This powerful and collaborative software can design nearly anything—from a simple napkin holder to a 100-story high rise—in detail and to scale. In fact, the table you’re sitting at now was probably designed using AutoCAD. AutoCAD skills are useful in many fields, including architecture, interior design, drafting, manufacturing, film and entertainment, engineering, and more. It’s also a valuable skill to add to your resume and will help you stand out to employers and boost your salary potential. You can even use your AutoCAD skills to start a 3D printing hobby or furniture design side hustle.
So, are you ready to get started? You may think your budget is too tight or your schedule is too full with work or family commitments to enroll in an in-person or live online course. The good news is several affordable on-demand AutoCAD classes are available for you to choose from. These courses allow you to learn the software independently, at your own pace, and when it fits into your schedule—and some are free! Here’s a list of the 11 Best On-Demand AutoCAD Classes to help get you started:
The 11 Best On-Demand AutoCAD Classes
- LinkedIn Learning—AutoCAD 2025 Essential Training (On-Demand)
- Udemy—AutoCAD Complete Course (On-Demand)
- Coursera—Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep (On-Demand)
- Skillshare—Autodesk AutoCAD Masterclass: The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD (On-Demand)
- New York Institute of Art & Design (NYIAD)—AutoCAD Course Online (On-Demand)
- ONLC—AutoCAD Complete Course (On-Demand)
- CADTrainingOnline—AutoCAD Introduction (On-Demand)
- CADLabWorld—AutoCAD Online Training (On-Demand)
- SourceCAD—AutoCAD Certification Exam Preparation Course (On-Demand)
- CAD in Black (YouTube Channel)—Complete Tutorial for Beginners (On-Demand)
- Pluralsight—Introduction to AutoCAD (On-Demand)
#1: LinkedIn Learning—AutoCAD 2025 Essential Training (On-Demand)
LinkedIn Learning features over 5,000 video courses taught by industry experts on various topics, including hundreds on the AutoCAD software. AutoCAD 2025 Essential Training teaches students how to get the most out of AutoCAD’s processes and workflows to become a more efficient and productive user. This beginner/intermediate course covers using the ribbon, choosing workspaces, and working with built-in tools like ViewCube and Navigation Bar to design projects and drawings. In addition, students learn tips for managing units and options, drawing and modifying objects, working with dimensioning techniques, and more. A Certified Autodesk Instructor teaches this course and helps students quickly build the skills to create and share AutoCAD designs.
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Students can purchase AutoCAD 2025 Essential Training for $39.99 or a LinkedIn Learning subscription for $39.99 monthly. Students who sign up for an annual membership receive a one-month free trial. Purchasing a yearly membership saves $20 a month compared to the monthly price. AutoCAD Essentials Training includes 116 videos led by an Autodesk Certified Instructor. The course takes just over ten hours to complete, and LinkedIn informs students a week before the free trial period ends. Before taking this course, students should know how to work with Windows-based applications and their operating systems. The class tuition includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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Students receive a certification of completion at the end of the class. LinkedIn also gives students access to 12 chapter quizzes to help test their course knowledge. Students who buy a LinkedIn Learning subscription receive free access to LinkedIn Premium, featuring valuable benefits like unlimited profile viewing, job and salary insights, career resources, and more. Students gave the course positive reviews and praised the instructor. Jonas M. said, “Loved it. Extremely helpful and relevant. It gives an overall understanding of the software.” T.P. said, “Simply great, as always with (the instructor’s) courses!” Aly A. added, “Great resource to get you into the fundamentals of using AutoCAD.”
#2: Udemy—AutoCAD Complete Course (On-Demand)
Udemy is an online learning and teaching marketplace featuring thousands of on-demand courses covering tech, design, business, and more. Students can access classes on Udemy 24/7 from anywhere on any device. The courses follow a lecture format, including videos, slides, text notes, assessment tests, and exercises. Several AutoCAD classes are available at Udemy, including the AutoCAD Complete Course. This course helps students feel comfortable using AutoCAD and learn how to build layouts from scratch. Created by a professional CAD Designer and instructor, this class teaches students how to master beginner to advanced-level AutoCAD tools and techniques, including XRefs, layout tools, and 3D modeling.
