When AutoCAD Release 14 began shipping in May of last year, Autodesk included an extra CD-ROM in the box that promised to help with AutoCAD’s traditional steep learning curve. AutoCAD Learning Assistance developed by Referentia Systems Inc. (Honolulu, HI) was intended to be a comprehensive multimedia learning tool to help novice users get familiar and comfortable with AutoCAD quickly. With step-by-step animated tutorials, HTML-like linking of related drafting concepts and so-called "just-in-time" learning exercises that introduce or reinforce design concepts as they are needed, AutoCAD Learning Assistance was a long-needed breakthrough product.
Since its introduction, CAD managers and trainers have used the software to prime students with self-paced assignments prior to more traditional classroom training. As for those who want to explore more of the nooks and crannies of AutoCAD, they have a multimedia interface that makes exploration, ok, we’ll say it, "fun." This product is "infotainment" that can impact the learning curve and the bottom line by helping users hone the skills that effect day-to-day productivity.
In addition to AutoCAD Learning Assistance, the Referentia for AutoCAD Series now offers additional learning content for AutoCAD Learning Assistance and currently consists of two titles – 3D Design & Drawing in Release 14, by Cadalyst magazine’s David Pitzer, and What You Need To Know About Release 14: Tips, Tricks and Workarounds for the AutoCAD Professional by AutoCAD instructor Hugh Bathurst.
This series lets users, or rather, students, add new content to their multimedia tutorial libraries, and keep everything archived on their desktop. Each of the CDs contains more than 50 animated topic-specific lessons. One of the main things we like about these tutorials is the fact that they can run either standalone or alongside/inside AutoCAD.
Because Referentia was behind creating the original AutoCAD Learning Assistance CD-ROM, it’s no coincidence that the two newer titles look, work, and feel just like AutoCAD Learning Assistance — a godsend of consistency for new users. In the Tutorial sections, for example, users can select the lessons they want to learn from a comprehensive tutorial outline list. The Fast Answers section offers a keyword search of the entire tutorial library contents, as well as a topic index and content category outline. The Concepts section contains 3D animations that illustrate complex concepts and terminology.
Lesson animations, each 2-4 minutes in length, are narrated walkthroughs for specific program features, step-by-step, as a lesson is being taught. After reviewing a lesson, users can select the "Try It" function, and practice the technique on their own drawing or on a sample drawing pulled from the CD-ROM. The lesson text is visible on the right side of the screen, and offers hyperlinks to relevant WinHelp files or Concept animations.
In addition, the new Referentia for AutoCAD series expands the Learning Assistance interface with productivity-oriented features that include:
- A "Skip" button allows quick jumps forward or backward within lessons, so users can cut straight to the information most important to them.
- Automatic "Text Advance" lets hearing impaired users or those without sound cards also use the learning system.
- Audio capability in the "Try It" section, where users can listen to step-by-step narration as they practice the lesson techniques in real time in AutoCAD.
3D Design & Drawing in R14
3D Design & Drawing in R14 covers such topics as surface and solid modeling, editing in 3D space, rendering techniques, and building mechanical and architectural models. We especially like this last aspect of not just addressing an average percentile, generic user — mechanical and architectural users are specifically addressed, not in any great detail, but at least they and their unique needs are recognized.
In this series of interactive tutorials users learn how to navigate in AutoCAD’s 3D space. They learn how to build both surface and solid models, and the advantages of each type. Finally they learn how to take advantage of 3D models as presentation tools. Major lesson groups include:
- Working in 3D with the User Coordinate System
- Viewing Your Model
- Thickness and Extrusion
- Plane Surfaces
- Complex Surfaces
- Using Solids to Model
- Putting It All Together: Building a Mechanical Model
- Putting It All Together: Building an Architectural Model
- Tips for Editing 3D Space
- Basic Rendering Techniques
- Concept Animations
List price is $249.
What You Need To Know About R14
What You Need To Know About R14 covers "must know" features and aspects of Release 14, such as model space/paper space tips and tricks, upgrade shortcuts, customization techniques, programming AutoLISP, etc.
This interactive CD-ROM was created with the intent of giving AutoCAD users a productivity boost. By providing the right knowledge, in the right amount, on the right subjects, at the right time, users get jump-started in critical "need to know" areas with proven productivity tips, tricks and real world examples.
This CD-ROM stresses the importance of a strong foundation, because there are certain things that every AutoCAD user should know in order to be efficient and productive. Before taking on some of the more advanced topics, users must establish a strong foundation on which to build. In this set of tutorials users learn about essential CAD principles, key variables and commands, setting up AutoCAD, and recognizing the importance of standards and consistency.
Lesson groups include:
- Fundamental CAD Principles
- Understanding Key Variables and Commands
- Setting Up for Success
- Recognizing the Importance of Standards and Consistency
- Keys to Drawing Management
- Creating and Editing Tools
- Customization to Automate Common Tasks
- Outputting Your Design - Any Sheet, Any Scale, Any Time
- Bonus Utilities and Tools To Kick Along Productivity
- Concept Animations
List price is $349.
As good as they are, the Referentia and/or AutoCAD Learning Assistance CD-ROMs are no substitute for classroom training, especially for new users, but they provide a great head start for face-to-face training. They provide an excellent supplement to classroom training, and for more experienced AutoCAD users, an opportunity for a refresher course on a number of AutoCAD features, capabilities, and methodologies. We understand that a third Referntia title is currently in the works that will cover Autodesk’s Architectural Desktop and we look forward to its release.
Contact: Referentia Systems Inc., 1-800-569-6255, www.referentia.com