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With tools which allow users to create almost any design they can imagine, Autodesk AutoCAD software is very valuable for computer-aided design (CAD) technicians. This software enables technicians to work alongside engineers to produce high-quality designs for a diverse range of projects.

AutoCAD can be a complicated program to navigate, with even qualified CAD Technicians constantly learning new skills and tips to use the software more effectively, even years after they finish studying.

If you considering enrolling in CAD technician courses, or have already started your program, read on to learn some simple tips that will give a head start in your AutoCAD training.

1.    How AutoCAD Technicians Create PDFs and JPEG Images from Drawings

These days, clients are looking to take a more active role in every stage of the design process, and they will often look for regular updates and renderings at every stage of a project. An AutoCAD technician needs to be ready to produce their work in PDF or JPEG form for progress reports and presentations at a moment’s notice.

If you are working with AutoCAD 2010 or later, PDFs can be easily created from the PDF export button in the ribbon tab. However, if you are working with an earlier version, or need to customize the properties of a drawing prior to exporting, you can use the print menu. Just click on ‘select printer’, and select ‘Virtual PDF Printer’ from the drop-down menu. You can make changes by clicking on the ‘Properties’ option on the right.

To create a JPEG image, simply open up the plot dialogue box, and select the plotter ‘PublishToWebJPG.pc3’. This will give you a high-resolution image of your design suitable for any purpose.

2.    How Industry Professionals Can Perform Speedy AutoCAD Searches

In AutoCAD school, students learn that complex projects often require dozens of files. When making alterations to a large project, CAD technicians need to be able to access all the relevant files in the overall project to make changes, often within a very short timeframe. Therefore, being able to efficiently search AutoCAD files is essential.

The AutoDesk Content Explorer, which is accessible through the Content panel in the Plug-ins ribbon tab, allows users to search through the body text, layers and text in drawings for any term, making finding all the relevant parts of your files easy. If you need to match specific properties, use the Matchprop tool to find any objects with similar properties in your designs.

3.    How AutoCAD Technicians Can Speed Up the Printing Process

CAD Technicians often need to print multiple documents at a time. In order to allow users to continue their work while this process takes place, all versions of the program since AutoCAD 2008 use background processing.

While this is useful when printing large batches of work, when printing smaller single sheets it can actually take longer. Many users find that turning off background processing results in much faster print speed. This can be done by going to the Plot and Publish tab in the Options menu, and setting the ‘background plotting’ option to ‘off’.

AutoCAD software is loaded with features that are constantly being updated, so aspiring CAD technicians will constantly need to improve and update their skills throughout their careers. Nonetheless, the programs are also quite user-friendly, and with extensive AutoCAD Training taking students through every stage of the program, aspiring technicians can quite quickly get to grips with this valuable tool.

Are you interested in mastering AutoCAD software?

Check out our one-year diploma program for more information, or to speak with an advisor.