Beginners Courses
If CAD is completely new to you and you have never used it as board layout software before, then it may be an idea to go on a beginner’s course. These are not expensive and if you search the internet you will find that these are run by independent companies and also places like colleges. You may be able to get funding either from local authorities or your company to go on these courses, so it is worth checking that out first. The courses themselves generally run over a period of a few weeks as there is a lot to learn with CAD software.
Forums
There are many forums on the internet for people that use CAD. Register for one of these forums and join the groups of conversations where people will leave tips and guidance. These forums are generally open to the public and not moderated adequately so make sure to be fact check advice you get.
Upgrade your Software
As CAD has been around for several decades you may not have the latest CAD software. As a result of this, you may still be working with very old techniques whereas the technology of CAD has improved significantly over the past few years. For example, the latest software is 3D packages that allow dynamic simulations and transfer of data. If you then upgrade the software to one of these packages, then you may find that instantly things become a lot easier for you. Very specifically around the 3D simulations – this will help reduce risk in your designing and manufacturing a sub-standard product and improve the quality of the output. A lot of the new software can be purchased for free on trial to allow you to see if it is acceptable for your use. In addition, the software can be downloaded from the internet rather than use discs to then negate the need for complicated time-consuming installations.
Pay for Subscriptions
Some people buy CAD software outright for themselves as an individual but also maybe for a larger company. Others decide to go for the subscription method as they include some extras. This includes help when needed (not only with the actual software integrity but if you need help to use it). There are many CAD companies that sell the full package for many options and can include the monthly payment option for small or larger firms. This then means that you are getting the expert help from the people who know the software rather than reverting to internet forums with groups of users.
