AutoCAD is the world's leading computer aided design application and it is used by more than 70% of all CAD operators. AutoCAD training has become a requirement for the vast majority of engineers, architects and designers. Without adequate training in AutoCAD, it is very difficult to get positions and contracts that pay a professional wage. Modern design professionals can get AutoCAD training from a wide variety of sources. This article reviews some of the best common training options.

Choosing Between Instructor-Led Training and Student-Driven Instruction

Professionals who need AutoCAD training need to decide what style of instruction suits them best.

Traditional Instructor-Led training involves a teacher delivering lectures to students and demonstrating techniques for students to try. The value of this training is determined by how well the instructor covers material that will be of use to a given design professional, the size of the class, and the quality of the workstation used for training. Other factors that may impact the training include the speed with which training is delivered and the help given to users as they train.

Student-Driven instruction, most often delivered via the web, book, CD or DVD, is pre-packaged AutoCAD training in the form of step by step tutorials which are undertaken by professionals working on their own. These instructional tools are frequently created by highly qualified instructors who have specifically designed their materials to lead design professionals through a very comprehensive course in the Autocad. Designers that use these tools to train determine the speed at which they learn AutoCAD, perhaps even electing to skip exercises that are not relevant to their job requirements. The value of this training is determined by the quality and relevance of the training material, the general technical proficiency of the designer, and the designer's desire to learn the application.

For professionals who are motivated to learn on their own, who are technically competent enough to follow a series of step by step instructions on their computer, and who want to be able to control the skills they master and speed at which they learn, student-driven instruction is a reasonable training choice.

Where to Find Training

Those seeking instructor-led AutoCAD training should visit the Autodesk website. Autodesk Authorized Training Centers and AutoCAD Dealers provide some of the best AutoCAD training available. Alternative sources for AutoCAD training include community colleges, trade schools and consultants.

Those seeing student-driven AutoCAD training should search for AutoCAD books, training CDs/DVDs and training sites through Amazon and Google. They will find literally hundreds of these tools in a wide variety of languages.

A Final Note

No matter where a design professional gets AutoCAD training, they must confirm that the training they receive is for the release of AutoCAD they use. Autodesk releases a new version of AutoCAD ever year or so, and training in AutoCAD 2007 is not the best choice for a user working with AutoCAD 2005.

About the Author

Nancy Fulton is an AutoCAD trainer and developer. You can find out more about her, and review hundreds of free tutorials she's written for AutoCAD and other Autodesk applications by visiting complete-support.com.