Best AutoCAD Classes in Chicago

What is AutoCAD?

AutoDesk’s AutoCAD is a computer-assisted design (CAD) software tool developed in 1982 for IBM and CP/M computers. As one of the first commercially available CAD software tools released for personal computers, it broke ground in design accessibility. After its DOS release, it came out on Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms. The most recent version, AutoCAD 2025, features multiple updates and 14 different languages.

Primarily used to craft drafting documents, such as blueprints, floorplans, electrical charts, and more, AutoCAD also syncs easily with other related software. For example, Advance Steel, Architecture, Map 3D, Mechanical, MEP, Plant 3D, and Civil 3D software stacks vertically with AutoCAD to offer even more uses. Chicago designers, contractors, and architects interested in mastering this tool have many training options that may work well for their educational needs.

Chicago AutoCAD Classes

Chicago residents serious about AutoCAD certification are in luck because the Second City offers many high-quality training programs on this and other related subjects. Available in-person and online, these educational sessions will enhance a student’s abilities and make it easier for them to transition into a rewarding and exciting career in design and contracting.

Learn AutoCAD

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

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VDCI

VDCI is a trusted and acclaimed construction and contracting training team that offers high-quality courses using an online, self-directed model. Their classes include benefits like hands-on instruction, project-based learning, 1-on-1 bonus training, a graded final project, and access to skilled professionals who can answer questions and help learners feel satisfied.

AutoCAD Fundamentals Course Bundle

AutoCAD Fundamentals Course Bundle costs $1,060 and lasts around 15 weeks or 60 clock hours. Students will learn basic AutoCAD concepts, like handling the user interface correctly. Then, they’ll progress to more complex and advanced topics, like creating floor plans, managing block creation, and producing detailed designs to satisfy even the most demanding customers.

Introduction to AutoCAD

Introduction to AutoCAD is a 30-hour course that covers AutoCAD basics to help learners lay the foundations for their success. Lasting about three weeks, this program takes students on a journey from basic UI understanding to laying out a floor plan for a Habitat for Humanity residential project. When done, they’ll have a portfolio of work to show off their skills.

City Colleges of Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago is a respected career school with multiple institutions (Harold Washington, Harry S Truman, Olive-Harvey, Malcolm X, Kennedy-King, Richard J. Daley, and Wilbur Wright) spread through the metropolitan area. With in-person and virtual training opportunities available for learners, residents should easily find a class that suits them.

Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Technology, Basic Certificate

Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Technology, Basic Certificate is a four-semester associate degree program with multiple classes, including CAD Technology I, Course Algebra, Engineering & Industrial Technologies CWE, and other related sessions. When completed, learners will have a degree they can use when applying for bachelor's programs or even jobs.

What Can You Do with AutoCAD Training?

While most people who learn AutoCAD in Chicago move on to construction, design, or contracting careers, others use it for personal reasons. After all, some students might already have great jobs and simply want to expand their skill set in fun ways. AutoCAD’s power, adaptability, and surprisingly affordable price make it an excellent tool for passion projects of all types. Just a few ways people can use AutoCAD training after their bootcamp include:

• Improve a Resume: Designers or anyone who wants to sharpen their resume can add their AutoCAD training certificate to their skills section. Putting it here not only looks great but can potentially break past AI resume filters and make someone stand out.

• Design Renovations: While homeowners without expert design skills might not feel comfortable planning a complete project in AutoCAD, they can sketch out some basic concepts, get material ideas, add textures to their designs, and budget the process.

• Print Cool 3D Projects: The increasing affordability of 3D printers makes it easier than ever for amateurs to create fun, realistic projects themselves. In fact, they can upload AutoCAD designs into most 3D printers to create fantastic and exciting items.

• Make Video Games: AutoCAD’s powerful tools make it easier for amateur video game producers to design levels, sketch characters, produce backgrounds, and make crude animations. They can then adapt results to programs like Illustrator and Photoshop.

What Will I Learn in an AutoCAD Class?

