Discover how AutoCAD, one of the most widely used computer-aided design software, can be your start to a career in many in-demand industries, from design and manufacturing to architecture. Learn about the different types of AutoCAD training available, and how the skills acquired can also be applied to personal projects and small businesses.
Key Insights:
- AutoCAD is a computer-aided design software that allows users to create detailed technical drawings and 3D models. It has industry-specific toolsets for different sectors within the AEC industry.
- Professionals use AutoCAD to generate blueprints and construction plans, arrange interior layouts of spaces, and collaborate with team members. It's also popular among hobbyists for 3D printing models.
- An introductory AutoCAD class will cover the software interface, basic drawing toolsets, generating floor plans and building elevations, automating tasks, and customizing features.
- Acquiring AutoCAD skills can enhance attention to detail and communication skills as it involves accurate drafting and sharing design ideas with various stakeholders.
- AutoCAD training is available in various formats, including in-person, live online, self-directed, and on-demand. The choice depends on factors like curriculum, cost, schedule, learning preference, and personal convenience.
- Online learning is an accessible alternative to in-person training, offering convenience and flexibility, particularly for those with full-time jobs or busy schedules. Live online training is the most similar to in-person training, offering hands-on, instructor-led training and student interaction.
What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is one of the most widely used computer aided design (CAD) software programs. It allows users to create detailed technical drawings of buildings, structures, and objects for construction or manufacturing. Not only is AutoCAD standard 2D modeling software, but users can also use it to create 3D models, generate construction documents, and collaborate with team members. This software also has industry-specific toolsets for those working in different sectors of the AEC industry.
Autodesk started developing its CAD software in the 1970s, at a time when most drafting was still done by hand. AutoCAD would be released in 1982, and it quickly came to dominate the CAD market. Today, AutoCAD is industry-standard in design, manufacturing, the AEC industry, and other industries that require detailed floor plans, technical drawings, or modeling software. Learning how to use AutoCAD can be the start to launching a thriving career in many in-demand industries.
AutoCAD Classes in Miami
The Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) is a nationally accredited educational institution that provides top-rated AutoCAD courses. VDCI’s accreditation ensures that their courses meet national education standards for quality and rigor, and VDCI has a track record of helping their alumni secure jobs in their desired careers. All of VDCI’s classes are online, part-time, and self-directed so that learners can start them when convenient and learn at their own pace. Those enrolled in a training course through VDCI will have access to VDCI’s message boards for students and alumni and will receive mentorship and guidance from industry experts.
Learn AutoCAD
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
Career-oriented learners should consider a certificate program, which provides comprehensive training in the knowledge and technical skills necessary to pursue jobs in the AEC industry. VDCI offers two programs that combine AutoCAD training with industry-relevant skillsets. Their CAD Certificate Program will provide prospective and current AEC professionals with hands-on, expert training in AutoCAD and related software and technical skills. Students will receive access to 280 hours of project-based course materials, choose from industry-specific specializations in Revit Architecture, Civil 3D, or SketchUp Pro, and complete a graded capstone project to showcase their skill set. This certificate program comes with additional 1-on-1 mentoring, help with navigating the job market, and access to all required software. VDCI’s CAD/BIM Certificate Program is another option for career-oriented learners who want industry-specific proficiency in both AutoCAD and Revit.
Those who are not looking for a comprehensive program of study can consider the AutoCAD Fundamentals Course Bundle. This course bundles together an introductory and intermediate AutoCAD class and provides 60 hours of training that most complete in about 15 weeks. The fundamentals courses cover everything from basic drawing commands and generating construction documents for a residential project to more advanced skills like layer management. Like the certificate programs, you’ll receive access to required software and additional 1-on-1 AutoCAD training. VDCI also offers an AutoCAD Certification Training Bundle for those looking to take the Autodesk CAD certification exam.
Noble Desktop also offers AutoCAD classes for learners at all levels. Their 30-hour AutoCAD Bootcamp can be a great way for beginners to start learning AutoCAD fundamentals in a relatively short amount of time. Those looking for comprehensive training can enroll in the 48-hour AutoCAD Masterclass, which includes introductory to advanced training. Noble Desktop’s classes can be taken in-person at their NYC facility or live online from any location. Their AutoCAD classes are project-based, and students will be able to learn from a live instructor alongside other students learning the same topic.