Key Information
This AutoCAD Complete Course includes 11.5 hours of on-demand video and four downloadable resources. The class is designed for beginners, and no prior knowledge of AutoCAD is required. To take this course, students must have basic computer skills and a Windows version of the AutoCAD software, preferably year 2001 or later. The price for the AutoCAD Complete Course is $129.99. Total payment is due upfront, but students have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Students can buy the class outright or purchase a Udemy Personal Plan starting at $16.58 monthly (after a free trial). Please note: The Personal Plan is in the pilot stage; see the Udemy website for details. Udemy also offers periodic “24-hour Flash Sales” with discounts of up to 81 percent off.
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Students receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Participants reviewing the class were pleased overall with the instructors and content. Daniel A. said, “Indeed, this course will prepare you from zero experience to professional grade. Not hard to follow and do the course work.” Victor N. said, “The instructor was very good at explaining concepts, and the course was very practical and easy to follow.” David W. said, “I really enjoyed this course. It serves as an incredible reference piece. I also enjoy how it allows you to build a portfolio piece at the end.”
#3: Coursera—Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep (On-Demand)
The Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep course offered by Coursera gives students an overview of the skills needed to pass the Autodesk professional certification exam. This exam is the recognized standard for measuring skills and knowledge in AutoCAD. Certification at this level demonstrates a comprehensive skill set that allows individuals to stand out in a competitive workforce
. Topics covered in class include drawing and organizing objects, drawing with accuracy, advanced editing functions, layouts, printing and outputs, annotation techniques, and reusable content and drawing management. Students will also create drawing objects, manage layers, apply object snaps, and work with the User Coordinate System. The final topics covered include editing objects and using rotation and scale, array techniques, grip editing, offsets, fillet and chamfer, and trim and extend.
Key Information
The Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep course takes approximately 18 hours to complete. The class is free, but students must pay $49 to access graded assignments and earn a shareable digital certification of completion. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. Payment is due before the class starts. The course is designed for professionals and students preparing for the Autodesk Certified Professional exam, but the class alone will not guarantee students qualify to take the test. Autodesk requires exam participants to have worked with AutoCAD regularly for at least two years, equivalent to approximately 400 hours (minimum) to 1,200 hours (recommended). As a result, Coursera states the course may be better suited for professionals already working in the field rather than students. Visit Autodesk to download a free trial of AutoCAD and see system requirements.
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An Autodesk Certified Professional teaches the course, and in reviews, students praised the class format and the instructor’s expertise. AJ said, “This is a good online course and helps me to study AutoCAD easily at home.” Swapnil B. said, "This is the first time I have attended a class in this format, and (I) wondered how effective it would be. It was very effective…the instructor was very knowledgeable and provided a wealth of information about the current version.” Emily S. said, “I have been using AutoCAD for about ten years now, and it was amazing to see how many commands/shortcuts I did not know. This course will definitely help to improve my workflow.”
#4: Skillshare—Autodesk AutoCAD Masterclass: the Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD
Skillshare is an online learning community featuring over 35,000 classes on design, illustration, photography, video, freelancing, and more. The Autodesk AutoCAD Masterclass: The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD course helps beginner-level students quickly master the skills to create drawings. Topics covered include working with properties and layers, edit commands, blocks, annotation, dimensions, hatching, templates, xRefs, and printing. Students also explore the Xline command, the Revision Cloud, wipeout, and publishing. The course ends with a review of the Autodesk Certified User Exam.
Key Information
The Autodesk AutoCAD Masterclass: The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD is a free tutorial featuring 91 lessons broken into 11 hours of instruction. The cost of a Skillshare subscription is $13.75 monthly or $165 billed annually. All students are eligible for a one-month free trial, which includes unlimited access to all Skillshare courses. The free trial enables students to take the course free of charge by simply creating an account with a credit card or Apple Pay on Skillshare and canceling before the month expires. Skillshare sends students an email reminder seven days before the free trial period ends. There are no prerequisites for this course.
