CAD course

[toolboxstickers]

I`m a light aircraft engineer bored with hanger routine. I`d like to get into computer aided design, but don`t know where to start. Can anyone suggest the best course to go on or qualification to get, please? Is there anything specifically aimed at aerospace designers? Thanks.:bored:

[Loose rivets]

When I owned a CAD company, much to my annoyance, technical collages and the like started to teach it for free.(Ish) Have you checked for night school courses etc? However, this cheap route into CAD has devalued the skill somewhat.

Starting with a simple program like TurboCAD is possible from home--without much help. Conversion onto AutoCAD will then be a question of ‘differences.'

[Cool_Hand]

From the companies I've worked in the main weapon of choice is CATIA v5, v 4 is used a lot, but is slowly being replaced with v.5 and the differences are so significant that you're better off with v.5.

I know you're looking at getting into CAD, but is desiging what you really want? or just a way into the offices? another option may be stressing. But that does depend on your qualifications.

The biggest problem you will face is a lot of places want so many years of experience on a system rather than a qualification in a system. Look at the larger manufacturers and see if you can get in on the ground floor as a designer then they will pay for all of your training. I know BAE are getting desperate for designers, maybe they would be a good starting point?

But the systems most commonally in use are:

CATIA v4 and v5
Pro-Engineer
Solidworks

and to a limited extent AutoCAD.