AutoCAD is a software program that was developed by Autodesk in the early 1980s. It is one of the most advanced technical drawing programs on the market today. AutoCAD is capable of producing both 2D and 3D designs that can also be animated for things like demonstrating how a particular design will move or taking a tour of a building before it’s been built. AutoCAD also has plug-ins that allow you to program applications and other software products.
Although this program is generally considered the gold standard in industries like architecture and engineering, there are plenty of other careers out there that require proficiency with this cutting-edge program. Read on to learn more!
1. Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer’s job is to combine images and text to create eye-catching visuals that quickly establish a brand or communicate a message. They can work in a variety of industries and their work can be presented both digitally and in print, depending on the assignment they’re working on. They can use AutoCAD to develop designs for websites, brochures, and magazines.
2. Interior Designer
As the title suggests, Interior Designers develop beautiful and trendy interior spaces for everything from small apartments to entire corporate offices. Because AutoCAD can depict a three-dimensional space, designers can use this software to show their ideas to their clients while moving from room to room. They can also quickly make changes to their plans depending on their client’s wishes.
3. Video Game Designer
This is potentially a surprising entry to this list, but it’s quite common for these professionals to use AutoCAD while completing their everyday tasks. A Video Game Designer is someone who creates the entire plot and design of a video game, from the plot to the visual appearance. AutoCAD comes in handy when creating the environments their characters interact with. The program produces realistic results that are sure to impress the player of the finished product. Popular games like Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End were partially designed with AutoCAD.
4. Urban Designer
An Urban Designer is responsible for working with either public or private entities and county or city planners to design complex systems like highways or housing subdivisions. AutoCAD helps them design the blueprints for these massive projects. In addition to working with AutoCAD, Urban Designers also need to have a firm understanding of geography and finance, since the projects they design often need to follow a strict budget.
5. Concept Artist
Concept Artist is a somewhat nebulous term but in general these professionals design illustrations for experiences in the virtual world. They often work on projects like video games, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). AutoCAD can be used to design characters and entire virtual landscapes or other environments.
6. CAD Drafter
These professionals generally have a certification in AutoCAD that allows them to convert designs from others into the technical drawings that can be created with the program. They usually work alongside people like engineers or designers to make sure they are capturing their designs accurately.
7. 3D Artist
A 3D Artist is a professional who works with creative producers to develop designs that can be used for film, television, news programs, and a variety of other types of media. Because AutoCAD has in-depth three-dimensional design capabilities, this tool is frequently used by 3D Artists to make their designs appear more realistic by adding subtle textural and lighting elements.
8. Architect
Architects work to design all kinds of structures, from 60-story buildings to single-family homes. They can use AutoCAD to show their designs to clients and demonstrate how any requested changes will look before the building princess begins when changes would be more difficult and expensive. In addition to experience with AutoCAD, architects are required to pass the Architect Registration Examination before finding employment.
9. Engineer
Engineering is a broad term that describes professionals who help design and control a particular system and all of the structures within. Some examples of different types of engineers include mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, and aerospace engineers. But most of them can use AutoCAD to design the machines they work with. One of the things engineers enjoy about AutoCAD is the different toolsets contained within the program. These toolsets are loaded with designs that are specific to a particular industry, like electrical engineering or architecture.
10. Project Manager
The title of Project Manager is applicable across a wide range of industries, but no matter the sector, these professionals are responsible for supervising and assigning tasks to ensure a specific project is completed on time and within budget. Depending on the particular project, they might use AutoCAD to ensure they understand the scope of the design and that the project is adhering to required specifications. Understanding these details helps them keep the team on track.
Learn AutoCAD with Career Centers
If you’re ready to learn more about what AutoCAD has to offer, taking one of the AutoCAD courses offered by Career Centers is a great place to start. This school boasts small class sizes taught by expert instructors so each student can receive adequate support. Career Centers also allows students one free retake of a course within six months of their original class.
There are a few options for students who are completely unfamiliar with AutoCAD. First, there is a six-hour AutoCAD in a Day course for a smaller time commitment or look into their three-day-long Beginner AutoCAD course. Both of these classes discuss basic drawing techniques, but the longer class also covers topics like setting up layers and adding text to your designs. Career Centers also offers an Intermediate AutoCAD class to students who have already completed the Beginner course or can demonstrate equivalent understanding. For the most intensive experience, the school has an AutoCAD bootcamp as part of their programming. It is a five-day course that introduces students to more advanced tools and teaches them to work with simple designs at first before gradually becoming more complex.
Learn more in these courses
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AutoCAD Bootcamp
- Weekdays or evenings
- 30 hours
- Open to beginners
If you want to master beginner and intermediate functions of AutoCAD quickly, this bootcamp is the perfect place to start. In this five-day, 40-hour course, you’ll go from learning the AutoCAD interface to using advanced AutoCAD techniques.
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Beginner AutoCAD
- Weekdays or evenings
- 18 hours
- Open to beginners
Explore 2D drawing techniques and the basics of AutoCAD software in this three-day course. After taking Beginner AutoCAD, you'll be able to draw with accuracy, add text to your drawings, and set up layers, styles, and templates.
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Intermediate AutoCAD
- Weekdays or evenings
- 12 hours
- Prerequisites required
In Intermediate AutoCAD, you'll acquire the skills to work more quickly and efficiently with lessons on layering techniques and creating advanced layouts. You'll learn how to set units, draw limits, and work with blocks.