Auto Cad

[Killadocg23]

Any body in th AutoCad/drafting field. Was just looking at picking up another trade and I can eat a certificate in it with just three classes. Just curious if it’s even worth it.

[montgomery]

Any body in th AutoCad/drafting field. Was just looking at picking up another trade and I can eat a certificate in it with just three classes. Just curious if it’s even worth it.

Unless you are doing electrical schematics, consider learning parametric and relational solid modeling - SolidWorks is easy to learn, a marketable skill, and the software cost does not break the bank. I have not seen AutoCad used regularly since 1990.

[clarionite]

Any body in th AutoCad/drafting field. Was just looking at picking up another trade and I can eat a certificate in it with just three classes. Just curious if it’s even worth it.

Unless you are doing electrical schematics, consider learning parametric and relational solid modeling - SolidWorks is easy to learn, a marketable skill, and the software cost does not break the bank. I have not seen AutoCad used regularly since 1990.

I worked with it in the mid 90's as a draftsman for a furniture factory. The last version I worked with was version 12. I really enjoyed the work, but there's no way I could live on the salary of a draftsman. The pay was very weak.

[WTR]

Any body in th AutoCad/drafting field. Was just looking at picking up another trade and I can eat a certificate in it with just three classes. Just curious if it’s even worth it.

Unless you are doing electrical schematics, consider learning parametric and relational solid modeling - SolidWorks is easy to learn, a marketable skill, and the software cost does not break the bank. I have not seen AutoCad used regularly since 1990.

My BIL was a design engineer with Peterbuilt. AutoCad was used extensively. I also will scan openings in Constuction related fields. Experience with AutoCad is often listed as a requirement, or at the very least a plus.

[WildBill]

Any body in th AutoCad/drafting field. Was just looking at picking up another trade and I can eat a certificate in it with just three classes. Just curious if it’s even worth it.

From what I have observed [NASA, DOD and Offshore work] is that the people using the software do some/or most of the design work, not just the drawing portion.
As another person pointed out I think Solid Works is used more than AutoCad. All in all, it's a good set of skills to have. even if it just teaches you how to read a drawing.
Knowledge /a class in GD&T is also a useful skill.

[WTR]

A friend who was an Electrical/Mechanical Endineer died recently of Cancer. My friends AutoCad man was in very high demand from other Engineering offices.

[philip964]

Rivit is the new in demand drafting/modeling software.
It is made by Autocad.

You create a 3d model and with some button clicks, the program creates the 2d drawings you would normally draw a line at a time.

[Killadocg23]

Thank you gents. I just found it Interesting. I spoke to a few of my buddies who suggest just getting a certificate in auto cad. One has about 7 years experience and no degree what so ever and make 35 an hour here in corpus drawing piping for the refineries. Another buddy works in Austin at an engineering firm and make about 70k or so. They aware telling me to jump on the train. I did a bit of technical drawing in school as well.

[Vol Texan]

My wife doesn't use AutoCad, but she does do 3D CAD design of jewelry in her shop here in Houston. It has really upped her game a lot - and her business is booming because of it.
I say this because there are more uses to CAD than just the ones mentioned above. It's a marketable skill that can (with a bit of practice) be applied across a number of industries.
3D printing is getting bigger and bigger these days. How are those models built? In 3D CAD software packages!

I'd say, "yes", if three classes can get you a cert, then it can't be bad for your resume. And, if you think a bit broader, you might find yourself in a whole new industry.

[WTR]

My friend has no formal education. However, he has 30 years of practical experience.

[Killadocg23]

I really appreciate the replies gentleman , I really do ! Happy shooting and God bless you all !

[Killadocg23]

Thank you gents. I just found it Interesting. I spoke to a few of my buddies who suggest just getting a certificate in auto cad. One has about 7 years experience and no degree what so ever and make 35 an hour here in corpus drawing piping for the refineries. Another buddy works in Austin at an engineering firm and make about 70k or so. They are telling me to jump on the train. I did a bit of technical drawing in school as well.

[jason812]

In my previous line of work, we used AutoCad for facility layout. It was handy for laying out work cells, keeping track of where the over head cranes traveled, and knowing what we had to move for new equipment.

Creo (formally ProE) was what was used for product development, fixture design, prints, and making 3D models.

Esprit was used for programming the machining centers and the Creo models were imported for this.

What software a company uses and what you are experienced in using will play a role in where you can end up working. I always said if you can use one, you can figure the others out.

[The Annoyed Man]

My son is a CNC Machine programmer, and uses CAD all the time. It’s a valuable skill set to have, particularly if you can output your work into machine code, and know how to edit the code directly if need be. But I doubt you can get beyond the basics in just 3 days.

[Killadocg23]

Thanks a lot gents !