Training

Training…

WHY BOTHER! – “WE CAN TEACH OURSELVES”

AutoCAD	AutoCAD LT	LT Architect	Architect 2000	paraCAD+
archCAD	Quick Architect	VR Architect	Scan2CAD	ARTlantis

This is something I hear quite a lot, and being a self-taught person on many softwares (over the 15 years I have been in the CAD Industry myself) I can understand this thought process.

However…when I look back on the times I have learnt that really neat way of editing/ drafting/ designing/ using a software, then I can normally relate to me watching a more experienced User and then saying “show me how you did that” OR when I have been drafting and ‘doing it the hard way’ some kind soul has shown me the way to do it ‘the easy way’. Or I have been on a Training Course and asked the relevant questions!

As I have to earn part of my living undertaking Contract Drafting work, then I need to know these shortcuts so that I can get my own speed up and thus make a profit at the end of the year instead of a loss!!

This is the great leveller…as there I a vast difference between drafting for ‘Training’ and drafting for ‘Real Work’. When Training you are showing the same Course over and over...when confronted with many different types of drafting work you have to know the shortcuts and how to create the geometry quickly.

Therefore my Training will introduce you to many of the shortcuts as we progress through the Softwares. Even if you are a complete novice you are introduced to some of these simple steps to get the drafting completed more quickly.

References to attest to this ‘customer satisfaction after Training’ are available along with Names and Telephone numbers (by prior approval of course). Please call me to discuss further-

1:1 Courses Bespoke to 'Your Work' are my speciaility.

“TRAINING! –I DON’T NEED TRAINING, I’VE BEEN USING AUTOCAD SINCE VERSION 11”

Again this is a comment made by many I talk to, and again I can empathise – I thought I knew say - AutoCAD pretty well…I used to be a CAD Salesman and would go off and Demonstrate the System to various Customers and show them how it worked. However…it was only when I started Contract Drafting and Training on AutoCAD that I really started to read up on the commands, plus you always get some bright spark who asks awkward questions that you don’t know the answer to (at the time). So you get out your reference book and find out. Thus you become more knowledgeable on each Software when you teach.

If I visit a Site with someone who has used AutoCAD since V11 and he has never had any Training, he or she will generally be using ACAD 2004 like R11. This means that the drawings are being produced, but none of the new and more powerful features are being used.

SO…If you are convinced lets find out how you can move forward:-

Training- How’s it done…

Training is normally ‘On-Site’ at Your Office, which means you have no Travel or Overnight Expenses/ Hotels/ Cars etc to worry about.

Training can be either 1:1 or if you have a Room available that can be used for Training, then a Max of 3-4 on each Course. Training is normally done on your own PC’s however up to 3 Systems can be hired and set-up for your training if/as required. Please call/e-mail me to discuss your needs.

1:1 or a Class?…

There are advantages and disadvantages with both, I am a great proponent of the 1:1 approach as it allows me to focus on the Individual and their particular level of experience. It also means that when you are busy you only have one person who is NOT working at any one time. I find that most businesses these days cannot afford to have the whole of the Drawing Office off on Training all at once. I can also cover a lot more on a 1:1.

The other advantage of 1:1 is that if you have a class of mixed ability, then you have to pitch at the lowest common denominator, this will mean that the more experienced users can sometimes get frustrated. Again I try to minimise this effect by having ‘extra’ Exercises available that I can give to those who quickly finish the ‘standard’ Exercises.

A Class is ideal if all are at a similar level, or you are teaching say n add-on Software such as LT Architect for AutoCAD LT. Here it is assumed that all on the Course know AutoCAD and have been using it for a reasonable amount of time. Again I am happy to discuss with you in greater detail.

The disadvantage of the 1:1 is that it is just that 1:1 and can therefore sometimes work out a little more expensive for you than a class of 3 at a time. Please remember however that the other Designers are working and earning if the 1:1 approach is utilised. Again lets discuss it and work out what’s best for you.

Bespoke Training?…

Training can be provided ‘bespoke’ to the work that you do.

This does not mean that every Course is ‘Totally’ customised to you, as this would be impossible. As you will appreciate every Course has to have some basic structure.

It does mean however that whilst I am training you/ your colleagues I will (wherever possible) introduce some parts of your work, or relate the areas covered to how you will use the Software. This is the best approach as it is pointless (unless a basic drafting exercise) hammering away at Mechanical Design, when you are an Architectural Designer or visa-versa!.

The Courses available are as follows:-

AutoCAD on Versions 2000 up to 2006:-

Beginners – 3 Day if Classroom 2 day if 1:1

Intermediate – 1 or 2 Day depending on your needs.

Update - from an older release to the Latest – 1 or 2 Day depending on your needs and what Release you are upgrading From-To.

Basic 3D Modelling – 1-2 Day preferably introducing your own Components in 3D wherever possible (this component drawing/ information to be provided 1 week before the Course, so I may prepare and thus save time on the day).