Mastering AutoCAD not only develops skills in 2D and 3D design, blueprint drafting, and engineering simulation, but it also opens numerous career opportunities in various sectors, including engineering, architecture, and product development. Additionally, AutoCAD can be utilized for personal projects and can even be a source of side income.
Key Insights
- AutoCAD is a widely-used computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating architectural, construction, and engineering blueprints, schematics, and models.
- Professionals in architecture, electrical, electronics, interior design, industrial, and manufacturing fields primarily use AutoCAD.
- Aside from professional use, AutoCAD can be used for personal projects such as clothing design, architecture, and home remodeling.
- Listing AutoCAD skills on a resume is advantageous, particularly for roles in industries like engineering, architecture, drafting, and design.
- Individuals proficient in AutoCAD can generate side income by selling their designs or offering tutoring services.
- Noble Desktop offers comprehensive AutoCAD courses for learners at all levels, both online and in-person.
Learning AutoCAD develops skills in 2D and 3D design, blueprint drafting, and engineering simulation building. The skills can be applied to various engineering, architecture, and product development careers. If you are still determining if learning AutoCAD suits you, consider reading on to learn more about the myriad uses of AutoCAD tools and techniques. Not only will learning AutoCAD open up a number of new career opportunities, but it also has a lot of potential personal uses.
What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is the most widely-used computer-aided design (CAD) software worldwide. It is used to create architectural, construction, and engineering blueprints, schematics, and models. Released by Autodesk in 1982, AutoCAD makes 2D and 3D designing more efficient. As a result, millions of professionals across several industries rely daily on this powerful, collaborative software.
Read more about what AutoCAD is and why you should learn it.
Professional Uses for AutoCAD
Engineers, Designers, and Drafters primarily use AutoCAD in the architecture, electrical, electronics, interior design, industrial, and manufacturing fields. Industries where AutoCAD users work include utilities, transportation, construction, manufacturing, and aerospace, among others. While the day-to-day duties of these positions vary, they share typical responsibilities such as drafting and designing.
Drafting & Blueprints
Drafting is an essential step in the design process that visualizes a project’s structural details and allows modifications to be made to a design before construction starts. Drafting involves the 2D sketching of projects, called blueprints. While drafting can be done by hand with a pencil and ruler, many modern Engineers and Designers learn AutoCAD to create digital blueprints, which can aid in greater productivity and precision.
3D Modeling
3D modeling allows for navigating the structure of a project in ways that can’t be achieved in 2D. Not every project requires 3D modeling as part of the design process. However, 3D modeling has certain advantages. More complex systems can be easier to understand in 3D, and 3D modeling can be used to create real-time simulations. Due to their highly visual nature, 3D models commonly exist in marketing materials. Engineers and Architects commonly use 3D modeling to understand a structure better, while an interior designer might use 3D modeling to visualize a physical space better.
Design
Drafting and 3D modeling are parts of a greater design lifecycle, from conceptualization to prototyping, testing, and final product construction. Design theory is usually thought of as being a part of an artist's design. However, Architects and Engineers use similar principles to design visually appealing, functional, and structurally sound projects, including buildings, power plants, and automobiles. Designers must know the product scope, including a budget, available space, time frame, and other resources.
Product Management
Product Management involves guiding the development of a product throughout its lifecycle, from conception to reiteration after the initial launch. AutoCAD Engineers, Designers, and Drafters can grow into product management roles responsible for managing teams, deadlines, budgets, and project scope. AutoCAD users might direct the development of projects such as retail products, automobiles, construction, interior design elements, energy pipelines, and electronics.
Other Uses for AutoCAD
There are more uses for AutoCAD beyond professional. AutoCAD can assist you with pursuing personal projects and hobbies like fashion, art, and home design. AutoCAD can be used to 3D print a variety of materials. Job hunters will find AutoCAD can boost their resume, and individuals looking for extra income can sell their AutoCAD skills or products.
Personal Projects
AutoCAD can be used to create drafts and models as references for personal projects. AutoCAD’s sketching and 3D modeling features can be used to design everything from clothing to architecture. House owners wishing to remodel a room can build and experiment with a 3D model before starting a project. Individuals who engage in sculpting or wood carving can also build conceptual models in AutoCAD. 3D printing enthusiasts can create their own STL files in AutoCAD.
