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Computer Aided Design (CAD) Basics

Get up to speed with CAD drafting with tutorials and free CAD programs

By Katherine Kay
Industry and manufacturing use computer-aided design to model the sleek lines of a car, the structure of your favorite chair or design of your kitchen mixer. Industrial computer aided design is easy to learn and it's necessary and popular in industry. A CAD design company is always on the lookout for a good CAD designer. Manufacturing companies always need the services of CAD firms or freelancers. Learn computer aided design (CAD) basics and you will always be in demand.

CAD software is what CAD services use for 3D visualization of products on a computer screen. With a few commands, clicks and online brush strokes, the talented CAD operator can make a product come to life. Use the following to help you learn computer aided design (CAD) basics.

1. Find free downloads of CAD software.

2. Learn CAD with free tutorials while using your free software.

3. Freelance your new CAD skills.

 

Download a free computer aided design software program to try out, play with and learn

These programs will give you the opportunity to learn the basics with hands on experience. You can read about CAD and find tutorials, but you need the actual CAD software to learn the basics.
Try: CADDIT.net has free downloads of CAD software programs as well as online tutorials. Their program is a total mechanical engineering solution that is easy to use, compact and fast. Alibre also offers a free CAD program download that you can practice on and learn the basics. During this trial period, they let you download the professional design software for another 30 days of practice, and let you keep the first version forever.

Learn how to use CAD software with free tutorials and courses

Now that you have the software, the next thing you need is lessons to learn how to use it. Fortunately, there are people out on the web who have put together basic CAD courses and tutorials for you.
Try: My CADSITE has 48 free tutorials and some with videos. Alternatively, you can learn with a free download and a free online course. Try a CAD Basics course with introduction to CAD principles and intro and advanced examples and illustrations.

Freelance your services now that you know computer aided design (CAD) basics

You can keep learning the basics of CAD by using a computer aided design services website that connects the user and the buyer.
Try: CAD Ground has a wide variety of CAD projects available to freelance CAD designers. At iFreelance.com, you can find more CAD operator jobs. Start small and ask for small fees until you get the hang of it and master the basics.

 

  • As you continue with your basic 3D CAD services, collect and save your work for a portfolio. Thumb through your local yellow pages, call local CAD or engineering companies and ask about internships to gain valuable experience.

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