, they might simulate a stress test or a load-bearing test, or use an AutoCAD visualization to look for potential problems in their design.
Automotive and Aerospace
AutoCAD is also used to design automobiles and aircraft. Not only does this application allow designers and other team members to create a detailed set of plans to work from when they build these items, but it lets them visualize and analyze designs before they are built. For instance, with cars, AutoCAD can be used to get a better feel for how a car will look and drive. It can also be used to analyze safety features or figure out how to improve aerodynamics. When teams actually start building these items they can use AutoCAD plans to make sure they are all on the same page in terms of what needs to be done and how to do it.
Interior Design
Interior design is an industry that involves creating indoor spaces that are functional, safe, and pleasing to look at. AutoCAD can be used to create models of many different types of rooms, showcasing the layout and all of the fittings and furnishings that will be used. It allows both designers and clients to get a better understanding of what the finished room will look like, and as a result it is a common tool within the interior design industry. With AutoCAD, changes to designs can easily be made and analyzed too, and designers can manipulate layout and elements to come up with the best possible design.
Product Design
AutoCAD is also used in the design and manufacturing of a variety of different products. Designers can create 2D and 3D models and simulate real-world use of the product to test for usability and potential weaknesses. When the design is complete, they can create technical drawings and documentation to guide the manufacturing process.
Common AutoCAD Job Titles
Architect
Architects design buildings and oversee their construction. They prepare building plans, work with clients, and coordinate with construction teams. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that jobs in this field will grow by 8 percent over the next ten years, which is faster than average. It expects about 8,500 job openings each year. It says, “Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs, particularly in sustainable design, for the construction and renovation of homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other structures.” The median salary for an Architect is $93,000 per year, according to the BLS.
Drafter
Drafters convert the designs made by Architects and Engineers into technical plans and drawings, using applications like AutoCAD. They often specialize in a specific type of drafting such as architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical. According to the BLS, the most common type of drafting job is in architectural and civil drafting, followed by mechanical drafting, then electrical and electronics drafting. It notes that drafting jobs are likely to decrease in the future as a result of the accessibility of programs like AutoCAD, explaining, “These technologies increase drafter productivity and allow engineers and architects to perform many tasks that used to be done by drafters.” the BLS reports that the median pay for a Drafter is about $62,000 per year.
Engineer
Engineers work in many different industries. They utilize math, science, and technology to design, develop, and maintain a variety of different systems and structures. Engineering specializations include mechanical, civil, industrial, electrical, and electronics. the BLS predicts that over the next decade, electrical and electronics engineering jobs will grow by 9 percent. It notes, “These engineers are expected to have key roles in developing sophisticated consumer electronics, solar arrays, semiconductors, and communications technologies.” Civil engineering jobs are anticipated to grow by 6 percent, with the BLS explaining, “With continued investment in U.S. infrastructure, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society's need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures.” The median salary for Civil Engineers is $95,000 yearly, and for Electrical and Electronics Engineers it is $109,000. Mechanical Engineers earn about $99,000, and Industrial Engineers also earn about $99,000.
Interior Designer
Interior Designers create interior spaces that are both functional and pleasing. They work with many different elements including space, lighting, colors, and materials. the BLS predicts job growth of 4 percent in the field of interior design over the next ten years, with about 8,800 job openings each year. It notes, “As the demand for renovation projects increases, homeowners and companies are expected to need services provided by interior designers to help create safe and functional spaces. A greater focus on building codes, as well as the need to design spaces that meet accessibility standards, may also help to create jobs for these workers.”
Product Designer
Product Designers oversee the design of various different types of products, from start to finish. They use AutoCAD to create detailed models and renderings of designs, and also to test designs for functionality. According to Glassdoor, the average U.S. salary for a Product Designer is $101,000.
How to Learn AutoCAD
If you want to learn AutoCAD, you’ll find a number of different class options. In-person courses are the traditional way to learn a new skill, and they remain popular. When you take an in-person class, you learn while inside a classroom, as part of a group of students. You have a live instructor and you can easily interact with both the instructor and other students. Many people find this to be the most engaging format, and they like that it provides opportunities for networking. In addition, some instructors say that with in-person learning, it can be easier to see when students need additional help. Another advantage of in-person learning is that you’re in a space dedicated to learning, with minimal distractions. However, there are also downsides to this format. One of the biggest is that you have to commute to class, which can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and expensive. Additionally, you’re limited to classes that run in your immediate vicinity.
