AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for designers to create and draw 2D and 3D models using graphical controls and commands. It’s one of the most popular CAD programs on the market due to its versatility and wide range of applications.
Depending on their field of work, some designers focus on 2D modelling, such as architects and civil engineers, while others focus on rendering and 3D modelling, such as product designers, mechanical engineers, aerospace engineers and industrial designers.
The tools and features provided by AutoCAD are essential to millions of professionals worldwide, and mastery of the programme has become a highly sought-after skill in the job market.
Adding AutoCAD to your CV as one of your professional skills can make you more marketable when competing for jobs. It can also help you bring professional projects to life without the need for third parties by creating drawings and prototypes yourself, and it gives you the opportunity to freelance and earn extra income based on your skills.
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Types of AutoCAD Courses
The three most popular types of AutoCAD courses are online, in-person, and hybrid, providing students with the flexibility to choose the learning style that best suits their needs.
Online AutoCAD Courses
Online AutoCAD courses are delivered entirely online, allowing students to access course materials, video lectures and assignments at any time from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Flexibility
The majority of online courses offer the opportunity to access the content anytime, anywhere using a computer or smartphone. As a result, online learning is considered flexible, allowing students to decide when and where they want to study and how much time they want to invest in the learning process. AutoCAD online courses are no exception, although it’s recommended that you use a computer rather than a phone, as AutoCAD’s features were designed to work only on computers, and constant practice is required during any AutoCAD course.
Self-paced Learning
The ability to study at your own pace and complete assignments on your own schedule is an advantage for online students, especially those with busy schedules. Recorded videos allow for review until the subject is understood, and learning takes place at the student’s own pace. This appeals to students who struggle with retention and feel pressured to complete lessons on time without mastering the subject.
Cost-effective
The majority of course providers consider face-to-face courses to be more expensive than online courses due to overheads and facilities costs. Most institutes and training centres have better rates for online courses compared to face-to-face courses, benefiting students, teachers, academies and course providers.
In-Person AutoCAD Courses
In-person courses are delivered face-to-face in a physical classroom or workshop setting, allowing students to receive instruction and guidance directly from the instructor and interact with peers in real-time.
Hands-on Learning Experience
In-person AutoCAD courses offer the opportunity for students to be fully focused on the lesson or lectures in real-time and with guided practices. This type of course has the benefit of providing teaching in an environment designed for learning with no distractions and with the right equipment.
Interaction with Instructors and Peers
The ability to interact with instructors and other students to share ideas, questions and comments is one of the biggest benefits of in-person AutoCAD courses. There’s usually more than one way to do the same thing in AutoCAD, so it’s helpful to discuss which method is more efficient with your peers, and to share tricks that help the learning process. Forming study groups is also beneficial for learning and motivation.
Access to Software and Tools
The ideal scenario for both students and instructors is to have access to the same version of AutoCAD. This allows students to follow the AutoCAD instructor’s instructions in case of interruptions or technical problems. Remember that Autodesk releases a new version of their software every year.
Hybrid AutoCAD Courses
Hybrid AutoCAD courses combine both online and in-person instruction, offering a flexible learning experience that combines the convenience of online learning with the benefits of in-person interaction and support.
Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid courses offer the flexibility of online learning paired with the hands-on experience of in-person learning, creating a more flexible learning schedule compared to the in-person courses. These courses help promote student motivation by creating a commitment to showing up for scheduled classes, especially for students who struggle with retention or have difficulties learning a subject but don’t have the time to commit to a full in-person schedule.
Interaction with Instructors and Peers
During in-person classes, participants of hybrid AutoCAD courses have the opportunity to clear up doubts and questions that seem too complex to explain through online channels, creating a community for sharing relevant information.
Access to Software and Tools
While access to AutoCAD software and tools in a hybrid course is highly dependent on the student’s connectivity, students may have the opportunity to consult and receive guidance from instructors in the early stages of the course. In addition, some hybrid AutoCAD courses benefit both students and instructors by allowing students to use the facilities’ computers to practice and complete assignments.
The basic use of AutoCAD is explained in this article.
【2025】AutoCAD Training: Learn AutoCAD’s Basic Tools and Functions
How to Choose the Best AutoCAD Course
Now, I will explain the points you should look at and how to choose the AutoCAD course that is right for you.
