I’m about to use autocad 2004. I haven’ t used any other program like this. Are there any books or tutorials, other than the ones supplied, I should be looking into before or during the use and installation of this program? Also, any tips or suggestions about this program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
” Looks good from my house!!”
Replies
Is it AutoCad or AutoCad LT? And this is your first venture into cad? You might do well to take a continuing-ed class at one of the community colleges or high schools.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
The craftsman formerly known as elCid
autocad 2004 is going to be way over your head, There are two college course that teach just the basic of autocad. There thousand of books on it but its a very powerful program. I would start with a dummy book.
What is wrong with the tutorial provided? At age 45, when totally computer illiterate, and knowing no kind of CAD whatsoever, I learned full-function CADKEY, which is pretty much like AutoCad. Took me about 40 hours to get through the basic tutorial, after which time I was on my own.
our local community college has an 8 course program to teach the software as part of a drafting degree. i know 8 courses sounds like a lot, but it should give you some idea as to the depth and complexity of the program.
carpenter in transition
Autocad can do anything. I havn't used it for several years (autocad 12 is where I stopped) but many many functions you just don't have to know. Basically, I would get a book for dummies and you'll be ready to go and make basic drawings in a weekend if you know somethign about reading plans. A lot of stuff just makes using the program easier.
Try and find a good reference book about what exactly your going to be drawing and that will give you the tips and tricks to make your work faster.
I use AutoCad 14. The 2D stuff can be learned from any good manuel. However, the 3D and shortcuts have a long learning curve. Go to AutoDesk or your phone book and search for a professional in your area that teaches AutoCad. You should be able to learn it in about a week with instruction, and working at home. The pro's can tailor your training to what you plan to use it for.
AutoCAD is a comprehensive, complex, advanced program. It appears really intimidating, but can be easy to use for the types of work you might do daily.
I think the difficulty comes from two things. First, the huge amount of commands. But you have to learn the two dozen you will actually use and accept that you'll never learn all of the hundreds. Second, CAD operates unlike any other software you may be used to. It's not like Word, Excel, Power Point, or any of the artistic sketching packages. It's totally different. If you have someone explain the broad framework of how it operates you'll have cracked the key to understanding it.
As for learning, it depends on your learning style. Some people can learn from books. I can't very well. I need a live person to show me and for me to do it. If that's like you, I'd recommend a class, even with a high school or college instructor who could moonlight with you for a few sessions.
Like all things in life, some basic skills are required. Start with a dummies book and a completely un-customized installation so it matches instructions and help files. Concentrate on mastering all the different methods of specifying coordinates, distances, and angles including XY & Z point filters. Then master the object selection options – don’t overlook object filters. These skills are applicable to most commands and give the program a lot of subtle power. By the time you do that you will be familiar enough to customize templates for the drawing setups you use most. I have not had eraser dust in my office since 1985.
You say you're "about to use it". Is this because you're being required to use it at work, or just because you think it's a good idea (having heard it's the "standard", etc.)?
Unless this is a program you're going to be using EVERY day as a part of work, AND using it with a 3rd party add-on, it's probably not the best decision in the world. (And I'm being very gentle here.)
If this is a program that you've picked just to "draw houses" on an infrequent basis (or even worse, just your own house), I would carefully rethink this decision, as there are much easier, faster programs with a FAR less steep learning curve. I used ACAD for years and wouldn't dream of going back to it. (Although this, I admit, is partly due to having been screwed over bigtime by Autodesk when they unilaterally ended their license transfer program.)
It would be helpful to responders if you would describe the situation you're planning to use this in and why.
Edited 2/17/2004 1:37:50 PM ET by Richard
I upgraded to AutoCad LT2000i from TurboCad, which required some un-learning before I could learn again. The AutoCad user interface is much better for the basic 2D drawing functions that you use 99+% of the time.
As for learning, just play around at first. Don't try to draw anything you'd want to save. That way you can try stuff with nothing to lose. The beauty of computers is that you really can't hurt anything by trying stuff.
The best resources are user groups, both on the internet and that meet in person. Do a Google search, I think AUGI is the name of one of them. For me, that was the quickest way to get expert answers to specific questions.
And, in Format/Linetype, be sure to clear the evil little check box in the lower left. I don't remember what it screws up if it's checked, but the post-it that says to do that is still stuck to my monitor. Then again, yours is two versions newer, so that may not apply. ;-)
-- J.S.
If you're just doing basic drafting, there are lots of easier programs to consider. AutoCAD has an unending learning curve. I have been using it daily since 1997, and haven't learned half of it, I'm sure. If 2-d linework is your need, consider some of the midprice ($500-750) alternates like Chief Architect.
If you want highly precise 3-d modelling capacity, or need to share your files with consultants, then AutoCAD's yer baby. Get George Omura's book "Mastering AutoCAD 2004" by Sybex press. It's a big mother, but it's my bible for most questions.
Also look into CADALYST magazine which has very useful articles for ACAD users in many disciplines. Lynn Allen has a breezy article each month for architectural users.
Also check into the site http://www.AUGI.com. Their users guilds have answered an awful lot of my questions.
Make sure your computer is up to the task. I haven't upgraded to 2004 yet (using Architectural Desktop v3.3), but I've heard that systems should have 1GB of RAM & the fastest processor you can afford. I tried running ADT 3.3 on my home computer w/128 MB RAM & an old pentium 2 processor. It don't work. If you're running Windows 98, upgrade to XP. Windows 98 continually chokes when trying to run AutoCAD.
Finally, make sure you learn quickly how to print your drawings. You can't issue construction drawings on 11x17; how will you generate large plots? If you don't have a plotter contact a reprographics company in your area & consult with them as to what printer drivers you need to load & use to be able to plot using their machines.
Been there, done that. It's going to be a tough start. E-mail me w/startup questions & I'll be happy to coach.
I knew I was going to use this program pretty much once for a woodshop I want to build. However, I am usually doing enough side jobs where it might come in handy and if I use it once in a while, it might be worth holding onto. But after reading the helpful feedback, I might not even bother. Thanks for the input. I guess I'm looking for a program that can help me layout a 20' X20' building possibly with a loft pretty much for my own reference and the building inspector. I'm not even sure if 2D or 3D should be an issue, either one should be fine. Thanks again.
Dave
" Looks good from my house!!"
People laugh at me and my draftsmen, but sometimes we'll draw a room on graph paper, and make paper cutouts to scale of all the equipment, and give them to customers so they can play around with them. It actually works great when work groups want to lay out their work areas. If you use Post-It notes for the equipment they stay put better.
Learning AutoCAD for this purpose would be like going to medical school to remove a splinter.
Take a look at http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/ or its big brother, Chief Architect. http://www.chiefarchitect.com.
Edited 2/18/2004 3:45:17 PM ET by Richard
going to medical school to remove a splinter.
HAHAHAHA
I know but the program is accessible to me right now and I figured why not.....
Nice analagy though" Looks good from my house!!"
I have R14 and 2000...If you dont use it every week you will never
be able to use it well...there is to much to remember,and forget...
Great program however...
Bud
http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/index.htm
You can download these, save 'em to your HD...access at will.