Quick Auto CAD Refresher?

[FellowPazzini]

Got a job interview on Friday for a CAD job and I've been out of work for a year and a half now so I'm pretty desperate to get it. Not continually used AutoCAD software properly for about 13 years but have worked on Microstation throughout since then. Don't think it will take long to get back into the swing of things, possibly a week or 2 but I would much prefer to hit the ground running.

As per the title then, what's the best way to refresh my mind of all the usual basics involved with AutoCAD?

Thanks

[Odie]

Download the trial and have a play.

[FellowPazzini]

Don't even have the software & was just looking into that, thanks. It seems there's many many versions of CAD nowadays lol.

[shirt]

going from microstation to autocad, prepare to be frustrated! completely crap interface in comparison, it makes you wonder why it's the market leader.

[Odie]

ive never tried microstation. Is it easy to got AutoCAD to Microstation?

[FellowPazzini]

Managed to get it installed and fully up and running. Jeez straight away I remembered just how incredibly booorrring it all is. The AutoCAD software itself has changed allot since I last went on it, now it has plenty of tabs (maybe too many) for all the commands so I probably won't even have to remember any commands you need to type into the command box. I'll try and find a few basic videos on you tube or something to refresh my mind but for the majority I think it'll be a case of getting up to speed with it all more than anything else.

@Odie I'm talking back in R13/10 & MS V7 days but yes the conversion was pretty simple, took a little getting used to but then when you did it seemed a little harder to get back into AutoCAD.

Thanks

[liamsp]

I started on Autocad 2005 lt & went on a microstation course for Autocad users made the transition easier. Personal preference Autocad is better but this is down to the individual.

[a boardman]

FellowPazzini said:

Managed to get it installed and fully up and running. Jeez straight away I remembered just how incredibly booorrring it all is. The AutoCAD software itself has changed allot since I last went on it, now it has plenty of tabs (maybe too many) for all the commands so I probably won't even have to remember any commands you need to type into the command box. I'll try and find a few basic videos on you tube or something to refresh my mind but for the majority I think it'll be a case of getting up to speed with it all more than anything else.

@Odie I'm talking back in R13/10 & MS V7 days but yes the conversion was pretty simple, took a little getting used to but then when you did it seemed a little harder to get back into AutoCAD.

Thanks

you can change to the classic view, a drop box in the top menu shows which layout you are using,

use the tools - customize - edit Program Parameters to change keyboard settings,

Selection Cycling (ctrl +w) - can be useful if you have lines crossing as it allows you to pick which element you need if a few overlap.

and if you are using Autcoad structural detailing good luck in finding information on it.

[Grayham]

a boardman said:

you can change to the classic view, a drop box in the top menu shows which layout you are using,

use the tools - customize - edit Program Parameters to change keyboard settings,

Selection Cycling (ctrl +w) - can be useful if you have lines crossing as it allows you to pick which element you need if a few overlap.

and if you are using Autcoad structural detailing good luck.

Slight edit for accuracy

[Engineer1]

Don't forget AutoCAD is Computer Aided Hindered Draughting, there are silly things that it will do it's way and you have to adapt to it.

[a boardman]

Grayham said:

Slight edit for accuracy

I have some success with it for rc detailing yet to try the steel side of it, but that should change when I get back into work after my holiday.

[lord summerisle]

shirt said:

going from microstation to autocad, prepare to be frustrated! completely crap interface in comparison, it makes you wonder why it's the market leader.

i went to a practice a few years ago that was fully Microstation - could not stand that program, had to do a weeks trainning at Bentley - handed my notice in at the end of the 3 month probationary period.

very frustraiting to use.

there is a slow move toward Revit atm within the Architectural world, which is a different kettle of fish to Autocad, having been using it on and off (have tried redrawings various projects in Revit, but it requires a different way of thinking about the building)

[shirt]

i liked microstation as once you customize it you candrive the whole thing from the mouse and numerical keypad. i hate relying on commands as when i am drafting i like to lean back and get comfy. the snaps on MS are also a boon.

tbh, i think 2D is dead in the mechanical world beyond P&ID's and simple schematics. can still see the benefit for electrical [3D not required] and architectural [3D too overblown for a one off design].

[Ebo100]

FellowPazzini said:

Managed to get it installed and fully up and running. Jeez straight away I remembered just how incredibly booorrring it all is. The AutoCAD software itself has changed allot since I last went on it, now it has plenty of tabs (maybe too many) for all the commands so I probably won't even have to remember any commands you need to type into the command box. I'll try and find a few basic videos on you tube or something to refresh my mind but for the majority I think it'll be a case of getting up to speed with it all more than anything else.

@Odie I'm talking back in R13/10 & MS V7 days but yes the conversion was pretty simple, took a little getting used to but then when you did it seemed a little harder to get back into AutoCAD.

Thanks

I've moved backwards and forwards between Microstation J /SE & V8 and Autocad over the years and don't find the transition to taxing. As said previously things are done slightly differently between the two. I have bought a couple of books in the past from Amazon for Microstation that help in those periods of brain fade. I also have an electronic copy of "Autocad for dummies" on a memory stick at work I can send you if you want to PM me. I have found that Autocad basically hasn't changed much in the way you do your basic draughting, all the commands you used in the past will still work, the new versions just look prettier.

[TopCAD]

I am an AutoCAD user, have been for 4 years now, I find it great and all I use is commands, I don't use the tabs really, makes work a lot quicker.

As someone else said I have AutoCAD for dummies on PDF that i can send if you want it. Along with Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D.

What industry is it you work in? And good luck with the interview!

[a boardman]

Been using Autocad for around 20 years now use revit structures as well.

[davethebunny]

One good thing the latest version has is a dropdown box for commands once you start typing. Useful if you can't quite remember the exact command.

For building buildings though, its all going BIM, so ACAD architectural/ MEP etc is moving to Revit, which couldn't work more differently to ACAD if it tried. We're going through the transition at work ATM and it's hard.

[FellowPazzini]

Thanks for all your input Didn't have much time yesterday so I'm going through a decent set of basic tutorials on You Tube which are pretty useful http://www.youtube.com/user/cadvideotutorials .

I have been drawing 2D and only touched on 3D a hand full of times, the industry is Rail. Not even sure what version of CAD the company is using but I'm sure it's not too far from 2012. Originally I applied for a job for a new Tram system (which I didn't even get to the interview stage) but luckily another manager has come across my CV & would like to see me more for the electrical side of things rather than mechanical.

Thanks for the Dummy book offers btw, I'm sure I could find a copy if need be

[lord summerisle]

The thing with AutoCAD is that you can customise the workspace to how ever you like it.

personally i hate the ribbon, and prefer to use toolbar Icons and text commands, with a fair few custom command icons which save time when its a long command to write - and a couple of clicks and i can get it back to how i like it.

There was a rather sarcasic post from one of the AutoDesk bods on one of the Blogs telling you how to revert the look of the program back to R14.

When you get a layout you like, type 'cui', and save your workspace as a custom file - then you can take it to the office and load this into your workstation and have Acad how you know it immediatly.