Anyone studying AutoCAD in Chicago will learn many unique skills and concepts that will expand their knowledge and solidify their expertise. These include how to use the program itself, as well as important design and layout theories and practical steps that give them the professional skills they need to use AutoCAD regularly. Just a few things they’ll learn include:

• Engineering and Design: Mastering 2D and 3D principles in contracting and design can ensure that AutoCAD experts use this software correctly. For example, understanding load-bearing designs and floorplan symbols can ensure they create blueprints correctly.
• Geometry: Understanding two-dimensional and three-dimensional geography, such as squares, cubes, area, and volume, can help learners use AutoCAD effectively when creating detailed, practical, and high-quality floorplans and blueprints for projects. 
• Various Software Tools: Users will focus primarily on mastering AutoCAD but may also study SketchUp and other related tools. Knowing these programs can ensure that they can easily use them if their job prefers them (rare, as AutoCAD is popular but possible).
• Related Tech Skills: Most AutoCAD courses will cover blueprint reading and printing at various depth levels. Learners might also study C++ and MATLAB, as these tools help them create more attractive and high-quality blueprints and floorplans.
• Problem-Solving: Designing anything in AutoCAD requires strong problem-solving and creativity. For example, odd design problems related to unique and complex building floorplans may require highly focused analysis and expert-level problem-solving skills.

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn AutoCAD?

Chicago residents fascinated by AutoCAD and other similar design software must choose carefully between in-person and online learning options. Each uses slightly different approaches to offer a great educational experience. For instance, in-person programs require physical attendance but also provide computers and AutoCAD software for students. They also get 1-on-1 support, network-building opportunities with their peers, and portfolio-building assistance. 

Live online courses emulate this approach by running in real-time using streaming internet-based video. Rather than watching lessons by themselves, students receive direct support from a teacher. They also meet new people, build study groups, create projects, and sharpen their skills, all from the comfort of their homes. In fact, they can sign up for schools in vastly different parts of the country and still receive a great educational experience. 

By contrast, on-demand courses offer asynchronous learning suites with video sessions, hands-on exercises, in-depth quizzes, and work portfolios that help learners solidify their skills. In these programs, they can take lessons at whatever speed makes sense for them. Many will take their time and study everything very carefully, while others move through them quickly and absorb information through regular exercise, axe-sharpening exercises, and intensive projects. 

Similarly, self-directed programs offer multiple videos and exercises students can use to master AutoCAD, including real-world projects that emulate actual CAD designs! However, they get a teacher or mentor to work with throughout the course. These experts can correct student mistakes, provide insights, and ensure that learners walk away from their experience ready to use AutoCAD professionally. Some even offer forum-based interaction between fellow students.

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

Before signing up for any classes, serious Chicago students must weigh their options carefully and decide which makes the most sense for them. The following program pros and cons illustrate these methods, their scope, and why some people may (or may not) prefer them:

• In-Person: In-person courses provide benefits like hands-on exercises, peer-building exercises, and materials offered by the institution itself. Downsides include a higher cost and potential safety issues driving through Chicago’s often intense downtown traffic.
• Live Online: Students receive intensive teacher support during these classes, including 1-on-1 mentoring. Some people may not appreciate these courses due to their higher expenses (compared to other online classes) and specific attendance schedules.
• On-Demand: Busy students often prefer this approach because they can study when they want and even finish their classes ahead of schedule by cramming. However, they get little to no teacher support, which may be challenging for some learners.
• Self-Directed: Similar to on-demand programs, these courses offer more teacher support, meaning students struggling with lessons have a better chance of mastering them. Negatively, these classes might cost a little more than on-demand sessions.

How Hard is it to Learn AutoCAD?

Mastering AutoCAD may challenge some learners, particularly those who’ve never used design software. Even skilled Chicago contractors may find it tricky if they’ve never touched SketchUp or similar tools. While AutoCAD’s interface is far more streamlined than it was in the past, understanding its more profound and advanced topics requires a lot of practice and hard work. Thankfully, the best Chicago AutoCAD training tools make this process more accessible.

What are the most challenging parts of learning AutoCAD?

People with little computer or design knowledge will struggle the most when learning AutoCAD. While this software remains relatively accessible in its essential functions, mastering it professionally will take time. For example, its multiple commands, options, tools, and applications may be dizzying initially and require much practice to master. Completing a bootcamp can help Chicago residents build the skills they need to understand AutoCAD fully.

How Long Does it Take to Learn AutoCAD?

Chicago learners trying to master AutoCAD might have a very busy life that requires carefully budgeting their time and energy. As a result, knowing how long it takes to learn AutoCAD is essential. Strictly speaking, it may take anywhere from a few months to a year to master this software, depending on a learner’s experience and innate talent. Thankfully, regular practice can speed up this process and help students walk away more confident in their skills.

