CAD Software Training Made Easy
Video CAD software training makes learning TurboCAD a fun task
Yankee Mike hand drawn RC airplane plan - 1998
Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs have revolutionized model airplane design and the preparation and drafting of all sorts of construction plans. Whether your plans are for building a house, automobile or a radio control model airplane, what used to be a tedious task with every line drawn by hand on paper can now be done quickly and easily on a computer. It is safe to say that close to 100% of RC model airplane plans are now prepared with a CAD software program. Consider having one of your model airplane plans published. But what is the best method to obtain the required CAD software training for these powerful model plane designer programs?
CAD programs and new computers
Practical CAD software programs require some sort of graphical user interface. A mouse is essentially a requirement to draw the plan’s lines on the computer screen. Thus, Macintosh computers hosted the initial consumer CAD programs, such as Ashlar’s DrawingBoard, providing initial insights as to what these early programs could accomplish for the RC airplane designer. These pioneer home CAD programs provided their CAD software training through a very complete manual included with the purchased program. As the concept of using a computer to draft a set of model airplane plans was new, much study and practice was required with the CAD software training to gain proficiency these programs. View screen shots of TurboCAD video training here.
All airplanes plans start with a sketch - the Chickadee RC plane concept above
As the Windows operating systems became more capable, home computers provided greater computational power which facilitated use of the rapidly evolving employment of consumer CAD programs. In an effort to save costs, the earlier practice of including a complete printed manual for CAD software training became less and less common. Instead, the CAD training could often be found on an enclosed CD.
With the advent of the internet and widespread use of forums, there are now several alternative methods to obtain CAD software training than from a complete, printed manual. Forums are a very good source of information for the aspiring CAD model airplane designer. In addition, if you have a question, you can quite easily post that query and get a tailored response to the issue you are trying to solve.
Easy CAD software training
Any company that offers a CAD software package will likely have some sort of training available on their company website. This could be a special book that you order, a DVD, or a company sponsored forum. These CAD software training aids often come with some sort of trial use or preview period, so you can determine if they meet your training needs before a decision to purchase.
Chickadee -from sketch to CAD outline
A quick Google search will turn up several sources of CAD software training for radio control model airplane plans. In addition, a lot of this training is focused on the popular use of three dimensional CAD to render an item. For RC model airplane plans, there really is no immediate need for the complexities of producing a 3D object. I’d recommend that you focus on the basics of learning two dimensional RC model airplane design then move on to the added complexities of three dimensional work.
Finished free Chickadee CAD RC plane plan
There are a wide variety of independent CDs and DVDs that can provide training on how to use CAD software. These training aids usually emphasize general use of the CAD software, without focusing on a specific use or area of expertise. For example, you may have a CAD training CD detailing how to draw a set of house floor plans that could be of minimal use to someone wanting to draft a model airplane plan.
The Finch free model airplane plan is a good example, that you can download and print out full size, of a simple, easy to read CAD aircraft plan.
Learn TurboCAD with this video CD
If you would like a set of CAD training CDs that are completely focused on drawing a model airplane plan, consider purchasing this set of TurboCAD training CDs. I spend close to three hours taking you step by step from a “clean sheet of paper” to a finished RC CAD plan of the Snapper model airplane design. Through the magic of video screen capture, on the CDs you will view exactly what I see on my computer screen, with a clear narration of the tools and procedures you will need for a standard two dimensional line drawing of a model airplane. I am sure that you will find that this TurboCAD software training CD will save you hours of time learning computer drafting procedures and techniques on your own.
CAD Software Training