Discover the Best AutoCAD Classes Near Me
AutoCAD is the most popular computer-aided design (CAD) software on the market. Millions of professionals across the globe use AutoCAD to create architectural, construction, and engineering blueprints, schematics, and models. This powerful and collaborative software can design nearly anything—from a simple stapler to a twin-engine jet—in detail and to scale. In fact, the chair you’re sitting in right now was probably designed using AutoCAD.
With these vital skills, you can pursue a career in various fields, including architecture, interior design, drafting, manufacturing, film and entertainment, engineering, and more. In addition, AutoCAD is a valuable skill to add to your resume and can help set you apart in your job search and boost your salary potential. You can even use your AutoCAD skills to start a furniture design side hustle or 3D printing hobby. However you choose to use your AutoCAD skills, you can be sure several live online and in-person courses are available to meet your needs.
Best AutoCAD Classes & Schools
AutoCAD Bootcamp at Noble Desktop, 185 Madison Ave., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016
This hands-on AutoCAD Bootcamp includes the curriculum from Noble’s beginner and intermediate classes. First, you’ll learn from industry experts basic drawing and modifying techniques for drafting and technical drawing and create drawings that can be used to build real-life mechanical and architectural objects. Next, you’ll learn how to create a 2D drawing with basic tools and move on to more advanced AutoCAD techniques. This interactive training takes place in a small group setting and includes a free retake within a year.
Prerequisites: This course is for beginners 18 and older and is designed for PC users. Computers are provided for in-person attendees. Mac users may attend online, but be aware the interface differs from the PC version the instructor will use in class.
Duration: 10, 7-hour sessions
Cost: $949
AutoCAD Level 1 at Noble Desktop, 185 Madison Ave., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016
If you want to build a strong foundation of basic skills, explore AutoCAD Level 1. This course covers AutoCAD’s tools for drawing, editing, and printing. You’ll learn to make text, create dimensional drawings, insert blocks, and work with layers and templates.
Prerequisites: This course is for beginners 18 and older and is designed for PC users. Computers are provided for in-person attendees. Mac users may attend online, but be aware the interface differs from the PC version the instructor will use in class.
Duration: Six 3-hour sessions
Cost: $599
AutoCAD Workshop at e+i Studio, 2 E Broadway #906 at Catherine St., New York, NY 10038
The AutoCAD Workshop introduces you to AutoCAD, featuring a concise overview of the interface and essential drafting and editing commands. You’ll work with guides for precision, layers, model/paper space, and viewports.
Prerequisites: No prior knowledge is required for this beginner class, 18 years and over. You will need to bring a laptop with AutoCAD installed (preferably a PC) or have the option to use the school’s computer for a fee of $50.
Duration: One 4-hour session
Cost: $471.50
AutoCAD for Novice Users at ONLC Training Centers, 10940 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1600, Santa
Monica, California 90024 (Live training held at a computer lab via remote instructor)
AutoCAD for Novice Users is a 5-day course for students with no CAD, drafting, or architectural design experience. This class covers core topics of AutoCAD and moves on to more advanced tools, enabling students to progress from beginner to skilled users in a week.
Prerequisites: No prior working knowledge of CAD software is required for this class. However, knowledge of the Windows operating system is required. For those with prior CAD, drafting, or architectural experience, you can take the 3-day version of this class instead. This course is for PC users only and not designed for AutoCAD for Mac software or hardware.
Duration: Five 7-hour sessions
Cost: $2,495
AutoCAD 3D Drawing and Modeling at ONLC Training Centers, 10940 Wilshire Blvd Ste. 1600, Santa Monica, California 90024 (Live training held at a computer lab via remote instructor)
If you’ve already mastered AutoCAD’s 2D commands and are ready for 3D, check out AutoCAD 3D Drawing and Modeling. This hands-on course explores the main features of the advanced 3D Modeling workspace in AutoCAD. You’ll learn how to work with simple and composite solids, create sections, set up drawing for 3D Prints, and more.
Prerequisites: Students should have a good working skill level in AutoCAD software (minimum of 80 hours).
Duration: Three 7-hour sessions
Cost: $1,495
AutoCAD in a Day (Online)
NYC Career Centers
Do you like the idea of learning AutoCAD in a Day? Then, check out this intro course, where you’ll learn basic drawing and modifying techniques for drafting and technical drawing. You’ll use AutoCAD to create drawings for building mechanical and architectural objects and learn to insert blocks, make text, create dimensional drawings, and work with layers and templates.
Equipment requirements: Students will need access to an internet device with a microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a copy of any required software. You can download a free 30-day trial or purchase a subscription at Autodesk if you don’t have AutoCAD. The class takes place via Zoom with a live remote instructor.
Prerequisites: This course is for beginners 18 and older and is designed for PC users. Mac users may attend online, but be aware the AutoCAD interface differs from the PC version the instructor will use in class.
Duration: One 7-hour session
Cost: $325
AutoCAD Level 1(Online)
Technical Institute of America
This AutoCAD Level 1 course is for beginners or students with limited AutoCAD experience. You’ll learn the fundamental commands and how to create drawings using a variety of shapes using many of the AutoCAD tools. In addition, you’ll learn from expert instructors how to make the process of creating drawings fast and easy.