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Students who join the course automatically receive a 50 percent discount on the official AutoCAD certification exam, which costs around $200 full price. The class is highly rated by students for its clarity of instruction and organization of lessons. Melissa H. said, “The teacher was excellent, and the pacing and organization of their downloads were brilliant.” Fiona S. said, “In these ten hours, I have learned much more and am much faster than I was over a whole semester at school.” Students added that the course is perfect for beginners or users who want to improve their existing AutoCAD skills. Orlando said, “This was a great refresher course to help me remember all the old shortcuts and catch up on what has changed in the last ten years.”
#5: New York Institute of Art & Design (NYIAD)—AutoCAD Course Online (On-Demand)
The New York Institute of Art and Design (NYIAD) is an online design school featuring career certificate courses in interior design, graphic design, user experience, and front-end web development. NYIAD’s AutoCAD Course Online is for beginner and experienced designers who want to master the AutoCAD software. Students who complete this course qualify to take the Autodesk AutoCAD Certified User Certification exam. Students participate in
A series of practice tests throughout the course to help prepare for the certification exam.
Topics covered include creating line drawings and objects using commands, layers, and macros, how to modify object properties and drafting settings, creating traditional isometric drawings and 3D modeling files, and more. Whether the goal is to pass the Autodesk certification exam, learn a new skill, or advance their careers, this course helps students master AutoCAD.
Key Information
NYIAD states the average completion time for their courses ranges from eight to 12 months. Students have up to 18 months to complete the AutoCAD Course Online at no additional charge. Students can choose from two payment plans. The first plan requires a payment of $899 upfront. The second option is a monthly bill plan of $1,199, where students pay $59 per month. Tuition includes 24/7 access to online course materials prepared by industry experts. Students are allowed 14 days to review the course risk-free. After 14 days, cancellation can be made at any time with the possibility of a refund based on how much of the course has been completed. Students can save 25 percent if they enroll in more than one NYIAD program. Financial assistance is available to members of the U.S. military and their spouses. An added benefit of this course is that NYIAD pairs students with industry professionals who serve as AutoCAD mentors by phone or email. Mentors provide valuable feedback and answer questions to help students complete the course. There are no prerequisites for this class.
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Please note the examples and instructions in this course are based on the Windows version of AutoCAD. While the basic functions are mostly the same, some Mac users may find it difficult to follow along with some lessons. Students earn a NYIAD Certificate in AutoCAD upon completing this course. When registering for the AutoCAD Course Online, students can pay the fee for the Autodesk certification exam as an optional add-on for $125 (a 10 percent savings off the full certification cost). The course earned excellent reviews, and students praised the mentors and flexibility of the class. Autumn said, “I always felt as though I had someone there cheering me on. I never felt alone, and everything worked with my schedule. They were absolutely the best.” Denise A. said, “I feel the course is easy to follow; the flexibility is very helpful when you are working full-time.” Sergey said, “The program is very well designed and laid out. Advisers and counselors were professional and helpful.”
#6: ONLC—AutoCAD Complete Course (On-Demand)
The AutoCAD Complete Course combines ONLC’s AutoCAD Fundamentals, AutoCAD Advanced, and AutoCAD 3D Drawing Modeling classes. The video lessons provide instructor demonstrations of key AutoCAD features and concepts. Students will also participate in hands-on practice exercises that they would typically encounter while using the software. Topics covered include basic and editing commands, creating a simple drawing, advanced object types, blocks, layouts, dimensions, and more. The course ends with graded review questions to test student knowledge.