Can I Learn AutoCAD Free Online?

While many training schools in Chicago offer free AutoCAD learning resources, such as seminars and YouTube videos, they are rarely comprehensive enough to cover a subject comprehensively. Instead, they’re useful more as an extra resource tool for finding answers to complex questions a class might not have covered. They’re helpful to keep around and tap into when needed, but real education should only come from a bootcamp or related course.

What Should I Learn Alongside AutoCAD?

Anyone in Chicago trying to learn AutoCAD should also study multiple related topics and skills to bolster their resume and walk away more confident in their abilities. These subjects help enrich a learner’s experience, make it easier to transition into higher education opportunities, and even find a fantastic job. Just a few topics that should be covered here include:

• Foundational design concepts for fields like contracting, aviation, and architecture
• 2D design theories to create floor plans, electrical plans, and other layouts
• 3D modeling tools to produce realistic and attractive looks for projects 
• Microsoft Office to help streamline communication and data gathering 
• Adobe software, like Illustrator and Photoshop, to finalize great work
• Revit, a BIM software that utilizes 2D, 3D, and 4D design programs

Industries that Use AutoCAD

While known in the past primarily for working-class industries, Chicago has transformed in recent years into a Midwest tech empire! Some of the biggest technology-based companies in the region operate in and around the city. These include contracting-related markets that need AutoCAD experts with years of experience, including such great fields as:

• Architecture: Chicago’s bustling architecture market includes multiple firms like GREC Architects, Searl Lamaster Howe Architects, FGP Atelier, Latent Design, and Goettsch Partners that need AutoCAD experts to produce detailed blueprints and floor plans. 
• Manufacturing: The Windy City’s blue-collar history thrives in manufacturing firms like FactoryFix, Phase3D, Rheaply, mHUB Chicago, and Volexion. These companies often need AutoCAD experts to plan their facility design or production processes properly.
• Aerospace and Aviation: Chicago is home to multiple aerospace and aviation firms, such as Boeing, Promus Ventures, Sigenics, Socian Technologies, and United Continental Holdings, all of which need AutoCAD experts to design their products.
• Biomedical and Biotechnology: In Chicago, biotechnology firms like Nucleai, BiomoeSense, Dimension Inx, SimBioSys, and Seurat Therapeutics might need AutoCAD experts to produce manufacturing equipment and other tools.

AutoCAD Job Titles and Salaries

Most AutoCAD-related jobs in Chicago focus on construction and contracting, though some might be available in the fashion, computer, or furniture industries. After all, Second City’s massive economy has more than enough room for any market. However, people learning AutoCAD are more likely like to find themselves pulled towards building-related careers like:

• CAD Drafter: As a CAD Drafter, experts will use AutoCAD and other tools to craft blueprints for buildings, machinery, and other products. Salaries average about $60,000 in the United States, with a high median of $76,000 in Washington, D.C.

• Construction Project Manager: A Construction Project Manager works through every stage of the building process and often uses AutoCAD and other tools to design projects. On average, they earn $94,000 in the US and about $107,000 in Chicago.

• Interior Designer: An Interior Designer uses software like AutoCAD to lay out high-quality styles for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and more. Expect average US salaries in this position of $68,000 and around $69,000 in the Chicagoland area.

• BIM Manager: Working as a BIM Manager includes overseeing multi-stage drafting projects from beginning to end, typically requiring AutoCAD mastery. BIM managers in Chicago earn an average of $83,000, with Los Angeles topping the list at $113,000.

AutoCAD Corporate Training

Chicago design companies that need high-quality bulk AutoCAD training for their entire team should seriously consider working with VDCI. This provider offers online education nationwide, including in the Windy City! Its live online model uses real-time professors, in-depth exercises, high-quality videos and exams, and other powerful tools to help learners sharpen their skills and walk away ready to use software like AutoCAD in their new careers. 

VDCI’s corporate sessions offer large class sizes, personalized training, and discounted bulk vouchers that help firms save money on their team’s educational needs. While in-person courses from VDCI aren’t available in Chicago, its online learning techniques are powerful enough to meet the requirements of any company! Managers serious about helping their crew master AutoCAD can email VDCI at partnerships@vdci.edu to get started right away.