Equipment requirements: Students will need a computer with a reliable internet connection. The class takes place via Zoom with a live remote instructor.
Prerequisites: This course is for beginners 18 and older.
Duration: Three 7.5-hour sessions
Cost: $749
AutoCAD Level II (Online)
Noble Desktop
Are you ready to take your AutoCAD skills to new heights? AutoCAD Level II builds upon your fundamental skills by creating more advanced and technical projects. You’ll learn from industry experts how to create templates with defined layouts for printing sheets, work with tracking points and construction lines, create data tables, and more.
Equipment requirements: Students will need access to an internet device with a microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a copy of any required software. You can download a free 30-day trial or purchase a subscription at Autodesk if you don’t have AutoCAD. The class takes place via Zoom with a live remote instructor.
Prerequisites: This course is for intermediate students and is designed for PC users. Mac users may attend online, but be aware the AutoCAD interface differs from the PC version the instructor will use in class.
Duration: Four 3-hour sessions
Cost: $449
Advanced AutoCAD (Online)
NYC Career Centers
Would you like to create your own AutoCAD tools to accelerate your workflow on the job? Then, check out Advanced AutoCAD, where you’ll learn advanced blocks and attributes and how to use other tools to collaborate. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to customize the AutoCAD user interface to fit your needs.
Equipment requirements: Students will need access to an internet device with a microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a copy of any required software. You can download a free 30-day trial or purchase a subscription at Autodesk if you don’t have AutoCAD. The class takes place via Zoom with a live remote instructor.
Prerequisites: This course is for advanced students 18 years and older and is for PC users only.
Duration: Three 7-hour sessions
Cost: $749
Industries That Use AutoCAD
AutoCAD is an essential tool for professionals working in a wide variety of industries. It has long been the CAD software of choice for millions of individuals worldwide. AutoCAD’s versatility and user-friendly interface make it a preferred software in many sectors. Here are some industries where AutoCAD skills are in high demand:
Architecture
AutoCAD is used extensively in the world of architecture. Architects use AutoCAD to create comprehensive floor plans and 3D renderings of structures like office buildings, residential homes, and outdoor landscapes. In addition, the software can analyze a building’s many parts and calculate the load levels of support structures. AutoCAD also has features for doors, piping, wiring spaces, renovation, and floor planning. AutoCAD’s versatility allows architects to collaborate easily with other professionals in the construction industry.
Engineering
Engineers use AutoCAD to produce designs and specifications for a wide range of items, such as car engines, elevators, bridges, highways, and even electrical grids in a city. In addition, AutoCAD enables engineers to run simulations to test how designs will perform in real-world situations. Engineering careers where AutoCAD skills are most needed include Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, and Industrial Engineers.
Construction
AutoCAD plays a critical role in the construction industry by allowing professionals to create detailed drawings to help visualize structures. In addition, AutoCAD helps construction companies facilitate project planning, coordination, and communication between multiple Contractors.
Drafting
Drafters use AutoCAD to convert designs (created by Architects and Engineers) into technical drawings and blueprints. These drawings and blueprints are used to develop structures, machines, or tools. In addition, AutoCAD enables the designs to be easily reworked and improved before delivering the final result. The most common drafting positions include Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, and Architectural Drafters.
Design
Interior and Industrial Designers use AutoCAD to create 2D models and 3D renderings of their design plans, using its extensive libraries and templates. Interior Designers use AutoCAD to produce detailed images of interior spaces with design ideas for color schemes, furniture placement, and more. AutoCAD even features a library of over 8,000 household objects that can be used to design interior areas. Industrial Designers use the software to create designs for manufactured products ranging from baby bottles to can openers to trucks. The job of an Industrial Designer is to create products that are functional but also attractive to users. AutoCAD enables designers to develop a prototype for testing its functionality and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the recent expansion of additive manufacturing—or 3D printing—has dramatically increased the demand for AutoCAD skills. Since 3D printing relies on the development of CAD models to guide printers, it’s driving job growth across many manufacturing industries.
Urban Planning & Development
AutoCAD is used in urban planning departments to design city infrastructure, zoning maps, transportation plans, land use projects, and outdoor green spaces. AutoCAD’s powerful collaboration and documentation tools allow design and development teams to collaborate on complex projects.
Aerospace & Aviation
Engineers use AutoCAD to design aircraft components, structures, and systems. When one aircraft can have as many as a million individual parts, AutoCAD comes in handy to assist with creating detailed drawings, visualizing complex assemblies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Film & Entertainment
AutoCAD has many uses in the entertainment industry, including game development, film, television, and video production. The software is often used in set and prop design and to create immersive experiences and visual effects at theme parks.
AutoCAD Jobs & Salaries
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 105,000 people are working as
Architectural and Civil Drafters in the U.S. today. Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software like AutoCAD to create drawings and technical models of building designs, blueprints, and plans. These designs can be either 2D or 3D and are used by Construction Workers, Architects, and Engineers to create real-life structures.
