Free drafting online courses

December 14, 2008 2:53 PM

Please recommend free online mechanical drafting courses.

I took an intro to drafting class at the community college, and loved it. But my interest is more hobby-level and I don't have the flexibility to take classes anymore. So what courses are available online to continue to develop my skills? I'm mostly interested in mechanical drafting, anything with a 3d component is a bonus. Actually, the assignments are the most important part -- I learn best on my own.

I've found a few pages googling, but I'd prefer a solid recommendation from mefi.

posted by mad bomber what bombs at midnight to education (5 comments total)

I may be off kilter here, but it sounds like you want to learn to use a 3d modelling CAD package. I am not sure how that woudl be possible online, as it involves learning to use a 3d modelling package - there aren't online versions of these available that I know of, as that'd defeat the purpose of selling them and they are pretty computer heavy (/impossible?) to use over an internet connection.

I taught myself to 3d model at a previous job. The best way I found was to get a copy of Solidworks (howsoever you choose to do this...) and go through all the tutorials that are inbuilt in the programme. There are also many self help books out there. I really don't see how you can get past teh basics without having a version of the package you want to learn in front of you.

Once you get past the basic rules of how to construct drawings and using dimensions (which are consistent with manual draftsman rules and have international standards, if you choose to follow them) then most of the complexity is in the modelling which is largely software specific.
posted by Brockles at 3:35 PM on December 14, 2008

Argh, I always leave something important out: I have Autocad and Solidworks already. I got them when I took the community college class.
posted by mad bomber what bombs at midnight at 3:44 PM on December 14, 2008

Well, in terms of solidworks, I found the easiest way was one of the self-teach Solidworks books. Then just start picking things up and trying to model them - anything at all. You'll soon work out where your weaknesses are and the Solidworks website has plenty of models to use as examples and teaching aids.

Once you get a basic grasp at it, just throwing yourself into it and waiting until you get stuck is pretty rewarding.
posted by Brockles at 3:55 PM on December 14, 2008 [1 favorite]

If you want to freely start with something less daunting then solid works but want to do 3D you can't go wrong with Sketchup. Tons of resources. Tons of people working in it and talking about it. Free tutorials and cheap books available. And it's free, of course. I did mention it was free? When you move on to Solidworks you will have a good grasp of 3D modeling behavior.
posted by ptm at 5:40 PM on December 14, 2008 [2 favorites]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll look more closely at the solidworks tutorials.
posted by mad bomber what bombs at midnight at 4:36 PM on December 15, 2008