Posted: 2/6/2009 7:39:03 AM EDT
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What is the learning curve on this? I can use Adobe stuff almost like it's second nature... I'm wondering if having any experience with graphics type apps can give you any leg up on learning CAD type apps... even if it's really basic stuff you're trying to make.... and I'm talking a level above making boxes... primarily to hand off to a fabrication facility that can run this kind of thing through a CNC machine to make it... |
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Practice makes perfect. I started working at Timken with very little CAD experience. However, the more stuff they gave me to do, the better I got at it. When I came to Bosch, I picked up AutoCAD Lt '08 very quickly due to my time at Timken.
Tutuorials, books, they can all help. Look on Amazon for some references. A program like AutoCAD has many neat features, but you'll probably be using the basic ones over and over again. Master those basics and you'll be fine. As for 3D CAD, now that takes a bit of practice. |
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MY brother in law talks about solid works quite a bit. He's been doing this sort of thing for at least 20 years so I'm usually pretty impressed with his knowledge and skills in this sort of thing. He had his own rapid prototyping machine for a while and the stuff that he could crank out with that thing was nothing short of incredible... to me anyway. |
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Not that hard. The main thing that freaks people out about AutoCAD is that there's about 8 ways to do everything. Just start with the simple commands and work your way into the more complicated stuff later. This is so true. A lot of people get scared when they first start simply because of the sheer volume of the menus and toolbars. But, you won't be using everything(at least we don't where I work) and it is not that hard once you play around with it some. 
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The learning curve depends.
I started out on 2004, with Land Development. Now we have Civil 3D. I didn't know the program when I started, and I still learn a new command about every week (been at it for about 5 years now). Type commands with my left hand, draw with my right hand. All the engineers here do thier own drafting, we have only one CAD guy and he pretty much works for the Principal. It depends on what release you learn your initial commands on. There are lots of shortcuts to learn. |
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The strength of AutoCAD is that it is a relatively open program, with many ways to accomplish the same result. The weakness of AutoCAD is that it is a relatively open program, with many ways to accomplish the same result. <––––––- AutoCAD victim since 1985.  AutoCAD is best for making engineering working drawings of things on a scale too large to represent life-size - buildings, roads, civil works. If you're wanting to represent full-size manufactured items - parts, tools, fixtures - then you're much better off with Solid Works, ProE, or some other solid-modeling package. While it is possible to create tool paths and such in AutoCAD, it's much more direct and seamless with solid modeling programs. |
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Not that hard. The main thing that freaks people out about AutoCAD is that there's about 8 ways to do everything. Just start with the simple commands and work your way into the more complicated stuff later. The other problem is that the software is very powerful but it doesn't do anything for you. You need to give all the commands yourself. SolidWorks is a much more forgiving program. With AutoCAD, you have to know what you're doing if you're going to get a precice product out the other end. I wouldn't say the learning curve is bad, but I've never used the program to the full extent of its abilities. I'm an engineer and did a lot of CAD work when I first got out of school. 10 hours a day in front of the tablet and screen, drawing away. I can produce good work with it, but it takes a long time. Learn the hotkeys and if you can, take a class. Any time you spend doing that will more than make up for itself in time saved. I'm nothing particularly special, but people who are really good with AutoCAD are a masterful thing to behold. If you just want to make simple drawings and schematics, get Microsoft Visio. Very quick, intuitive program. If you want to prototype, especially quickly and in 3D, you're better off with SolidWorks. If you're stepping into AutoCAD, it's because you need the precision and computing power for something (complex arrays, large drawings, etc.) Just know what you need to use the program for and plan accordingly. |
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The curve for me to get pretty efficient for work was about 1 year.
Things are heading towards integration of Revit ( another autodesk software) eventually for Architecture and Architectural Engineering. To get really good and fast I use key commands vs icons. It's alot faster. But I've been doing it professionally just about every day since 95. Revit is the future at least for Architecture. |
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Is AutoCAD CNC compatible? I thought you had to use solidworks or ProE or something along those lines. Not directly, no. But there are plugins that can create a CNC from .dwgs. None are particularly good, as far as I know. AutoCAD isn't for fast drawing or prototyping. It's for very large scale drafting operations that require the computing power that it can take advantage of. Everyone likes SolidWorks because it's easy. The few people who need it like AutoCAD because it's the only thing that works. They wouldn't be getting over a grand for a full license if the software didn't do something, now would they? Draw a full set of plan views for an aircraft carrier with SolidWorks and see how it works out for you. |
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Is AutoCAD CNC compatible? I thought you had to use solidworks or ProE or something along those lines. You have to use a go between program to generate machine code. I've used ProNest, SigmaNest, and QuickCam, all have been satisfactory, but I'm doing simple 2D plasma cutting, oxyfuel cutting, and drilling (steel), not 3D milling. |