Welcome to the myCADsite blog.  In this section of the website, I will be providing links and news related to the CAD world.

My goal is to continue making myCADsite.com one of the best sources for AutoCAD knowledge on the web.  Thanks for visiting.

- Art Whitton – Owner, myCADsite.com

If you noticed that there are few updates lately, it’s because I’ve been back working for the past month.  My most recent CAD related jobs have been doing architectural surveys.  This where one or more people measure and draw a building.  In the past I have measured hotels, retail stores, parking lots, and other structures.  Depending up the size of the job, we might have 8 or people on a project.

But why I’m writing this post is that while I’ve been surveying, I’ve also been thinking about the visitors to myCADsite.  I wanted to write about what skills I use in this job, what commands I use and how AutoCAD is a big part of this process.  I’ve mentioned in other places that AutoCAD is a tool.  It’s just a tool in the toolbox that you develop as you learn new skills.  If you don’t have other skills, what you do with AutoCAD can be limited.

First let’s look at what I do before I start.  I will travel to new site, meet with the client or project manager, review the scope of work (what I need to draw) and start working.  Before I even start the computer up, I’ve needed to know how to travel efficiently (pack light, be on time, navigate airports, etc).  I’ve had to be able to communicate effectively by meeting with people and discovering what is needed for the project.  Finally, I’ve had to review documents and make sure that I understand 100% of what is needed.  These might seem like common, basic skills – but it’s amazing how many people have failed by this point. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since the iPhone came out, the world has gone crazy for “Apps”.  Apps are just programs or applications that enhance something you already have.  AutoCAD is an ‘app’ for drawing on your computer, just like a poker game would be an app for your iPhone.

With the release of AutoCAD 2012 came an “App Store” for your drawing needs.  It’s all part of the Autodesk Exchange window that pops up when you start a new session of AutoCAD.

Just click on the Apps tab at the top and you’ll find a whole world of help.  Just like the app stores for Apple and Android devices, some are free and some you’ll pay for.  I’m already on my favourite topic: Free stuff!  To get started, you can use the search tool to find things like free blocks.

A search for blocks shows that there are a lot of options, so you can then narrow down your search.

You’ll find about 3 pages of block libraries for sale.  Handy stuff!  What else is there to find?  Try a search for “LISP” and you’ll get a lot of results for AutoLISP routines.  AutoLISP, if you’re not familiar with it, is a native AutoCAD programming language that allows to customize and expand the capabilities of the program.

To get started you’ll need an Autodesk ID which you can get (if you don’t already have one) when you click on the Install button for an app.

Have fun, and if you install anything that you like, add a comment below and let us know.

Art  – CAD-guy@myCADsite.com

On myCADsite, I try to stay current with the most recent editions, but revising an entire site each year is very time consuming.  When a new versions is released, I need to check the Autodesk website to see what changes have been made, and how extreme they are.  Then comes the decision: Update the site or No Update?

What I’ve found is that about every 2 years the program has changed enough that I need to start reviewing the tutorials.  Since I began the site while using R14, there have been many changes to AutoCAD, but surprisingly few to the common 2D commands.  The new Array command in 2012 is the biggest change in recent years for a commonly used command.

The Line command has always been “L <enter>” as it should be.  Imagine if every AutoCAD user had to re-learn how to start the line command every year or two!  On the other hand, the icon for starting the Line command has changed over the years, and with the introduction of AutoCAD 2009, the ribbon changed the entire interface.  If you were used to looking for a Line button – things got very interesting. Read the rest of this entry »

Learning to use CAD is like any other skill.  It will help, but it’s not the whole package.  You need to draw on your background, or pick complementary skills to learn as well.  With CAD these days, there is a lot of competition as even high school kids learn it now.

What I mean is that if you ‘only’ have CAD as a skill, it will be tougher finding employment than if you have, for example, welding experience,  a construction background or some other trade to give supporting knowledge of what you will be drawing.

I got started with a 2 year course in Mechanical Design with a CAD/CAM option.  I did this when I was 35 years old and wasn’t used to the heavy load of studying.  I learned a lot about calculating stress in a design, what materials to use (and a lot more) – as well as drawing and programing in AutoCAD and Microstation.  It was a tough 2 years, but those of us that survived had no problem finding jobs. Read the rest of this entry »

This article is aimed for people that are new to the CAD world and wondering just what you can do with programs like AutoCAD.  I will explain some of the processes involved and the capabilities you have when you enter the CAD world.

Have you ever had to explain “CAD” to someone who isn’t computer literate?  I try to explain what kind of work I do to my Mom – and I always get the “deer in the headlights” look.  She’s never had a computer, so these are all foreign concepts.  But now, I’ve learned to say, “It just like drafting on paper, but with a computer”.  Simple enough, but it falls short of explaining the amazing progress that has been made in the CAD world.

When I first starting in CAD – it was 1995.  I decided to pick up a useful skill so I thought back to my school days and decided that the only class I really enjoyed was Drafting.  This was the old school paper kind of drafting that involved a lot erasing.  My other interest of note was computers.  I had sold a lot of the early Commodore, Texas Instruments and IBM computers.  So I put two and two together and was introduced to CAD.  Ooooh… this is COOL! Read the rest of this entry »