Training for a person with no CAD experience?

bruce_williams

I am searching for a way to train people that have NO CAD experience.  The newly refined 'Learning Center' is great - however, the material requires a basic understanding of CAD and parametric solid modeling.

What resources do you suggest?

owen_sparks

Hi Bruce, funny you should say that, I was considering posting something along these lines in the morning.

I believe the warning in the learning centre concerning previous parametric CAD experience as a prerequisite to be somewhat pessimistic. 

I believe anyone that has the chops to ultimately use onshape will have no problem following along the videos and examples in the training centre even if they're absolutely new to CAD.

I might be wrong but I'd love to see someone with no experience whatsoever have a go at these examples.

Owen S.

3dcad

'New to CAD' can be difficult to define. Back in millenium when I was learning basics of 3D in university, I found it very simple and easy from the beginning while some others struggled to understand sketch+extrude=part. That was probably because I had earlier experience on manually creating engineering drawings and enough experience on autocad to hate it. At that time I considered myself as totally new to CAD.
Well, I still consider mysef as a beginner since my modeling needs are not that complex.

I would say more important is the need and motivation than earlier / educational (light) experience. Of course it helps if you know the difference between a keyboard and a mouse.

Also people (brain) are different from the other, some people immediately see a rectangle behind a cube and some doesn't but most likely those who don't won't need the software anyway

bradley_sauln

@bruce_williams I would recommend starting them here first: https://www.onshape.com/learn/learn-cad to get an understanding of our basic set up and workflows. From there you can find exercise books or website to walk through increasingly complex geometry to start to develop the use of CAD features https://www.slideshare.net/doancokhi86/100-cad-exercises-62334495

c_fields

Inspired by @bradley_sauln's book recommendation, I'm converting all of the slides into a single onshape document.

Of the 100 exercises in the slide deck, 68 are done as of this post, and available to deconstruct and learn with by copying the following Onshape document

Furthermore I'm making a video series starting with some of the basics at first.  Any comments, or suggestions for the next video are welcomed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUmWlFnw4I

Ben_

Learn Onshape's absolute beginner to 3D CAD series is up at the link below. Please share this with any one you know in 3Dprinting, STEAM, STEM, Robotics or any Makers you know... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pQsuRKz0e4&list=PLxOHNw01Id90cQJkkA0f5Fsq_SXZOvXoV

owen_sparks

Hi Bruce, funny you should say that, I was considering posting something along these lines in the morning.

I believe the warning in the learning centre concerning previous parametric CAD experience as a prerequisite to be somewhat pessimistic. 

I believe anyone that has the chops to ultimately use onshape will have no problem following along the videos and examples in the training centre even if they're absolutely new to CAD.

I might be wrong but I'd love to see someone with no experience whatsoever have a go at these examples.

Owen S.

3dcad

'New to CAD' can be difficult to define. Back in millenium when I was learning basics of 3D in university, I found it very simple and easy from the beginning while some others struggled to understand sketch+extrude=part. That was probably because I had earlier experience on manually creating engineering drawings and enough experience on autocad to hate it. At that time I considered myself as totally new to CAD.
Well, I still consider mysef as a beginner since my modeling needs are not that complex.

I would say more important is the need and motivation than earlier / educational (light) experience. Of course it helps if you know the difference between a keyboard and a mouse.

Also people (brain) are different from the other, some people immediately see a rectangle behind a cube and some doesn't but most likely those who don't won't need the software anyway

chris_winters404

Hello Bruce,
 When I started with Onshape I had very minimal exposure to CAD. It is a big cookie that takes a lifetime to digest. I started out with going through all the tutorial videos and that definitely gave me a starting point. Does the person(s) have any exposure to blueprint reading or manufacturing? Are you looking at 3-6 months for daily basic workflow ( design, dimension, review, and release)? It is highly dependent what field you are talking about as well.
I can say that I routinely smack my noggin against the wall to try to figure out how to do some of the more advanced applications of Onshape (featurescript being my windmill for next quarter). That being said when ever I do have a problem I come here to the forums first to see and if I can't find a reference then I submit a ticket.