In recent years, live online classes have become increasingly popular as an alternative to in-person learning. These are similar to in-person classes, with real-time instruction and the opportunity to interact with your instructor and classmates. However, rather than commuting to class, you attend a live online class by logging in on your computer. Live online classes allow more learning flexibility and they also give you access to a greater number of class options. Additionally, since people can attend from all over the country, you may find that your class group is more diverse. A downside is that you have to supply your own equipment and software. You’ll also have to solve any technical difficulties that may arise.
Another learning option is an on-demand class. Unlike in-person and live online classes, on-demand classes are asynchronous, meaning that there is no live instructor. Instead, the material is pre-recorded and you work through it at your own pace. On-demand learning offers the most flexibility; you can stop and start whenever you need to, and you can even rewind or fast-forward the content as necessary. However, one of its biggest downsides is the lack of live instruction, which means you can’t get immediate feedback or answers to your questions. Since there is no live instructor, on-demand classes are usually the cheapest class format.
Self-paced classes are another type of asynchronous learning option. These are similar to on-demand classes in that you have the freedom to log in whenever you want and work through the material at your own pace, however, they come with more instructor support. For instance, you’ll get regular advice and feedback on your work. In many cases, you’ll also interact with classmates in discussion forums. A downside to self-paced classes is that since you have so much control over your learning, you need to have a higher level of motivation and be good at working by yourself. Additionally, depending on where you learn from, you may face more distractions.
Learn AutoCAD with Self-Paced VDCI Courses
The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers a variety of AutoCAD training options. This school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Its online, self-paced classes allow you to create your own learning schedule and include software access while you’re taking the course. You’ll also be able to get advice and feedback on your submissions and projects, and interact with peers in discussion forums. VDCI classes are approved by Autodesk.
If you want to get to cover the basics and get to an intermediate level of mastery, the AutoCAD Fundamentals Course Bundle is a great option. This is a multi-week course that starts with beginner skills like understanding the user interface and basic commands, including drawing, modifying, layering standards, text, dimensioning, and plotting. You’ll create drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and a floor plan, and will integrate all of the information. After that, you’ll learn more advanced topics including file referencing across the project data, user coordinate systems, dynamic viewing, and paper/model space conventions. You’ll create a set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including the floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, electrical plan, and building elevations. This bundle comes with a bonus live one-on-one training session.
Another option is the CAD Certificate Program. This program takes multiple months to complete. It includes six AutoCAD units which cover basic and intermediate Auto CAD skills as well as detailing, project management, and construction document skills. In addition, you’ll take elective courses and can choose to add a specialization in Revit, Civil 3D, or SketchUp Pro. Finally, there is a capstone project. This program comes with six live one-on-one mentoring sessions and job placement assistance.
There is also a CAD/BIM Certificate Program which is designed to prepare you to use AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM in a career in the construction industry. You’ll take classes in AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM and will learn to utilize best practices, use industry-standard workflows, and create professional construction documents. You can also choose elective courses and you’ll work on a capstone project, where you can apply your skills in a real-work project. This course comes with eight live one-on-one mentoring sessions.
If you want to earn an AutoCAD certification, VDCI offers an AutoCAD Certification Training Bundle. In this course, you’ll learn the skills needed to use AutoCAD in the construction industry. In addition, you’ll prepare for the Autodesk CAD certification. The bundle includes a voucher for the exam, and a free exam retake. It also comes with a live one-on-one training session.
Finally, VDCI also offers shorter AutoCAD classes. For instance, In AutoCAD Construction Documents I and AutoCAD Construction Documents II, you’ll develop a complete set of construction documents for a residential project. You’ll draft a floor plan, multi-scale enlarged plans, roof plan, and elevations. You’ll also create a titleblock from scratch, modify details, create a metes and bounds site plan drawing, work on a cover sheet, and import images and notes.