Best AutoCAD Classes in Atlanta

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is an incredibly powerful and popular software used for creating detailed 2D and 3D designs. It’s used in tons of industries, like architecture, engineering, and construction, to make everything from blueprints to models. It was created by Autodesk in 1982 and changed the game by letting people design digitally instead of using paper and pencils. Over the years, AutoCAD has only become more advanced, and with new features that make it easier and more precise, AutoCAD shows no signs of losing prominence.

Today, AutoCAD is for more than just drawing up plans. It lets you create complex 3D models, simulations, and even some virtual testing. Whether you’re an Architect, Engineer, or Product Designer, AutoCAD is a nonnegotiable tool for making sure your designs are as accurate as possible. It’s all about making the process more efficient and accurate step-by-step.

Best AutoCAD Classes in Atlanta

In VDCI’s CAD Certificate Program, you will spend 280 total hours learning necessary skills for construction design and will learn to create, manage, and organize CAD drawings with precision. This opens doors to careers in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction. You’ll study industry practices and develop mastery in 2D drafting and technical design with AutoCAD. Through projects and practice, you’ll be able to apply the best practices for file organization, document creation, and project management. With the skills you acquire, you’ll recognize the importance of accuracy and standardization through the technical drawings. The course ends with a capstone project. You’ll earn a certificate of completion and other resources to help you truly succeed.

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• Create your own portfolio
• Free student software
• Learn at your convenience
• Authorized Autodesk training center

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Likewise, the CAD/BIM Certificate Program from VDCI is a part-time, ten-month course that allows you to learn at your own pace. In this certificate-granting program, you will explore AutoCAD for drafting construction documents and Revit to design 3D models and create 3D parametric families. Additionally, you’ll practice creating construction documents for commercial sites and learn to provide plan, section, and elevation views of the project for sheet layout. This certificate allows you to specialize in AutoCAD Construction Documents, Revit MEP, or Revit Structure so you can get the education you want to succeed in the field of your choice.

VDCI also offers an AutoCAD Certification Training Bundle, which focuses on providing students with the skills they need to complete the AutoCAD professional certification exam. This is a career-focused course that aims to help students get hands-on AutoCAD training and guided support through exercises that are modeled after the kinds of questions and tasks that they will need to pass when sitting for the exam. This is an ideal course for anyone looking to work with AutoCAD at a professional level and students will have the option to complete the exam as a part of their course tuition.

The AutoCAD Fundamentals Fast-Track Program provides students with foundational CAD skills, including drafting symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and floor plan creation. Through projects and activities, you will learn more complex skills like working on residential projects and understanding paper and model space. In particular, you will create and insert blocks, externally reference files, and determine the appropriate time to apply those skills. You’ll demonstrate file management, apply layer management skills, and create sheet layout sheet layout environments. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Noble Desktop also offers an AutoCAD Certification Program that takes students through three levels of advancement and provides six additional hours of private tutoring. In this program, you’ll learn what it takes to become certified in AutoCAD, including how to use the basic tools for drawing to more complex skills like incorporating blocks and attributes. The course comes with a free retake of the class within a year as well as proctoring for the Autodesk Certified Professional exam, which also comes with a free take. By the end of the course, you’ll feel like an AutoCAD pro and have the credentials to prove it.

They also offer an AutoCAD Bootcamp that covers basic drawing and editing commands, such as using text to annotate your drawing. You’ll also cover more advanced techniques like object types and layering techniques as well as working with tracking points and construction lines. In addition, you’ll learn how to create data tables, which are essential for keeping information organized and structured. By working through the projects and activities, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, and your confidence in using AutoCAD for projects both big and small will skyrocket.

What Can You Do with AutoCAD Training?

Once you’ve completed your AutoCAD training, you will have the skills to design projects of all kinds, whether it’s a detailed blueprint for a building, planning out infrastructure, or designing parts for machinery. AutoCAD is an industry-standard tool across all kinds of industries. For instance, Architects use it to map out floor plans and building layouts while Engineers use it to design precise components for machines and vehicles. No matter where you want to take your design skills, AutoCAD can help you achieve that goal.

It’s about more than just drafting -- AutoCAD can help you design landscaping, plan cities, and create interior layouts. You could work on designs for roads, bridges, and buildings or plan the layout of furniture as an interior design professional. It’s an incredibly versatile tool used for a variety of projects, so you’ll always have options and can explore new fields all the time.

Once you’re comfortable with AutoCAD, you can level up by pairing it with other software like Revit for 3D modeling. This lets you create realistic visualizations and create even more detailed projects. You can apply these skills to draft a new building, design a custom product, or plan large construction projects.

What Will I Learn in an AutoCAD Class?

In an AutoCAD class, you’ll typically explore several skills that enable you to create accurate 2D and 3D designs. In architecture, engineering, and construction, these skills are essential so you’ll likely spend the first portion of the class getting familiar with the interface and exploring basic drawing tools. Whether it’s drafting floor plans, designing mechanical parts, or planning out construction sites, you’ll build foundational skills to make your designs come to life.

It’s not all about drawing -- you will also learn how to keep your designs structured and organized. This means using layers, applying dimensions, and making sure everything is up to code and regulation. You will practice how to scale, plot, and print your designs so they’re ready for real-world use, whether that’s for a project or presentation. It’s all about making sure your work is clean, clear, and professional.