Stay awesome and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Chris 

bradley_sauln

@bruce_williams I would recommend starting them here first: https://www.onshape.com/learn/learn-cad to get an understanding of our basic set up and workflows. From there you can find exercise books or website to walk through increasingly complex geometry to start to develop the use of CAD features https://www.slideshare.net/doancokhi86/100-cad-exercises-62334495

bruce_williams

what a great bunch of people on the forum.  Thanks for all the responses & thoughts.  I especially appreciate the 100-cad-exercises and Onshape Basics lessons.   @bradley_sauln @owen_sparks @3dcad @chris_winters404

I started this and forgot to post - sorry for late reply!

owen_sparks

bruce_williams said:

what a great bunch of people on the forum.  Thanks for all the responses & thoughts.  I especially appreciate the 100-cad-exercises and Onshape Basics lessons.   @bradley_sauln @owen_sparks @3dcad @chris_winters404

I started this and forgot to post - sorry for late reply!

I quite agree, it's a very friendly environment, where anybody can ask just about anything and get a helpful response within a couple of hours or less.

O.S. 

3dcad

Exceptional environment where not only beginners can ask questions but also professionals can get answers. I don't know any other forum where 'the host' has made it priority to get involved in conversation. Big to Onshape for that.

michael3424

3dcad said:

Exceptional environment where not only beginners can ask questions but also professionals can get answers. I don't know any other forum where 'the host' has made it priority to get involved in conversation. Big to Onshape for that.

+1

bruce_williams

Follow up on the "100 CAD Exercises". 

I have been test sketching these in OS.  The exercises are good training practice.  They are 'real world' in several ways - realistic shapes, the dimensions schemes make you think & use various tools, and there are errors & omissions (like real drawings).    

Below is page 23.  At first, I was frustrated with this kind of dimensioning, but then realized it is good for training.  For ex. note how the octagons are located & sized.  I was impressed Onshape solved with just these 3 dimensions.

Now I will see how the students take to the exercises... 

c_fields

Inspired by @bradley_sauln's book recommendation, I'm converting all of the slides into a single onshape document.

Of the 100 exercises in the slide deck, 68 are done as of this post, and available to deconstruct and learn with by copying the following Onshape document

Furthermore I'm making a video series starting with some of the basics at first.  Any comments, or suggestions for the next video are welcomed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUmWlFnw4I

bruce_williams

@c_fields
Nice work!

brian_jordan

@c_fields Thank you. This looks like a great resource - I shall be visiting it frequently.

peter_hall

I was new to Cad. I started by watching training videos for solidworks through Lynda.com. It was after doing this I discovered Onshape as I was looking for a way of trying out Cad and Onshape fitted well with its free to use offer. I am still using Onshape  and looking forward to further developments as they come out. I may even become a Pro oneday.

Ben_

Learn Onshape's absolute beginner to 3D CAD series is up at the link below. Please share this with any one you know in 3Dprinting, STEAM, STEM, Robotics or any Makers you know... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pQsuRKz0e4&list=PLxOHNw01Id90cQJkkA0f5Fsq_SXZOvXoV

doug_probst

@c_fields
I am that guy with no design background, I opened your document but have no idea what I am to do with it, are there instructions someplace for each slid or do I need to buy the book the came from?   

bruce_williams

@doug_probst

In case you did not see it check the information & links in 'What is the simpliest tutorial?'

KatieHuffman

@doug_probst please navigate to our Learning Center to learn Onshape fundamental skills. The first course in the Onshape Fundamental: CAD pathway, Navigation Onshape explains the concept of a Document. As you progress through the courses in the two fundamental pathways you will learn all of the basic skills needed to be efficient in Onshape. As mentioned in this forum post, these courses assume an understanding of parametric CAD, but have guided exercises, that can help assist a novice user as well.