Key Information
The AutoCAD Complete Course costs $1,195 and includes one year of unlimited 24/7 access to the video course lessons. Full payment is due before the class starts. ONLC also offers AutoCAD Certification Bundles, which allow students to learn the software while preparing for the Autodesk AutoCAD Certified User (ACU) or AutoCAD Certified Professional (ACP) exams at a discounted price. The Bundles include the on-demand course, exam prep, and exam voucher. To participate in the class, students must download the AutoCAD software and have a device with a high-speed internet connection. System requirements include an internet connection of 768 kbps or greater, a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768, and a Flash Player 10+ (not required for mobile devices). Students can download AutoCAD from the Autodesk website, where a free 30-day trial is available. Before taking this course, students should know basic design or drafting procedures and terminology. Students should also be familiar with the Windows operating system. Please note: this course is designed for Windows OS and not for Mac users. Also, on-demand courses are unavailable for cancellation, refund, or credit once ordered.
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Students gave the course positive reviews and praised the comprehensive content. Linda said, "I would strongly recommend ONLC courses to other individuals who require additional software skills with limited time availability." Barbara said, “I am so impressed with ONLC – the courses; the manuals which are actually usable, readable and understandable; and the instructors.”
#7: CAD Training Online (CTO)—AutoCAD Introduction (On-Demand)
CAD Training Online (CTO) is a software training institute featuring live online and self-paced courses in AutoCAD, architecture, manufacturing, and animation. The AutoCAD Introductioncourse gives students a solid understanding of AutoCAD features and capabilities. CTO courses feature text, audio, video, interactivity, and quizzes. Students follow a workflow-based approach to learning by mirroring real-life projects. Topics covered include 2D drawing skills, editing entities, working with splines and polylines, using layers, creating and editing text, dimensioning, and creating blocks.
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AutoCAD Introduction is designed for new AutoCAD users, and payment is due in full before the start of the course. Prerequisites include a working knowledge of drafting, design, or engineering principles and experience with Microsoft Windows. CTO states the duration of the course varies for each student. Some students complete the training in a few weeks, while others take a few months. This class is available for one year from the date of registration and is listed as an eight-day course. There are two options for purchasing CTO self-paced courses: The Flexible Training Program is $395 and does not include a CTO certificate. Tuition includes lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and assessment questions. This format does not require students to complete each chapter in pre-designated order and allows students to learn any topic as needed. The Complete Training Program is $525 and includes lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and assessment questions. This format requires students to complete each chapter in pre-designated order. Students who complete a chapter by passing the assessment with a minimum score of 80 percent can progress to the next level. This option includes a CTO certificate of completion after passing the course. Both programs offer 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
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If students have questions during the course, they can access support via email from Certified Autodesk software users. Reviews for AutoCAD Introduction are overall positive, with many students praising the course content and instruction. Silene V. said, “What a great way to learn AutoCAD…customized to my busy schedule and from the comfort of my own computer!” Adam C. said. “I would strongly recommend this course to absolutely anyone who is interested in learning the basics of AutoCAD. Even those who have limited computer skills can learn.”
#8: CADLabWorld—AutoCAD Online Training (On-Demand)
The AutoCAD Online Training Course is an intensive eight-hour program that allows students to quickly master the software to become a professional CAD Designer. The course is divided into 11 chapters and covers topics including creating and editing objects, layers and properties, annotative text and scaling, and drawing templates. The class also features training in annotative hatches, drawing comparison functions, data management and utilization, and more. Once students complete this course, they will have all the skills necessary to succeed as an AutoCAD professional in the workplace. All participants also receive a Complete AutoCAD Strategy Guide featuring valuable information that can be referred to after the course is complete, allowing lifetime learning access.
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The AutoCAD Online Training Course costs $279.99, and payment is due before class starts. Students are allowed digital access to the course for up to one year from registration, allowing them to learn AutoCAD at their own pace. There are no discounts or payment plans available. Previous AutoCAD experience is optional to take this course, and there are no prerequisites.
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The AutoCAD Online Training Course is taught by an Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional. The class earned excellent reviews from students for its comprehensive content. M.S. said, “When I applied for the course, I thought it would be difficult to master it in two days, but the explanation was very detailed and easy to understand.” K.S. said, “We had two of our new employees take this course. Neither of them had any CAD experience, but they were able to use AutoCAD immediately … in a short period of time, they are now ready to work.”