If you’re looking for in-person training in Miami, you can learn AutoCAD from ONLC Training Centers. ONLC offers a variety of AutoCAD courses, from a basic course, AutoCAD for Novice Users, to introductory, intermediate, and advanced-level AutoCAD courses. Courses provide hands-on training from experts, and most classes are only two to three days in length, making them a good option for someone in Miami who wants to learn AutoCAD quickly. ONCL also offers online-only, on-demand courses in addition to these live, in-person options.
Ledet Training also offers both in-person and online AutoCAD classes. Ledet is based in Atlanta but has training centers in many cities in the US, including Fort Lauderdale. They offer AutoCAD classes for beginners and more advanced learners, as well as industry-specific options like Autodesk AutoCAD 210—Architecture Fundamentals. Their Autodesk AutoCAD 101—Beginner is a great place to start, as it aims to familiarize learners with simple drawing tools and tasks before introducing blocks, preparing layouts, and adding annotations and dimensions to drawings.
Another education provider to consider is Certstaffix Training. Certstaffix offers live online and self-directed AutoCAD training for both beginners and more advanced learners. Beginners can start with their three-day AutoCAD Essentials course, which covers navigating the user interface, creating simple shapes, and modifying objects, as well as methods to draw with precision and organize drawings. This course can serve as a prerequisite to their advanced AutoCAD course or course on 3D modeling in AutoCAD.
What Can You Do with AutoCAD Training?
AutoCAD is commonly used to draft 2D models of buildings, structures, or systems. Architects use this software to design and plan residential, commercial, and industrial buildings or structures. Engineers, by contrast, can use it to draw industry-specific systems and structures, like an electrical system or an HVAC system. Interior Designers can use AutoCAD to plan and organize the interior layout of a space and its furnishings, which will give clients an idea of how their designs will look when complete. Learning AutoCAD will also allow you to create 3D models, though many professionals use additional software like Revit or Civil 3D for their 3D modeling needs.
Professionals with AutoCAD training also use it to generate blueprints and construction plans. AutoCAD makes it easier to generate important construction documents that can be used to create material and labor lists and estimate costs in a project's pre-construction phase or that will become one’s guide and plan during the actual construction phase. AutoCAD also has features to collaborate with team members and other stakeholders, as well as manage projects through the entire construction process.
In addition to learning AutoCAD for your career, you can also use your AutoCAD skills for your own projects. Those looking to rearrange or reorganize their home furnishings can use AutoCAD to test out potential options and see how they will look. AutoCAD can also be used to create models for 3D printing, which is something that many do as a hobby or even to start their own small business selling their unique creations to others.
What Will I Learn in an AutoCAD Class?
Introductory AutoCAD classes will introduce learners to the software interface and basic drawing toolsets. You will learn how to draw and manipulate simple objects and geometric shapes before moving on to tackle creating real-world surfaces, structures, and fixtures. Introductory classes will also teach the basics of organizing your drawing using layers, inserting blocks, and adding in necessary information like dimensions and text.
Students can also expect to learn how to generate floor plans, building elevations, and other construction documents within AutoCAD. Depending on the class, you might be learning to generate blueprints for a residential or a commercial project or even both if the course is comprehensive. AutoCAD courses will also cover how to automate tasks using this software, how to use AutoCAD for collaboration, and how to customize some of AutoCAD’s features to make it more specific to your own needs.
Learning to use AutoCAD also enhances your attention to detail and communication skills. Since AutoCAD is technical drafting software, you will learn to be accurate in the drawings you make and even add dimension information into your plans. Additionally, learning to draft using AutoCAD helps you to bring your design ideas out of your head so they can be communicated to team members, clients, and other project stakeholders. AutoCAD can facilitate communication between different parties through the sharing of designs and feedback within the software.
What Kinds of Training Options Are Available to Learn AutoCAD?
In-Person
In-person AutoCAD training involves going to a training facility or classroom to attend regularly scheduled classes with other students. Learning in-person can mean individual attention from an expert instructor and the ability to use a facility’s technology or software subscriptions. Due to AutoCAD’s popularity, in-person classes can be found in many cities across the US and are frequently offered by community colleges or technical skills training providers.
Live Online
Like in-person training, live online training allows learners to attend regularly scheduled classes and learn directly from an expert instructor. The major difference is that live online classes are remote, and learners can attend classes from the convenience of their own home or another preferred location through a live video streaming platform, like Zoom. Live online classes are more likely to be scheduled with working professionals or other busy individuals in mind, so there are often part-time, weekend, or evening classes available with this training format.
