I need a starting point. Please!

Tinman

I finally made a commitment to learning CAD. I bought Visio and got an entire library of hydronic stencils from a friend in the industry. I have zero experience in CAD. None. But I'm determined to learn it. I don't have the luxury of taking classes at the local college because of my current work schedule.

If someone has a resource that they've used, whether it's a book(s) or a video, could you please share that with me? Maybe a contact they can refer me to? I do ok in MS Word and Excel but this doesn't seem to be as intuitive, leaning wise. I literally don't know where to start.

Thanks.

hot_rod

do you have a community college nearby?

We have a local independent Apple reseller nearby.
They will teach a class on about any computer topic. They did a 2 hr class for Ellen and me on i-phone tips and tricks.

Craigslist may have folks that offer specific training, or a local library.

Remember, Caleffi has a lot of Visio stencils on our website, hydronic and electrical. You see them in the back of every Idronics.

bask691979

This is kind of trickie depending on why you bought the program. If your trying to do 3D modeling and more advanced drawings you have no choice but to go to school. If your looking to just do basic object drawings without drawing the interior of an object just play around with it for an hour a night. You'll pickup in a few weeks.

Leon82

Check YouTube. I know there's solid works and mastercam videos there. There may even be some by the software company

CLamb

Where are you? There are a lot of different way to learn like videos, books, and classes. It depends on your learning style. There are a few free programs. Of these my favorites are LibreCAD for 2D and FreeCAD for 3D. If you want to learn any of the major packages you'll find they are pricey. If you do take a course at a local community college you can likely qualify for a considerable academic discount.

Leon82

If its a Microsoft product there are some on youtube


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcDamcoYZw8&list=PLTtplW6mJ7fWSIvHScqHCkaA4T0HhaWU-

Leon82

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYcXPSFsnGo

Tinman

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm not looking to do any 3D modeling. I currently draw all of our piping and electrical schematics. Every job is documented that way. I simply want to save on the amount of time doing all of this takes and to have something slightly more professional.

Zman

I have been doing a lot of plan review and project management work and have come to like the simplicity of Bluebeam Revu.

You can download additional toolbars that have most hvac and electrical symbols.

You can also grab and resize anything from other PDFs.
Building your own symbols and saving it to your toolbar is pretty slick.
Being able to measure,modify and comment on electronic plans is awesome.
You can send out an RFI with a very clear and professional proposed solution.
You can use it for 30 days for free.

mars_6

I also have found Bluebeam Revu. To be most heelpfull, it is a very flexible platform to work on.

Tinman

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out.

Mark Eatherton

Piotr (PEE ought-rah) Zelasko with (now) Porter Pipe and Supply is THE best person I know of on Visio. He too has an extensive library of symbols, etc. I've often thought that he should patent his symbols and drawings.

Tell him I said hello.

ME

Tinman

Yes, I don't know why I didn't think of that! We're friends. I have many renditions of his CAD drawings. What's really remarkable is how he can hand draw a schematic in 2 minutes that looks like it was computer generated. Absolutely perfect!

Tinman

@Mark Eatherton Thanks for the reminder, Mark. We're meeting tomorrow morning.