Determine Your Learning Style
It’s a good idea to make a personal assessment of the pros and cons of online, face-to-face and hybrid learning, and to compare your previous experiences with these learning methods. Consider the resources and time required to complete the course before choosing a learning style. Learning AutoCAD requires many hours of practice, and that’s something to consider when calculating the time invested in each course. Also, not all students learn at the same pace, so it’s important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each learning style.
Consider the Level of Expertise You Need to Learn
If you want to use AutoCAD as a professional tool, you will probably need to take a full, industry-orientated course that goes beyond the basics of the software. Otherwise, courses that focus on understanding and using the basics of the program would be sufficient for any hobbyist. Also, because AutoCAD’s applications are narrow, it’s advisable to choose a course that focuses on the area of study for which you plan to use AutoCAD. For example, there are specialised AutoCAD courses for electrical, architectural, mechanical and manufacturing applications.
Research the Reputation of the Course Provider
Before enrolling in an AutoCAD course, it’s important to check for external references and course reviews that accredit the course provider, especially when taking online courses. If you decide to join a hybrid or in-person class, you can look for the school or institute’s reputation as an education facility. In the case of online courses, checking the reputation is easier as many platforms offer star ratings on their courses and comments shared by past students who are part of the learning community.
Check for Certifications and Accreditation
Most online courses offer a certificate upon completion, which can make your CV stand out, especially if you can add the certificate to your social media profile or if the course is backed by a prestigious institution. One of the most important certifications in this area is the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting, available from the official Autodesk website. Autodesk and many independent certification companies offer specialised preparation courses for the certification exam.
Read Reviews and Feedback from Previous Students
Be sure to ask previous students or professionals in the CAD area for course suggestions and let them guide you to choosing the best course for your learning experience.
What Should Be Included in a Comprehensive AutoCAD Course
If you don’t know how to choose an AutoCAD course, it would be a good idea to check if it includes the following content.
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Basic Drawing Techniques
Users need to be able to navigate the software interface and basic 2D and 3D tools, access the toolbar, manipulate the Gizmo and use basic commands in all environments. New users need to learn how to use commands, create shapes and lines, set dimensions and navigate the workspace. They should also learn how to activate modes and use editing commands to create different drawings, including annotations and text.
Modifying Drawings
Users should be able to edit and manipulate objects, change parameters, and manipulate layers to reduce workload and repetitive tasks. Templates are a useful tool when modifying drawings. It’s vital for students to learn how to create blocks that allow the usage of template drawings and entities in more than one drawing. This tool is an advantage when producing many drawings in the same project.
Viewing and Managing Drawings
Users should be able to manage viewports and external files appropriately, import and export files, and reuse content to optimise the design process. AutoCAD provides a number of plotting options that are necessary to understand and apply when printing a physical representation of drawings.
Advanced Drawing Techniques
Users should be able to manage certain advanced tools such as adding constraints to objects, creating equations, developing generative and parametric designs, importing external files, customizing tools, using dynamic blocks, and managing meshes and surfaces.
Annotation and Presentation
Users should be able to annotate drawings and manage the layout space appropriately, taking into account dimensions, viewports and layers. They should be able to create and modify text, tables and notes in the layout and model space to produce drawings that meet standards for technical drawing presentations.
Collaboration and Sharing
Every AutoCAD user should be able to use the platform to share files and collaborate through the Autodesk platform using the appropriate files, while effectively communicating design intentions to teammates or clients. This entails understanding the types of files that can be exported and imported from AutoCAD and its versions.
Customizing AutoCAD
Users should be able to customise the workspace, units and tools to suit their design needs. This includes customising linetypes, line weights, fonts, layers, blocks and setting common tools according to the designer’s needs to improve the design process. It’s important to note that there is more than one way to do a particular task in AutoCAD, so customising the interface will help users become more effective in their drawings.
AutoCAD Courses Offered by Specialized Training Centers
Authorised Training Centres provide a global training solution for users who want to learn how to master any of the Autodesk software products on the market, such as AutoCAD, Fusion 360 or Inventor. These centres provide a space for certified instructors and their learning communities to expand their software knowledge, prepare for certification exams, and achieve career goals. There are hundreds of these centers across the globe, and you can use the Autodesk website to locate the training center nearest to you.