Self-Directed
Self-directed courses are asynchronous online classes. This means that students will receive access to course materials, like video lectures, workbooks, quizzes, and projects, and will be able to move through these materials at their own pace. Rather than attending classes with other students or at a set time, students can start when they want. Self-directed courses will come with additional instructor guidance or mentorship and often include other forms of career support and ways to keep students engaged with the program of study.
On-Demand
On-demand courses are also asynchronous online classes that allow students to complete a course at their own speed. They are similar to self-directed courses, though on-demand courses rarely come with instructor guidance or mentorship. Instead, students usually teach themselves the course material and are responsible for finding their own way through challenging content. These types of classes are often offered through large online providers like Udemy, Coursera, or Skillshare.
Choosing the Right Training Method for You
There are many factors to consider when determining which training method is best for your needs. These factors can include a course’s curriculum, cost, schedule, and format, as well as how you learn best. In-person training is still considered the best way to learn and retain knowledge. It allows students to focus on their learning and receive individualized attention from an instructor. This training format is not right for everyone, however, as in-person training can cost more than online options, and it is often difficult for working professionals or busy individuals to attend regularly scheduled in-person courses.
Online learning is a great alternative to in-person training. It is more convenient, as you can learn from home, and often more accessible to those with full-time jobs or packed schedules. Many of the same providers that offer in-person AutoCAD classes also offer online options and use similar curricula to ensure a quality education. Live online training is the online training format most similar to in-person training. That means it comes with the advantages of hands-on, instructor-led training and engaging with other students, as well as the disadvantages of cost and structured course schedules.
Asynchronous online courses are the best option for those too busy to attend any regularly scheduled courses, in-person or online. Both self-directed and on-demand courses allow learners to start a course when they want and learn entirely on their own schedule. Self-directed courses are best for career-oriented learners and those who thrive in more structured learning environments. On-demand classes are best for those who just want to learn the basics of a skill and are not looking for detailed, comprehensive skills training.
Online courses, overall, do come with some disadvantages. Some learners find it difficult to remain engaged and focused while learning remotely. Additionally, on-demand classes can vary widely in quality and will not provide the professional skill development someone needs to launch their career. That being said, there are strategies one can take to overcome the challenges of online learning, and both live online and self-directed courses will offer ways to engage with an instructor or mentor as well as other students or program alumni.
How Hard is It to Learn AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is not considered difficult to learn. Usually, the only prerequisite to learning this software program is basic knowledge of using a computer. AutoCAD’s interface is somewhat intuitive, and most find that it is relatively easy to get started using this program for drafting. Within a few hours, you can become comfortable creating simple shapes, and most can gain proficiency within one to three months. It will be easier to learn AutoCAD if you have some knowledge of technical drawing and how this skill is central to design and construction-focused industries.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning AutoCAD?
As long as you have a basic knowledge of computers, you should be able to learn the basics of AutoCAD without too much difficulty. The main challenge will be learning to use this drafting software for real-world projects within your own field, as you’ll have to combine AutoCAD knowledge, design knowledge, and industry-specific regulations. AutoCAD is used by a variety of industries, so another difficulty some run into is the number of different tools, features, and ways to use AutoCAD. It can be challenging to master the specific toolsets you’ll need for your own field, and AutoCAD does update its software frequently, so you will need to stay on top of any updates.
How Long Does It Take to Learn AutoCAD?
How long it takes to learn AutoCAD can depend upon your experience with modeling, design, and CAD software, as well as how much time and effort you put into learning this specific software. On average, it takes about one to three months to become comfortable using AutoCAD regularly. This is enough time to learn basic to intermediate level technical drafting, as long as you’re willing to regularly practice your skills. It can take between three months and six months to become proficient enough to use AutoCAD professionally. Many suggest it takes years of on-the-job experience to master the software.
Can I Learn AutoCAD Free Online?
You can find a variety of free resources, including video tutorials, guides, seminars, and short courses, to learn the basics of AutoCAD for free. A good place to begin is looking through Noble Desktop’s free resources, including their YouTube channel and a comprehensive guide to get started learning AutoCAD. Autodesk also offers short tutorials for its software programs, including AutoCAD. Many find the video tutorials on YouTube to be another great resource for learning both basics and more industry-specific ways to use AutoCAD. Free resources can help you learn AutoCAD fundamentals or troubleshoot a specific issue in AutoCAD, but they are not a replacement for professional skill development, and it can be more challenging to learn AutoCAD for professional use from free resources alone.