#9: SourceCAD—AutoCAD Certification Exam Preparation Course (On-Demand)
SourceCAD is a CAD and engineering e-learning content provider. The AutoCAD Certification Exam Preparation Course is for intermediate/advanced-level AutoCAD users preparing for the Autodesk user and professional certificates. It is recommended for Architects, Civil Engineers, Interior Designers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Product Designers, and hobbyists. The course covers the topics featured in the AutoCAD certification exam and includes practice tests. Although the class is on-demand, it features a Q&A section where students can ask the instructor questions. SourceCAD also offers a free AutoCAD tutorial series on its website and has a YouTube channel.
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The AutoCAD Certification Exam Preparation Course consists of four hours and ten minutes of video featuring two practice tests, 145 practice questions, and one mock exam. Monthly subscriptions to SourceCAD cost $49, which include one-month access to all of SourceCAD’s courses. Annual subscriptions cost $490 (a 17 percent savings) and allow students to enroll in all classes for one year. In addition, all subscriptions include access to discussion forums, practice exercises and projects, and personal instructor project feedback. Subscriptions automatically renew monthly or annually and can be canceled at any time. Discounts are available for schools, colleges, and teams of five or more. Students who aren’t satisfied with the course are eligible for a free refund within 30 days of purchase (as long as it wasn’t purchased from a third-party website). The course is compatible with all versions of AutoCAD, particularly versions 2016 or later. The Windows operating system is recommended for the class, but Mac users can also participate.
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Students receive a SourceCAD certificate of completion once they have finished the course. Downloadable class files with lifetime access are also included in the tuition. The class received favorable student reviews for its easy-to-follow content, helpful course materials, and affordable price. Janina C. said, “I love this course so much. The instruction is simple and takes you through everything step by step.” Gilbert said, “Each video has a section where you can comment or post a question in which the professor could reply with an answer as quickly as possible. Great program at a very low price! Two thumbs up!” Greg G. said, “Videos were clear and concise. Downloadable example files were very helpful.”
#10: CAD in Black (YouTube Channel)—AutoCAD Complete Tutorial for Beginners (On-Demand)
CAD in Black is a YouTube channel with nearly 250,000 subscribers and over 22 million views. It features almost 250 free AutoCAD tutorials with step-by-step exercises and tips and tricks to help students master the software. The AutoCAD Complete Tutorial for Beginners was developed by channel creator Fabio Sanchez and is divided into six parts. This beginner course covers AutoCAD’s core concepts and fundamentals, including drawing lines, modifying objects, inserting text, scaling objects, dimension lines, and more.
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The AutoCAD Complete Tutorial is one hour and 40 minutes long. The course is free and can be watched as often as students find necessary. The tutorial features the AutoCAD 2020 version, but it is conducted in a way that students with earlier versions can understand. The channel also has an active community of subscribers interacting and asking questions in the comments section posted below the tutorials.
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The AutoCAD Complete Tutorial for Beginners has nearly three million views on YouTube and has earned excellent student reviews. Marshal A. said, “Other teachers/content creators should learn from this tutorial how to teach software. The pacing, clear-cut examples, and the exercises all make this video a great tutorial.” Kim K. said, “I am a true beginner with AutoCAD and devouring all knowledge out there I can find. By far, the best I have found are your tutorials.” Wen B. said, “This is the best tutorial I have seen on YouTube; very professional.“
#11: Pluralsight—Introduction to AutoCAD (On-Demand)
Pluralsight is an online educational platform featuring a library of over 7,000 technology courses and 1,500 expert instructors. Pluralsight’s Introduction to AutoCADcourse helps students familiarize themselves with the AutoCAD interface and toolset and understand how to use the software. The course covers tabs, ribbons, and panels and then moves on to the 2D and 3D workspace tools. By the end of class, students will know how to use drawing, modification, and annotation tools and have a solid understanding of AutoCAD.
