Anybody that has had this class or knows about Cad in general. Do you think this is a good class to take or is Cad easy to learn on your own. My boss gave me the Cad program and he wants me to learn how to use cad.

12/20/2006 6:14:04 PM

this class is specifically solidworks...is that the program you were given?? if all you want to do is learn how to use the basics of the software you need to take GC120, 350 is the 2nd level of solidworks and could be difficult without the basics, however if you already know a little bit about it it goes into more detail. it is however also focused on standards and geometric controls. if you were given autoCAD to learn you should take gc250, it teaches that software, but also some basics of construction. hopefully that will be helpful to you.

12/21/2006 11:26:51 PM

^ Right on the money! </thread>

12/22/2006 3:32:25 PM

I have a minor in GC. I took gc120 with the guy who teaches 250 and we only used solidworks a few times, in other words I didn't know shit about the program (how much you use it will differ depending on the instructor). I went into 350 and how no problem. If you want to learn solidworks just take 350, 120 has a lot of stuff you'll have no interest in.

Branoff teaches 350 and he's a good teacher. He knows the program in and out and is very helpful if you need help.

Matthews teaches 250 and also knows his stuff, but is not very helpful and the class covers a lot more than how to use AutoCad; In fact it doesn't really cover how to use AutoCad, you just have to use it for projects and he "helps" you as you go. If you have a question he will just do it for you without explaining what he is doing and why.

If you really need to learn AutoCad you'd probably be better off taking a course at a community college, it will be more along the lines of what you're looking for.

If you can just take 350 do it, you don't need 120 as intro to the material. You may need it as a pre-req though.

Or if you can, you could take 120 with Branoff if he's teaching a section in the spring, once again though there will be hand drafting which you are not interested in.

12/22/2006 10:23:39 PM

I really want to learn autoCad I thought I read that GC 350 taught that but thanks for the advice I think I am going to look into taking a class at a community college.

12/22/2006 11:25:40 PM

If you're interested in learning AutoCAD, go talk to Dr. Matthews. He is/was on the Autodesk alpha testing team. He's forgotten more about AutoCAD than I've ever learned.

12/23/2006 1:14:51 AM

if it's just for the job and not for your degree program just audit the class and you won't have to do the hand drafting...not everyone is completely uninterested in the hand drafting section of the class...it actually helps a lot of students better utilize solidworks, any basic level class that teaches cad will probably have some hand drawing..also as far as how duro982 learned best, it's not the same for everyone, a lot of kids struggle with solidworks and need 120 to guide them into the next level...

[Edited on December 23, 2006 at 10:28 PM. Reason : ]

12/23/2006 10:24:12 PM