Beyond the technical skills, you will also improve your problem-solving and attention to detail skills. AutoCAD can get pretty detailed and the more you apply yourself to learning, the more you’ll be able to spot issues and inconsistencies. Plus, you can visualize your designs far more easily with these techniques and tools, which boosts your spatial reasoning. Overall, you’ll not only sharpen the way you design these projects but also how you’ll think about and approach these projects.

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn AutoCAD?

When you are starting out on your AutoCAD learning journey, you can choose from several kinds of training options. What works best for you truly depends on your preferences, schedule, and what kind of learning vibe you’re going for. If you are someone who likes a typical learning environment, an in-person class is a great choice. You will follow along with an instructor and other students through a structured curriculum and complete hands-on projects that give you practical experience. It’s an effective, hands-on approach to learning.

Next up are live online classes. If you can’t commute but still want that standard learning experience, this style offers the best of both worlds. An instructor will take you through the material and help you with any assignments you may need to complete. You can join from work, home, or anywhere you are comfortable. It’s convenient, interactive, and engaging.

In addition, those who like to learn at a pace suited to their needs can explore self-directed courses. These give you a mix of reading materials, videos, and activities that allow you to learn when you have time. You are learning the material solo but many training providers will give you resources through their websites to help you along with your studies.

Lastly, on-demand classes are the most flexible and hands-off. You can watch videos, read articles, and complete assignments whenever it suits you so there’s no set schedule. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare offer AutoCAD courses that are perfect for someone who needs the least rigid and structured option possible.

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

With any educational pursuit, you’ll want to consider several factors before deciding which training method is right for you. In-person training offers interaction and hands-on experience which makes it easy to pick up the skills. An instructor is also there to help you progress through the curriculum and you can network with others in the class. However, you need to be present for each class, which means having the time, transportation, and funds to attend. If you have a flexible schedule and live within a reasonable distance from the training center, an in-person course is a great option. This is especially true if you want to take your training from the classroom to the workplace.

Those who can’t attend an in-person class but still want structured, professional training can opt for a live online class. You can attend from anywhere with an internet connection without needing to leave the house. The classes are interactive and collaborative and you still follow course guidelines and timelines, which works for busy professionals who want to learn new skills. Still, you have to consider several factors. First, live online training gives you more options but you may have to consider time zones. Likewise, you’ll want to avoid technical issues that could potentially disrupt your experience. Although live online training is flexible, you still have to attend a class so your schedule has to be somewhat open.

Self-directed courses give you the option to pace yourself. You can access a mentor if you need clarification, but otherwise, the course is hands-off. This method is ideal for driven individuals who don’t need someone hovering over them to make sure they get their work done. On the other hand, this requires such a high level of discipline that it could be easy for even the most determined learner to fall off course. Plus, the limited interaction makes it a little less effective if that’s not your vibe. You might find that you spend more time on certain trickier topics and fall a little behind where you thought you would be.

Lastly, on-demand classes are incredibly flexible and offer a wide range of options, from beginner to advanced and short courses to certificates. They are cost-effective and allow you to revisit material as you wish, skip information that you feel is unnecessary, and study according to your comfort level. However, these classes lack interaction, so you can procrastinate or lose motivation as a result. Most importantly, consider the quality of the on-demand course you pick. Some providers have a wide variety of courses, but some are not aligned with current industry standards. Above all else, ensure the provider is reputable before choosing an on-demand course.

AutoCAD Job Titles and Salaries

CAD Designers use computer-aided design software to create technical drawings and 3D models of buildings, products, and machines. They ensure designs are accurate, functional, and ready for production. In Atlanta, CAD Designers typically earn 12% higher than the national average. Indeed states the average base salary is close to $77,000. However, the range depends greatly on expertise. Junior CAD Designers earn an average of $62,000 whereas Senior CAD Designers earn closer to $86,000.

An Architectural Designer creates designs for buildings and spaces alongside Architects. They develop concepts, plans, and 3D models to bring the project to life and consider all structural and environmental aspects. Indeed shares that the average base salary for an Architectural Designer in Atlanta is close to $69,000 with a broader expected salary range of $50,000 to $97,000.

Interior Designers plan and create welcoming, visually pleasing spaces inside buildings, often working closely with Architects or Contractors. They choose color schemes, furniture, materials, and layouts to enhance the feel and look of a space. They also consider sustainability, ergonomics, and client needs. Indeed indicates that Interior Designers earn roughly $69,000 but could work their way up to earning over $100,000.

AutoCAD Corporate Training

Companies are turning to corporate training now more than ever thanks to its effectiveness and personalization. For technical training in software like AutoCAD, having quality, hands-on training makes all the difference. Noble Desktop offers corporate training in AutoCAD and more, with flexible options to suit your team’s specific needs. Whether your employees need to brush up on basic drafting skills or want to learn more advanced techniques, the expert instructors at Noble Desktop will guide your team throughout the lessons and projects so everyone will be fully supported. Regardless of whether you need in-person or live online training, Noble Desktop will enable you to train and support your team.

If your organization would like to train multiple teams or employees at once, consider purchasing bulk vouchers for regular classes. These are offered at a discounted rate so your company can train its employees without falling out of budget. Noble Desktop can be reached at partnerships@vdci.edu. A helpful group of staff will be excited to discuss training options, prices, and delivery methods with you.