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If I want to invent things, what do I major in?

Is Auto-Cad a good software to learn if I am the type of person who love to invent?

  • I'm thinking about learning to use the program AutoCad. It's looks somewhat difficult to learn, the book for beginner is about 1,500 pages. I haven't even counted the workbook and references. Anyhow, it will be learned if AutoCad is proved useful. To all of the AutoCad users out there, do you think it's a good program to learn if I am the type of person who loves to customize things and or invent something? For example, I would like to build a desk but lack the skill of a handyman. Don’t want to buy the desk because I dislike the designs. I would like to use AutoCad to create a blueprint of the designs and then send it off to a company that will help me cut, sand, and paint all of the materials for me and then all I would need to do is put it together. Will AutoCad help me do this? If I am wrong, then what is AutoCad use for? Please help.

  • Answer:

    I've used AutoCad professionally, and IMHO it's a bit steep in price for less than very high volume work. Also, even if your drawings are done in Autocad, the company building your desk will often want drawings done in "industry standard" formats so their workers can understand you drawing with the minimum number of phone calls for explanations, etc. I'd recommend that you take a beginners' course in Autocad at a community college in your area. That way you'll pick up the core basics of CAD (and drafting standards in general) quickly, you can get any questions answered from a real live person, and you'll be able to get pointers on other lower cost drafting software from the instructor. ------- Autocad (and CAD programs in general) are a whole lot better than the old manual "pencil and paper" "drawing board" methods (been there, etc.), as a time saver, especially for very detailed or large (buildings, cars) projects. But even with CAD, you still have to be able to convey the required information to the shop making your stuff - which is why I still recommend taking the course from a real person who should have a handle on real-world requirements for drawings.

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AutoCAD is a bit difficult to learn, but not impossible. I think is not the very best if you want to build something. In Autocad is best to start fron a 2D drawing and after translate it into 3D. A better software and more suitable is Catia (is more expensive). If you are an inventive guy this is the path to follow. Good luck!

dan_negulescu

auto CAD is a pretty expensive program first off, even the LT version. also, learning it can be alot of trouble. they have schools dedicated to this. if you just want to design a desk there are probably easier ways. while you could use it for that, it's usually used for much larger industrial designs.

Z

Auto Cad is a great system and the basic comands that you need to learn to use the system are relatively simple. I would recomend it. It also helps to know auto cad when you decide to upgrade and use 3d modeling systems such as UG4 or Catia.

Herb J

Yes it can be used for that and the time required to learn AutoCad to that extent shouldn't be too long. I learned to use it for electrical engineering schematics in a couple of days. Just keep plugging away little dude...

Quetzalcotl

Why limit yourself to desks? If you take a course to learn the program you will probably come up with all sorts of ideas of things to design. Taking the course will help train your mind and also be something you can use on your resume for finding a job. I say go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Happy inventing.

galacticsleigh

No, it's not. Autocad, Unigraphics, and all the other Cad/Cam programs are used by drafters to implement designs that were created by someone else. If you want to do the original work of creating the invention, then you probably want to be the engineer or scientist who tells the drafter what to draw.

Mister Nice Guy

AutoCAD is okay; only 2D things can be done. If I were you, I woud try to find classes that teach Inventor or IDEAS. These 3D modeling programs are amazing. They allow you to design the object and view it in 3D, which gives you the ability to look at the object from all angles. Through IDEAS, you can also apply stresses to the object and see how it reacts, which allows to fine-tune your idea. Lastly, the 3D images can be placed in 2D perspective when you want to submit it to someone. I really recommend it.

twin_vector_turbo

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