Best way to Learn AutoCad

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I recently joined a stone works company which makes countertops and does tile work. Basically any installation involving stone like marble/granite/etc.

What is the best way for someone with no experience to learn how to use the software. I will need to take measurements of electronic blueprints to determine the square footage so we can make estimates. Please let me know if there is a course or online tutorial you all recommend.

Thank you!

JC

[pendean]

If your company does not offer peer training, I suggest you find a small class at a local community college or one-on-one tutoring from a colleague/friend after hours to catch you up. There are many things you need to be shown to do first hand to get you started IMHO.

[Patchy]

If all you need is area, draw a polyline and close it, go to properties and see the area.

Take a day or two to learn setting up the correct units, go to Youtube and search for the command Area in Autocad.

[TheCADnoob]

There are a couple things to consider, what is the file format of the 'electronic blueprints' that you will be using? Is your company creating the drawings?

If they are all DWG and your company is creating the drawings, AutoCAD is a good was to go.

If they are all PDF and your company is not creating the drawings, there may be other options that may work better. This is not to say that AutoCAD cant do it, but it may not be the best tool for the job. There are simple tools like the dynamic fill tool in bluebeam that make area material takeoff from pdfs super simple. The downside of something simple is if you need a more powerful tool, this may not be the best solution long term. You have to weight your appetite for learning and how fast you need results. That said if you company suggested AutoCAD you can get up to speed fairly quick with a few commands. For area material takeoff youll probably need line tools,poly line tools, hatching tools and the properties menu. With those you can get an area. 

If you are going to go the AutoCAD route (not a bad way to go in either case and you can apply the skill to other facets of your industry) you can get formal training at an Autodesk certified training center. 

https://www.autodesk.com/partners/locate-a-reseller?partnerType=Training%20Center

There is also great material from Autodesk like the hitchhikers guide

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/AutoC...

There are also countless resources available on the internet.

https://www.mycadsite.com/

[jcronin]

If you wish to be proficient with the software, prepare to dedicate time to using it and learning/understanding how it works.  Consider it like any other "tool", the more you use it the easier it'll be.  If you plan to just use it to take measurements then start with a drawing or blueprint and "search it up".  If you have a personal computer and can access it at home then you can learn those features in an evening or so.  Good luck and happy CADING!   

[Anonymous]

Awesome, thank you for the feedback. I am looking forward to diving in. I'll definitely take a look at the links and resources you all suggested. The files I have seen thus far are DWG when we are dealing with larger projects, but I have seen RFQ's come in with PDF's as well.

Thank you all again for your input. It has been very helpful.