Learning Autocad

[bob1371]

Hello,
My company just purchased Autocad and I will be using it to do electrical panel drawings for small machines that we build in house. I have no experience with Autocad (have messed with solidworks a little). Any books or tutorial websites that someone could suggest.

thanks,
Bob

 

[ctopher]

I suggest your company send you to training. Human interaction is much better than any manuals or online tutorials.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[Exxit]

...or search in the

http://www...

eg.:

http://www2.ncsu.edu:8010/unity/loc...urse/gc/acadtut/acadtut2000/acadtut-home.html

http://www.cadtutor.net/

L.

ADT 2004
ACAD 2002

 

[bob1371]

thanks for the info. I will look at the tutorials. As for training, I looked into what was available thru local college and tech schools. Closest class is 60 miles away.

Bob

 

[Beggar]

I have been to formal ACAD/MDT training and I found that my time spent with "Inside AutoCAD" by George Omura was much better spent. I would say, buy that or any other high-rated book.

For electrical schematics, I find AutoCAD easier to use than SolidWorks. For panel layouts, I use SolidWorks.

By the way, for doing layouts and schematics, you don't need to spend the big bucks for AutoCAD. You'll be fine with AutoCAD LT which costs (last time I checked which was while ago) about 25% as the full-blown AutoCAD.

--------------------
How much do YOU owe?

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

--------------------

 

[dik]

I second Beggar... I used the text "Mastering AutoCAD" also by Omura (I think) Set asise an hour a night for a month and went through the book... an excellent way to start...

Dik

 

[ctopher]

I agree. SW is not very good at elect schematics. But, bob1372 was asking about electrical panel drawings, not schematics.
Just from my own experience, I have never seen a ACAD book that was very good. The one mentioned above, I have not seen yet.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[Beggar]

My bad... I got two books confused.

I've used both books -- Omura's "Mastering AutoCAD" and "Inside AutoCAD" by Harrington. I've used them both and found them both to be very good for self-teaching.

The other book that I found very helpful was the AutoCAD "Quick Reference Guide."



--------------------
How much do YOU owe?

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

--------------------

 

[chicopee]

Your best bet is to get a local tutor who can accelerate your training instead of college. Local vocational training institutes that may have accelerated programs may also be a good bet.

 

[JStephen]

My local junior college offered an "AutoCAD for Professionals" class that was all day on 4- consecutive Saturdays. It assumed you more or less knew how to draft and just needed to learn AutoCAD. If that option was available to you, I'd recommend it.

Of course, after several years, I'm still learning, too.

 

[chicopee]

Between all the commands and related options, one never stops learning autocad.

 

[svanels]

My favorites are Inside Autocad 2000.. and Mastering Autocad 14..
Since I do not use Autocad in my day to day activities I am content using Autocad 2000, and still scare the h.. out of 2006 and later users.

It is true you never stop learning, but you need to learn the basics first.

 

[Ratso]

If you have a registered version of AutoCAD then you should be able to access the online training courses on their website. You have to register yourself for that and they have different topics that is covered. For a start that should do, after that use the books recommended.