Becoming a CADD user

First, some clarification. CADD stands for Computer Aided Drafting and Design. Often you will see the acronym CAD which stands for Computer Aided Design. I will use CADD throughout this article.

AutoCAD and Land Desktop Development are products of Autodesk Incorporated. This is the software that New York NRCS is licensed to use.

A little history

Many of the NRCS and SWCD staff who use CADD software became involved with it during the middle 1990s when the original group of CADD and Electronic Surveying systems were purchased by New York NRCS.

After deciding which offices would receive new systems, a user at each office was identified. In many offices two users were identified. The idea being that one person became skilled at the newly purchased Electronic Surveying equipment while the other focused on the CADD software, although overlapping knowledge would be required.

These individuals formed the New York State CADD Cadre. These were staff members who would begin to utilize the equipment to assist with their engineering designs. Cadre members were targeted for training in the use, management and care of the systems. They would share their knowledge and experience amongst each other and with staff who would also adopt the technologies as the interest and need for them grew. Some of the cadre members had prior work experience with CADD and Electronic Surveying equipment or had received training. Some members had seen the benefits of the technologies and were interested in becoming users.

The cadre approach worked well. Although it no longer exists, the original members are still users who provide assistance and training to New York NRCS and SWCD staff, including staff in other states.

Interest in these technologies continues to grow as evidenced by the increased number of licenses purchased though the years by NRCS and SWCD offices. With more licenses came more users and the need for training.

Things to consider if you are interested in becoming a CADD user

The methods of learning CADD vary widely and are different for everyone. A number of factors may determine which method is best for you. They include the rate at which you learn, the level of knowledge you require for your job and/or personal satisfaction and the amount of time you are willing and able to commit to the learning process. The availability of training and the costs certainly come into play.

As the New York NRCS CADD Coordinator, I am occasionally asked about what it takes to be trained to use these technologies. Where does one go for training? What are the costs? What skills can be expected after the training? What additional skills are recommended?

If you have any of these questions, perhaps this article will help to answer them. Much of the recommendations found here will be based on my own experience. Like the television commercials say, your results may vary.

The following are considerations that were made as the first CADD users were identified as New York NRCS York acquired its first CADD systems for deployment to the staff in the field. These considerations were identified by the CADD Implementation Quality Improvement Team in November 1995.

· Possess or are interested in developing computer skills

CADD software is very complex. Software modules and equipment used to provide design capabilities and retrieving survey data add to the complexity. This combination will draw heavily from your knowledge of operating a computer. Other non-CADD related programs are often used during the creation of a design using the software. If you are intimidated by computer programs, CADD may not be for you.

· Willingness to make a long term commitment

This may or may not hold true. It depends on the level which you plan to use CADD. A light user will certainly not commit as much time or effort to learning the software as person who is a regular user. Becoming a regular user can require a long term commitment. The combination of training, self-development and the use of the software for your regular work duties can add up to a substantial amount of time, in fact, years.

· Have a working knowledge of engineering, surveying and drafting skills

When using CADD for the drafting and design of an engineering project, some level of knowledge of each of these skills is needed, particularly, drafting. CADD is drafting software. Do not think that using CADD makes you a draftsperson. If you do not have drafting experience, one or more drafting courses will go a long way toward helping you produce drawings that are clear, accurate and complete.

· Currently works on engineering implementation activities

Keep in mind, when these considerations were written they served as an aid in selecting staff who were currently involved in developing engineering designs and would immediately apply these technologies. NRCS sought an immediate impact on the efficiency of designing and implementing engineering practices.

Chances are you work on engineering designs if you have an interest in CADD, but it is not imperative in order to learn it. There is an big advantage to being involved in an engineering project. This gives you the opportunity to use the software in a real world situation, make mistakes, develop solutions and get the experience needed to become a proficient user.

· Direct and ready access to the software

All staff identified as users would have access to the software. With the NRCS network of license managed CADD software soon to be in place, all CADD users and trainees will have access to the same software.

