Any AutoCAD Designers Here?

[Julie Marie]

I was just wondering if there was anyone here who makes their living using AutoCAD?  I know a lot of us are in IT and other computer related fields.

I started doing AutoCAD a couple of years ago because our CAD department was too busy to help on the project I was assigned to design.  I had never used ACAD before.  I asked one of the operators, "How do you draw a line?"  And off I went!  Soon I was the designer for the project and found I really enjoyed it.  It was far better than being in the field, estimating or project managing.

If you use it at work, what version do you use, what type of work do you use it on, how much of your day is spent using the program.  No big deal, I was just wondering.

Julie

[HelenW]

In my previous job we used AutoCad 2000i then we switched to 3d CAD using Solid Works.  The job before that used AutoDesk's 3d CAD software, Inventor.

I liked Solid Works best out of all of them, foe what it's worth.

hugs & smiles
Emelye

[PolarBear]

I don't use any 3D programs for my work (I'm a helpdesk guy), but I just started looking into Blender, a free 3D program. It looks very interesting, and I'd love to get better in it and become good enough to make a living with it.
I still got a long way to go though!

Vincent

[Sandy]

I don't use any 3D programs for my work (I'm a helpdesk guy), but I just started looking into Blender, a free 3D program. It looks very interesting, and I'd love to get better in it and become good enough to make a living with it.
I still got a long way to go though!

Vincent

WOOT! WOOT!!
HIGHJACK ALERT! HIGHJACK ALERT!
WOOT! WOOT!!

Vincent, if you want to be a professional 3d animator, your best bet is to learn Maya, 3D Max, or Lightwave.  The skills that you will learn using Blender are similar in concept to most other 3d packages, but all the animation houses want people with experience in the main name packages.

Now these packages are exorbitant in price for the individual, but many have student or personal learning versions which allow you to get up to speed without hammering your checkbook.

Another moderately priced package is Hash's Animation Master.  A great package.

I've used blender and it's very powerful.  I don't think there is anything any of the other packages can do that blender can't.

Anyway, I now return the thread to Julie.

-Sandy

[Julie Marie]

I don't use any 3D programs for my work (I'm a helpdesk guy), but I just started looking into Blender, a free 3D program. It looks very interesting, and I'd love to get better in it and become good enough to make a living with it.
I still got a long way to go though!

Vincent

Now these packages are exorbitant in price for the individual, but many have student or personal learning versions which allow you to get up to speed without hammering your checkbook.

Anyway, I now return the thread to Julie.

-Sandy

Hijack continued...

The academic software sites will save you a bundle ($200 vs $2500 for Maya for instance) but you have to have a valid school ID to make the purchase.  I know for ACAD there is a "student version" stamp put on your drawings so you really can't use it for business purposes.  But it's a great way to learn the programs without making a big dollar committment.

ACAD MEP 2008, which is what I use, is pretty sophisticated in doing 3D drawings but is really for building construction.  I've created some other things but it's pretty time consuming.

What I do know is if you are really good with these programs, finding work shouldn't be much of a problem.  When I put out my resume and included my 3D experiences I got a lot of responses, even with construction in the pits.  It was only when they realized I was the "one who transitioned" that the interviewing process stopped.  My transition was the shot heard around the world of construction.

Okay, now I return the thread to me...

Julie

[PolarBear]

I don't use any 3D programs for my work (I'm a helpdesk guy), but I just started looking into Blender, a free 3D program. It looks very interesting, and I'd love to get better in it and become good enough to make a living with it.
I still got a long way to go though!

Vincent

Now these packages are exorbitant in price for the individual, but many have student or personal learning versions which allow you to get up to speed without hammering your checkbook.

Anyway, I now return the thread to Julie.

-Sandy

Hijack continued...

The academic software sites will save you a bundle ($200 vs $2500 for Maya for instance) but you have to have a valid school ID to make the purchase.  I know for ACAD there is a "student version" stamp put on your drawings so you really can't use it for business purposes.  But it's a great way to learn the programs without making a big dollar committment.

ACAD MEP 2008, which is what I use, is pretty sophisticated in doing 3D drawings but is really for building construction.  I've created some other things but it's pretty time consuming.

What I do know is if you are really good with these programs, finding work shouldn't be much of a problem.  When I put out my resume and included my 3D experiences I got a lot of responses, even with construction in the pits.  It was only when they realized I was the "one who transitioned" that the interviewing process stopped.  My transition was the shot heard around the world of construction.

Okay, now I return the thread to me...

Julie

Thank you both for the tips!

I work for a college, so I looked into if I could buy a 3D-program for a discount, and I can.
I can buy the student version of AutoCad 2009 for a meager 56 euros, but it works for only 13 months after install.
For now I think I will continue to practice with Blender, and when I am somewhat proficient in that, I will look into which 3D-program I will learn. It all depends on what I want to do with it, I guess. Autocad for buildings, Maya or somesuch for 3D animation and the more creative stuff.

Yet again the thread goes to you, Julie Marie!


Vincent