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This beginner-level course is 2.5 hours. Pluralsight’s subscription-based pricing plans offer courses for novice, proficient, and expert learners. The Standard subscription is $29 monthly or $299 annually. The Standard option provides access to Pluralsight’s core course library of over 2,500 classes, skills and role assessments, and curated learning paths and channels. The Premium subscription costs $45 monthly or $449 annually and includes access to an expanded course library of over 7,000, exams, projects, and hands-on learning. A 10-day or 200-minute free trial is included. Students also have the option to set up a free account featuring limited access to over 200 free skill assessments to measure proficiency in a specific tech skill.
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Pluralsight received many favorable reviews from students. Jenn G. said, “Out of the many online learning platforms I've experienced, I find Pluralsight the most engaging—you can test your knowledge about a topic before taking a course to ensure you aren't learning content you already know well. The content is extremely clear, the teachings are concise and to the point!”
Another student praised the content of course videos. “Videos are small and focused with great presentations/visualizations to get a quick understanding of the topic.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an On-demand AutoCAD Class Worth It?
If your schedule is too tight to attend a structured in-person or live online course, an on-demand AutoCAD class is your best bet to learn these valuable skills. On-demand courses are self-paced, and many are free of charge or available at low cost. You can find several choices online that cover the basics for beginners or more advanced AutoCAD topics for experienced users. There are different types of on-demand courses available online. Many students prefer more structured self-paced courses offered by accredited schools rather than following along with homemade YouTube videos created by amateurs not affiliated with a program. So before you commit to a class, it’s a good idea to research online reviews or the comments section below the tutorials to help gauge the quality of the content.
What Will I Need for an On-demand AutoCAD Class?
To take an on-demand course, students need a computer with a reliable internet connection and a copy of the AutoCAD software. You can purchase and download AutoCAD from the Autodesk website or take advantage of their free 30-day trial. To run AutoCAD, Autodesk recommends a fast processor, minimum memory storage of 8GB, and at least 8GB of RAM (16GB is optimal). Please note that many on-demand courses are geared toward Windows users rather than Mac users, so ensure you have the right equipment before purchasing a class.
Can I Learn AutoCAD On-demand for Free?
Yes, you can learn AutoCAD on-demand for free. But before you get started, there are some essential factors to consider: First, AutoCAD is a complex software with many tools and commands. While some schools allow you to email instructors with questions, most on-demand courses do not provide any instructor feedback. While you can also teach yourself basic AutoCAD concepts through YouTube videos and online tutorials, experts agree the most effective way to learn the software thoroughly is in a structured course taught by an expert instructor. In addition, many schools offering on-demand courses include a certification of completion you can showcase on your resume or post on LinkedIn, which YouTube tutorials do not provide. However, exploring the many free resources online can be an excellent way to familiarize yourself with AutoCAD before taking a more structured class. There are hundreds of free AutoCAD tutorials on YouTube; just be sure to watch the most recent videos since the software is frequently updated.
The Autodesk website is another valuable resource for free AutoCAD video tutorials, blogs, tips and tricks, and more. You can also consider joining an online forum on websites like CADForum, CADTutor.net, Reddit, and Facebook. Participating in these communities is an excellent way to connect with peers, ask questions, share information, and collaborate on projects. Forums also allow you to network in real-time with like-minded individuals and keep up with the latest industry trends—at no cost.
Is It Better to Learn AutoCAD in a Live or Self-paced Class?
The optimal way to learn AutoCAD depends on a few critical factors. For example, your learning style, schedule, budget, and motivation will all play a key role in this decision. Do you learn better in courses where you can interact with instructors and fellow students? If so, then live online or in-person learning is your best choice. Learning AutoCAD in these formats allows you to receive valuable instructor feedback and network with peers—something you won’t benefit from in a self-paced course. Also, in-person and live online learning requires students to adhere to a set schedule and structured curriculum with deadlines and an instructor holding them accountable.
In contrast, self-paced classes are flexible and allow you to learn at your own pace and convenience. But remember, AutoCAD is a complex software that may be challenging to learn independently. And self-paced courses require a lot of self-motivation and discipline; some students may find it hard to stay on track. On the other hand, if you have family and job commitments or a tight budget that prevents you from attending a live online class, self-paced learning would be the optimal choice since it’s a convenient and affordable way to learn.