Access to the software outside of the training environment is critical, during and after attending a course. While attending training there will be class and home assignments to complete and practice will be needed to develop your new skill. At work your tasks can include those which make use of the software. This will provide additional practice, allowing you to be in a production mode while training.

If your work schedule can not afford time to operate the software for work related tasks, or to complete class assignments, one option may be to bring it home on a laptop computer.

· Willingness to accept a challenge

You say you like to be challenged? CADD will certainly do that. You will be challenged regularly by program procedures or commands that you have not been taught. No amount of training can prepare you for all you will need to know.

How does one obtain the skills to use the software?

· Educational facilities such as a community college or BOCES.

Many community colleges and BOCES offer courses in CADD. The level to which they provide training varies. Typically, they offer an introductory and advanced CADD course. Many do not take the next step into a CADD program or the modules that provide tools for the evaluation and design of a work site, such as generating contour maps, profiles, cross sections and volume calculations.

Enrolling in one or more courses is a logical start. Attending classes two or more times a week with assignments to complete and tests to evaluate your progress will provide the basic skills needed to use the software. It is likely you will begin by drawing an engine cylinder or a floor plan for a home or office. You won't be practicing on drawing for a manure pit.

One thing to keep in mind is that an educational facility may require you to enroll in a drafting class prior to enrolling in a CADD course, or may require you to demonstrate through a prerequisite test that you possess drafting skills. Remember, when you enroll in a CADD class they will not be teaching you how to draft, so you may want to think about a drafting course prior to enrolling in a CADD course. The same applies to computer skills. They will not be teaching you how to operate a computer. If you enroll in a CADD class without these skills, you will quickly fall behind.

Again, here is where the willingness to make a long term commitment comes into play. The time you will spend on this effort adds up fast. Consider the time of attending a course twice a week for three to four hours per class, and then a few hours to complete assignments, time to just practice and play, and even your travel time.

One great advantage of a course is that you are taught a lot over an extended time. The pace is bearable. You will get to practice in class while you complete your assignments, and hopefully some time at work or home.

Courses from an educational facility are the most economical route to learning CADD. Costs at a community college range from $110 to $135 per credit hour. The typical CADD course is three or four credit hours.

You should seek prior approval. Speak with your supervisor about your desire to take a course and ask if your employer will assist with the cost.

· Software vendors

Many vendors of CADD software offer training, however the cost can be quite high. Typically, the cost can range from $300 for a one day session to $1200 for a three day session. Group discounts are usually available.

Training from a software vendor is very fast paced. The instructor provides a lot of information in a short period. This is a disadvantage when compared to a course at an educational facility. You really do not get much time, if any, to practice and become knowledgeable about a topic before you proceed to the next.

As with a college course, a vendor will not be training you to produce the type of drawings you will be expected to produce at work. However, you will still learn the basics of using the software that can then be applied to your work.

Some vendors will try to tailor the training to your type of work. I have found that it does not always work out that way. The instructors have their scripted routines to follow. Getting them to deviate from that routine is not easy.

· Training by other staff members

A lot of knowledge can be acquired by networking with other staff members who use the software. The advantage here is that you will receive training and advice from someone who uses the software for the same type of work you are performing at your job. This person has probably overcome the same problems you will face. A person to follow up with after the training is available too.

One disadvantage is that you may be learning to use the software incorrectly. You could be inheriting the bad habits of the other user.

· Self development

As with any skill, self development is a key element in the learning process. You will not always have the time to experiment with the program while at work, and classes eventually come to an end. Users who do best with this software will spend a lot of their personal time experimenting and practicing.

I hope this gives you some insight of what it may take to learn CADD software. If you regularly work on engineering designs and the related drawings, CADD is a very valuable tool. If you are thinking about learning the software just because “it looks like fun”, you may want to think again.

CADD is like heaven…other times it makes me want to poke myself in the eyeball.

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