What Should I Learn Alongside AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a great first software program to learn for those in manufacturing, design, or the AEC industry. Learning Revit will complement the technical drafting skills you’ll develop through learning AutoCAD. Revit is Autodesk’s industry-standard BIM (building information modeling) software that allows users to collaboratively create detailed 3D models of buildings, systems, or infrastructure and generate construction documents. This software is often learned and used alongside AutoCAD, as many will create their 2D designs and blueprints using AutoCAD and their 3D models and visualizations using Revit.
In addition to Revit, many also learn other modeling and design software like Autodesk’s Civil 3D or SketchUp. As its name indicates, Civil 3D is often used by professionals who design and plan civil engineering projects like bridges, water systems, or roads. Learning Civil 3D provides Civil Engineers and those working on infrastructure projects with more specific toolsets and features to design, plan, manage, and document their projects. SketchUp is another 3D modeling and design software that is often learned alongside AutoCAD. This software from Trimble is commonly used in architecture and interior design to create quick mockups and models of projects.
Industries That Use AutoCAD
AutoCAD is widely used in a variety of industries that are involved in planning, design, construction, and manufacturing. Professionals in the AEC industry, in particular, will often need to learn AutoCAD to design buildings and other structures and generate blueprints that will guide the project through the construction process. This industry is also one of the top industries in Miami, a city where the construction industry thrives as new residential, commercial, and industrial projects continue to be at the forefront of sustainable job creation.
Along with the thriving construction and real estate industries, Miami is a good location for current or prospective Interior Designers. These professionals learn AutoCAD to create or organize interior layouts and to manipulate and place specific objects and furnishings within homes and commercial and industrial buildings. They can also use this software to test out potential designs and show clients visualizations and mockups of designs.
Another important industry that uses AutoCAD is manufacturing. Miami-Dade County is at the forefront of manufacturing in Florida. This industry has experienced a 67.8% growth rate over the past 10 years, growth that the local government is looking to continue to invest in. AutoCAD is not only for buildings; it is also used by manufacturers to design products. Professionals in manufacturing create detailed product designs in AutoCAD that can then be prototyped, tested, and eventually manufactured.
AutoCAD Job Titles and Salaries
CAD Designer
CAD Designers are professionals who create drawings of buildings, structures, and other projects using CAD software. These professionals work not only in the AEC industry but also in manufacturing and will learn AutoCAD and its industry-specific toolsets to make designing easier and more efficient. In the US, a CAD Designer earns an average annual salary of $69,000. In Miami, the salary for this position can range from around $52,000 to $123,000. Salary depends on not only location but also factors like education, experience, and industry specialization.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design and manage infrastructure, which includes designing new ways for people to use transportation or receive essential services like water and electricity and maintaining current structures and systems. In addition to learning Civil 3D, Civil Engineers will need to learn AutoCAD and other CAD or BIM software to design, plan, and collaborate with team members and project stakeholders. Civil Engineers in Miami make around $83,000 annually, on average, not including any additional pay, according to Glassdoor. This salary can range from around $66,000 to $131,000, depending on one’s education and experience.
Architectural Designer
An Architectural Designer is responsible for designing buildings and structures. They will use AutoCAD to create detailed designs and blueprints for construction projects and work with their team members to ensure that quality standards are met and that projects are completed on time and within budget. Architectural Designers earn around $71,000 a year on average in the US. The annual salary for a professional in this role can range from around $53,000 to $99,000, depending on one’s location, education, and on-the-job experience.
AutoCAD Corporate Training
If you’re looking to upskill or reskill your team in AutoCAD, consider corporate training options through VDCI. VDCI offers individual classes in introductory and intermediate AutoCAD, courses that bundle individual classes together, career-oriented certificate programs for CAD and CAD/BIM, and a course to prepare learners for Autodesk’s certification exam. VDCI courses are online and self-paced, making them a great option for working professionals looking for additional skills training. Training can also be taken live online or scheduled onsite at your location for maximum convenience.
One of the advantages of booking corporate training through VDCI is that you can receive a discount on bulk vouchers purchased for their regular courses. This option allows you to determine which VDCI courses to offer to your workforce, and it allows employees to take care of the scheduling and logistics themselves. Email partnerships@vdci.edu to learn more about corporate training or to book your free consultation. VDCI’s expert instructors can also create a custom curriculum for your team’s training needs.