As AutoCAD is Autodesk’s most popular product, you’ll have no trouble finding the right trainer for you. In addition, AutoCAD training centres offer official certificates and have competent staff to prepare students for the AutoCAD certification exam if they want to become a certified designer.
Course content will vary depending on the instructor. However, general content guidelines for most courses include the following:
- Learning how to draw and edit objects, manage layers, apply object snaps, use advanced editing functions, and draw accurately using the User Coordinate System.
- Creating and managing layouts, outputs, and prints.
- Learning annotation techniques and dimensioning.
- Using drawing management techniques, blocks for efficiency, and controlling external files.
- Reviewing and mastering the topics covered on the Autodesk AutoCAD Professional certification exam by completing exam-like exercises and models.
CADLab AutoCAD Online Training Course
CADLabWorld offers an eight-hour intensive course that is the best and most complete AutoCAD course for beginners. The course is designed to help you master all the AutoCAD tools and become a skilled CAD designer. It includes live webinars, where you can interact with instructors who are certified AutoCAD Professionals. Students can solve any doubts in real-time within the 120-hour time frame where the course takes place.
All the information given throughout the course is explained in straightforward language, making it easy for anyone to understand.
The course content is divided into 11 chapters, which cover the following aspects:
- AutoCAD screen operations and initial settings
- Object creation (line segments, circles, arcs, polylines, rectangles, centerlines, etc.)
- Object selection (basic, quick selection, similar selection)
- Drawing aids (grid and snap, object snap tracking, etc.)
- Object editing (move, offset, rotate, trim, fillet, stretch, etc.)
- Layers and properties (layer settings, object properties)
- Reusing content (shapes) (block definition, placement, editing, attribute definition)
- Annotative text (text entry, multi-text, editing, styling)
- Annotative dimensions (fills, multileader, edit, style settings)
- Annotative hatches (create, edit)
- Layout usage (page setup, create viewport, control panel)
- Annotative scaling (settings)
- Drawing comparison functions
- Templates (create drawing templates)
- Data management and utilization (external referencing, linking DWG files)
To join the course or access further information, visit our AutoCAD course page.
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Udemy AutoCAD Courses
Udemy is an online learning platform with thousands of courses in various subjects and languages. Teachers upload videos, share documents and open discussion forums to interact with their students. Udemy offers CAD courses that provide introductory information at affordable prices. You can review course content, resources and reviews before enrolling, and search for courses using keywords related to your desired CAD software.
The Complete AutoCAD 2018-21 Course
This course is the best-selling AutoCAD course on the platform for English speakers. Jaiprakash Pandey, the course provider, is the author of “Practical AutoCAD Book” and a certified AutoCAD professional. With over 200,000 students and hundreds of positive reviews, this course is aimed at beginners and focuses on providing practical, industry-related examples throughout.
AutoCAD Beginners Course
This is the second highest rated AutoCAD course on the platform for English speakers. Mike Freeman, a professional CAD designer and trainer with over 20 years’ experience, provides this course with concise and clear examples. Students consider it the best Udemy option for absolute beginners with no CAD background.
Complete AutoCAD 2D&3D from Beginners to Expert Course
This is the third highest rated AutoCAD course on the platform for English speakers. Taught by Rajesh K., a design software engineer and trainer with over 10 years’ experience, this comprehensive course covers basic to advanced AutoCAD tools for 2D and 3D design.
LinkedIn Learning AutoCAD Courses
LinkedIn is a social network dedicated to career development and employment that has grown exponentially over the past decade, enabling employees, companies and recruiters around the world to connect and build professional relationships. With this in mind, the network has launched the LinkedIn Learning platform for users to enhance, develop and strengthen their professional skills through world-class, industry-leading courses. As CAD skills are a great asset for a wide range of professionals, LinkedIn Learning offers different levels of AutoCAD training courses that can later be shared on users’ profiles.
Learning AutoCAD (2021)
This is the most popular course on LinkedIn Learning for English speakers. The course provider is Shaun Bryant, a certified instructor in both AutoCAD and Revit Architecture software with more than 10 years of experience. This is a basic, short course for beginners that covers the essential AutoCAD tools for 2D sketching.
AutoCAD 2015 Essential Training
This is one of the top-rated AutoCAD courses for English speakers on the LinkedIn Learning platform. The course provider is Scott Onstott, a CAD and BIM specialist. The course is divided into 16 sections, covering the basics of 2D drafting and some advanced features to take students to an intermediate level of AutoCAD.