Boost Your Resume
AutoCAD is a standard in the engineering, architecture, drafting, and design industries. Professionals who desire to work in these areas will be expected to know how to use the program. Beyond that, listing AutoCAD on your resume shows you can create drafts and blueprints. It also exemplifies that you’re comfortable with computer software and using computer tools. Employers are looking for potential hires who are creative, technical, and detail-oriented. Your work in AutoCAD can be vital in demonstrating these skills and be a boost to your resume.
Side Income
Individuals who learn AutoCAD can use the program to generate side income through their designs. Such designs might include:
- 3D printing files
- Printed gaming tokens and miniatures
- Laser cutting designs
- Digital art
- 2D & 3D models for video games or other digital applications
- Floor plans
- Real estate graphics
Individuals who feel comfortable with their AutoCAD skills can sell their time in tutoring others how to use the program or build an online course for sale. AutoCAD users can also provide their skills to small businesses that can use assistance with drafting and blueprinting. There are indeed a myriad of ways to earn a side income with AutoCAD.
Learn AutoCAD Skills with Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers a variety of AutoCAD classes for learners at all levels. Whether you attend online or in-person, you’ll get hands-on training from leading industry experts. In addition, Noble’s courses are taught in small groups and include an optional free retake for students within a year.
Noble’s AutoCAD Level 1 provides an overview of the basics. AutoCAD Level 2 builds upon the fundamentals and teaches you how to create more technical and advanced projects. Noble’s AutoCAD Bootcamp combines all topics from Levels 1 and 2 for a comprehensive overview of everything you’ll need to master the software.
Self-guided AutoCAD programs
Students who are looking to make a career out of using AutoCAD might also be interested in their options for career focused, self guided classes. These courses allow students to learn at their own pace (with guidance and assistance from a professional mentor) and they provide students with career-focused training and job placement support. While many students find it desirable to learn from a live instructor, these self-paced classes are the perfect fit for self-motivated students looking to make a career out of their AutoCAD training.
AutoCAD Certificate Program
The Visual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) offers an immersive AutoCAD certificate program that aims to help students become career ready within only a few weeks of training. This program provides students with hands-on, job-focused training in the use of AutoCAD and the course is designed with new students in mind, meaning that you’ll move from your first construction draft to a capstone project to add to your professional portfolio over the course of the certificate program. This program also offers students the opportunity to take up to 80 hours of electives to help them specialize in subjects including Revit, Sketchup and Civil 3D Pro. With this option for specialization and the focus on career development training, this certificate program is an ideal entry point for aspiring designers, architects and engineers looking to learn how to use AutoCAD in a professional capacity.
AutoCAD Fundamentals
Students looking for an accelerated introduction to AutoCAD and computer-aided design generally may be interested in taking this introductory course offered by VDCI. Students will learn the basics of using AutoCAD and practical skills that they can bring back to their current jobs or use as the baseline for future CAD training (including some of the other advanced classes offered through VDCI). In this class, students will get live, hands-on instruction in the use of AutoCAD, including exercises in which they create drafting symbols, kitchens and bath fixtures, a floor plan, and deliverable file sheets. While you’ll need more training if you want to make a career out of your AutoCAD skills, this course is an excellent introduction to the kinds of projects that AutoCAD professionals will need to utilize.
AutoCAD Professional
If you have already taken the AutoCAD fundamentals program or you have experience with AutoCAD from another source, you may be interested in moving towards professional level training in this advanced AutoCAD program. In this program, students will learn how to create 2D designs for construction documents that meet all of the necessary and legal standards that they are expected to follow. This course offers practical skills training and is designed to ensure that experienced AutoCAD users are able to get the accelerated training that they need in order to start using the application in more complex professional capacities. This course is built to help students learn at their own pace and class scheduling is incredibly flexible for professionals looking to develop new skills while still working.
How to Learn AutoCAD
Master AutoCAD, the leading computer-aided design (CAD) application for creating drafts and technical drawings, with hands-on training.
- AutoCAD Bootcamp at Noble Desktop: 30-hour live, instructor-led course available in NYC or live online
- Find AutoCAD Classes Near You: Search & compare dozens of available courses in-person
- Attend an AutoCAD class live online (remote/virtual training) from anywhere
- Choose a self-paced AutoCAD class to fit your schedule and learning style
- Find & compare the best online AutoCAD classes (on-demand) from the top providers and platforms
- Train your staff with corporate and onsite AutoCAD training