Learn CAD (Computer Aided Design)
The CAD course will help you understand how CAD technology works and how it can be applied across a range of industries. The technology is developing all the time and its capabilities and possibilities continue to expand.
- Understand the nature and scope of its use.
- Learn the generic tools and principles that underpin its application wherever it is used.
- Explore how it is applied across different industries - landscaping, construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
Other CAD courses are sometimes focussed on how to use specific tools (i.e. particular software or hardware). This course is less narrow in focus. This course aims to provide a broader understanding of the principles and techniques that underpin all CAD applications. When you acquire a broad foundation in the subject you are then better placed to adopt, apply and see the possibilities for whatever equipment or software you need to use.
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
1. Scope & Nature of Computer Aided Design
- Introduction - History of Technical Drawing, History of CAD
- Why CAD?
- Overview of Applications of CAD - Solid Modelling or Manufacturing, Surface Modelling
- Assembly, Drafting Detailing, Reverse Engineering
- Scanners
2. Types of CAD Software
- Introduction
- Types of CAD
- CAD System Components
- Popular CAD Software
- Create a CAD Project
3. CAD Design Principles
- Basics of CAD
- Cartesian Coordinate System
- Spatial Reasoning
- Orthographic Projections
- CAD Design General Principles
- CAD Design Process
- CAD Design Effective Use Principles
4. Landscape Mapping and Planning
- Plan Types - Site Plan/Base Plan, Topographic Plan, Concept Plan, The Final Plan, Other Plans
- How Landscape Plans are Presented - Steps In The Design Procedure, Landscape Graphics
- Surveying and Measurement - Levelling, Area Measurement, Measurement of Volume
- Earthworks
- Limitations of CAD in Landscape Design
5. Construction and Engineering
- Introduction
- CAD in Construction - Building Information Modelling, Construction Managers
- Application to Construction
- Types of Drawings
- Architectural Drawings - Site Plan, Location Plan/Drawings, Elevation, Landscape & Excavation Drawing, Floor Plan, Line Plan, Cross Section, Section Drawings, Detail/Finishing Drawings
Installation Drawings, Working Plan, As-Built Drawings
- Structural Drawings - Design Drawings, Block Plan, Foundation Plan, Assembly Drawings, Layouts, Beam Layout, Column Layout, Framing Plans, Roof Slab Layout
- Building Services Drawings - Electrical Drawings, Plumbing Drawings, HVAC/Mechanical Drawing, Firefighting Drawing
- Miscellaneous Drawings - Submission Drawings, Models, Environment Plans
- 2D or 3D
6. Architecture and Urban Planning
- Introduction
- CAD Modelling - Urban Planning, Architecture, Architectural Views, Using Templates
- CAD Visualisation - Virtual Tours
- Risk Management - Risk Identification, Risk Assessment
- Building Information Modelling
- Optimisation
7. Manufacturing
- Introduction
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
- Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) - Aerospace, Automotive, Technology
- Benefits - Design, Financial, Tooling, Outsourcing, Quality and Inspection, Logistics, Green Strategy
8. Rapid Prototyping
- Introduction
- Why Rapid Prototyping is Important
- The Prototyping Process
- Types of Rapid Prototyping - Additive Manufacturing, Subtractive Manufacturing, Moulding Manufacturing
9. 3D Printing
- Introduction - History of 3D Printing
- Types of 3D Printing - Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Electron Beam Melting, Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP)
- 3D Scanners
- Types of Software - Slicer Software
- Type of Materials - Plastics, Powders, Resin, Metals & Other
- Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D Printing
- Applications of 3D Printing - Replacement Parts, Customised Parts
- The Future of 3D Printing
10. Further Applications
- Introduction
- Enhanced Reality - Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality
- Artificial Intelligence - Generative Design
- The Cloud
- Customisation and Other Applications
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Discuss the scope and nature of computer-aided design.
- Compare characteristics of different types of CAD software.
- Outline broad underlying principles of computer aided design.
- Explain CAD applications for land mapping, planning and earthworks.
- Explain CAD applications in construction and engineering.
- Explain the importance of CAD in architecture and urban planning.
- Explain CAD applications in manufacturing.
- Explain CAD applications for rapid prototyping.
- Explain CAD applications for 3D printing.
- Determine further applications for CAD.
Computer Aided Design is a Required Skill in Many Industries
Design is a fundamental element of creating or improving objects and services. CAD allows designers to access tools that enable them to work in ways their predecessors could not imagine. Designs are quicker, more accurate and more efficient.
Exploring the underlying concepts of how CAD software works provides a foundation that is transferable across different programs and industries. By discovering how CAD is applied in different industries we discover the many different ways in which CAD is being used and the possibilities open to designers.
Opportunities after this Course
The more that you study CAD the greater your ability will be, to apply CAD solutions to areas that interest you. By learning the different contexts in which it is used you will gain insight into how it may be applied in new ways.
This course will make you a better informed and more capable person when it comes to computer aided design in this course and in the real world. When you add life and work experience to what you learn here, your abilities will continue to grow. You career and business opportunities will be enhanced, and your potential to meet new challenges will continue to grow.
Further Study, Beyond this Course
If you wish to enhance your skillset; consider our courses on Landscaping or Construction and Engineering.