AutoCAD 2022 Essential Training
This is one of the most popular courses on LinkedIn Learning for English speakers. The course provider is Shaun Bryant, who is also the tutor for the Learning AutoCAD course above. This is a beginner to intermediate course for AutoCAD version 2022, covering all essential drafting techniques and some advanced tools, with nine sections and quizzes. It differs from Learning AutoCAD (2021) in that it is more complete and uses the latest version of AutoCAD.
Autodesk AutoCAD Courses
Autodesk official also offers AutoCAD courses. However, these events are held irregularly.
AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Professional Certification Prep
This course is available on the Autodesk platform and provides all the tools necessary to take the AutoCAD certification exam with practical examples, tests and exercises. It covers the management of all AutoCAD features and tools, including drawing, organising, editing objects, creating annotations, reusing content, working with layouts and outputs, and managing drawings.
Individual Learning Modules
In addition to providing courses to prepare users for the certification, Autodesk also offers shorter individual courses available on its platform to help users manage AutoCAD tools accurately and take advantage of the software features. Some of these courses include:
- Productivity Tips for AutoCAD
- Creating Advanced Objects
- Plotting Your Drawings
- Managing Layers
- Creating Drawing Layouts
- Advanced Editing Commands
- Creating Multileaders
Technical Drawing for Design and Drafting
Also available on the Autodesk platform, this course focuses on creating templates for a more technical approach using AutoCAD tools. It covers advanced drafting techniques to create more accurate drawings, including designing with constraints and using polar tracking. Everything related to the presentation of drawings is covered, including managing viewports, layers and measurement methods.
How to Find an In-Person AutoCAD Course
You can find AutoCAD courses in a variety of places.
Colleges and Universities
As AutoCAD is the most popular CAD software on the market, colleges and universities around the world often include AutoCAD courses for engineering and architecture students. Mastering the basics of AutoCAD is a requirement of most engineering programmes, which usually offer both in-person and online courses. The quality and scope of the courses depends on the level of education and academic prestige of the institution.
Vocational or Technical Schools
AutoCAD is not only useful for engineers and architects, but also for technicians, draftsmen and those specialising in 2D and 3D design. Technical schools tend to offer AutoCAD courses to train their students in the basics of the software. These courses are often industry-orientated, guiding technicians in their field of work, and are a useful tool for teaching spatial reasoning and developing problem-solving skills.
Private Training Companies
Certified AutoCAD users and CAD professionals often use their knowledge to set up private courses and become instructors, offering their own insights and tips on how to use the software’s tools. These courses are common in major cities and educational centres and rely heavily on their reputation to attract students. Some also offer guidance in preparing for AutoCAD certification exams.
AutoCAD Communities
The CAD community is continuously growing, and many AutoCAD users like to offer free courses or tips to the community through the Autodesk platform and social media, including Reddit and Facebook communities, and YouTube channels. This helps to make the learning process more accessible for everyone and allows the creation of a more united and sharing community. However, the information provided through these communities is not always completely accurate.
Trade Associations
Some private professional associations offer AutoCAD courses to their members to promote education and specialised training that is useful for their niche. They may also form alliances with training centres to provide the training.
Autodesk Authorized Training Centers
Autodesk has authorised more than 208 centres on five continents to help students prepare for certification exams in AutoCAD and other Autodesk software products, including Inventor, Revit and Fusion 360. These centres also act as Autodesk agents to administer the certification exams and provide support throughout the process. Prices for certification exams and courses vary by country and demand.
Choosing the Best AutoCAD Course
Choosing the best AutoCAD course can be overwhelming, with a plethora of options available online, in person and as a form of hybrid learning. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses. Online courses offer the greatest flexibility and cost-effectiveness, but may lack interaction with instructors and peers and have limited access to software and tools. In-person courses provide a hands-on learning experience with access to software and tools and interaction with instructors and peers, but may have limited flexibility in scheduling and may cost more. Hybrid courses offer the best of both worlds, but at a higher cost.
Before committing to a particular AutoCAD course, it’s important to consider your learning style, the level of expertise you require and whether certification is necessary. Although there are many online options available, it’s important to invest in a comprehensive course if you need intermediate to advanced training. Always choose a course provider that is certified as an Autodesk Authorised Training Centre for quality assurance.