Texas, California, Florida, and New York are the U.S. states with the highest employment rates for Drafters. The median salary for this profession is $60,00 annually or $29 an hour, with wages varying state by state. States with the highest-paying salaries in this field include Washington D.C., Louisiana, Alaska, and Maryland. Washington D.C. tops out as the state with the highest paying salary of $77,000 annually.
If you hope to pursue a drafting career in a major U.S. city, you’ll find the most opportunities in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. The cities with the highest paying salaries for Drafters include New Orleans, Reno, Anchorage, San Francisco, and Baton Rouge. Wages across the country can vary widely, with New Orleans topping the chart at $82,000 annually, in contrast to a city like Lancaster, PA, which averages about $54,000 annually.
The typical entry-level education for a Drafter is an associate’s degree. The U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that drafting jobs will slightly decline by 3 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite declining employment, about 18,900 job openings are projected each year over the decade, mostly to replace workers who change careers or retire.
Another career to pursue with AutoCAD skills is Interior Designer. These professionals use AutoCAD to plan and design the interior space of rooms or buildings. The mean annual salary for Interior Designers in the U.S. is $67,000 or $32 an hour. About 64,000 individuals nationwide are employed as Interior Designers, with the highest concentration in California, New York, and Florida. , Massachusetts, and California are the top-paying states for this position. In fact, Interior Designers in the nation’s capital make nearly $89,000 annually, in contrast to the $54,000 average salary earned in Sarasota, FL, for the same position.
Suppose you hope to pursue an Interior Design career in a metropolitan area. In that case, the most opportunities are available in the New York-Jersey City area, Los Angeles-Long Beach area, and Chicago. Of those three areas, LA tops the list for the highest pay, with an average salary of nearly $77,000 annually.
The typical entry-level education for an Interior Designer is a bachelor’s degree. The U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that interior design positions will remain unchanged from 2021 to 2031. Despite no significant growth in employment numbers, about 8,200 job openings are projected each year over the decade, mostly to replace workers who change careers or retire.
What Will I Need to Learn AutoCAD?
If you take an in-person AutoCAD course, schools usually provide computers onsite equipped with the appropriate software for you to use during class. However, if you opt for the live online learning route, you must provide your own system-compatible computer and download a free trial of AutoCAD or buy a subscription for the software. Many schools offer virtual tech support to ensure you have the proper setup to start learning at home. Read on to learn more about setting up AutoCAD on your own.
AutoCAD Subscription
You can purchase an AutoCAD subscription or download a free 30-day trial at the Autodesk website. An individual subscription costs $245 monthly, $1,955 yearly, or $5,865 for three years. Alternatively, you can purchase Autodesk Flex, a pay-as-you-go option featuring a token system. As a subscription alternative, you can buy tokens to access the software for 24 hours at a time for around $3 per token. This choice is optimal for team members or individuals who want to try out the product or only need occasional access. The type of subscription you choose will depend on whether you buy it for student, individual, or business use. Financing options are available at Autodesk.
System Requirements
You may need to upgrade your computer or laptop since AutoCAD requires significant processing and disk space to run efficiently. Be sure to review Autodesk’s system requirements to run AutoCAD on Windows and Mac computers. Also, it’s important to note some experts recommend running AutoCAD on a Windows system rather than Mac for maximum performance, although it can function on both systems.
Windows System Requirements for AutoCAD 2024
- Processor: 2.5-2.9 GHz required; 3+ GHz recommended
- Memory: 8 GB required; 32 GB or higher recommended
- Display Resolution:
- Conventional: 1920 x 1080 w/True Color
- High Resolution & 4K Displays: Up to 3840 x 2160
- Disk space: 10 GB
Mac System Requirements for AutoCAD 2024
- Processor: 2.5-2.9 GHz required; 3+ GHz recommended
- Memory: 4 GB required; 8 GB recommended
- Display Resolution:
- Basic 1200 x 800 display
- High Resolution 2880 x 1800 w/Retina Display
- Disk space: 6 GB for download and installation
Is it Difficult to Learn AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a complex software with many powerful features and tools. While it may appear daunting, learning AutoCAD is well within your reach with the proper training and persistence. Because it has so many uses, there are many parts of AutoCAD to understand. But remember, there are tools in the software you may never use, so just start with the basics and don’t worry about learning every feature.
Before starting your AutoCAD training, research online blogs or tutorials to get an overview of the software and familiarize yourself with 3D modeling. Doing some simple legwork will give you a headstart on your AutoCAD learning journey. There are several ways to learn the software, but experts agree the best option is to take a structured course with an experienced instructor. Plus, in-person or live online courses provide immediate instructor feedback and valuable opportunities to collaborate and network with peers. You’re also more likely to learn the most up-to-date and accurate information in a class led by an expert instructor instead of an online tutorial created by an unknown source. In addition, you may find staying focused and on track easier when following an organized course. Most importantly, be sure not to get discouraged when you start your training. With commitment and practice, you’ll soon join the millions of people worldwide using AutoCAD daily.
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