AutoCAD, computer software as a tool for technical drawing.

I have to admit that most Bumiputera entrepreneurs are still lacking in computer skills, including those who are internet savvy, many are not aware of various important computer softwares that essential to managing and operating a business.

As a qualified and selected consultant for BPU (Bahagian Pembangunan Usahawan) of MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat), I have introduced several important softwares from 'Accounting', 'Bar Code applications', 'Project Management', 'Government’s procurement engine' to 'Industrial designing tools' etc. to our entrepreneurs.

This month I am involved in the training of AutoCAD for the Bumiputera entrepreneurs of MARA, hence my busy schedule has started to rule my time. Autocad? Some of us may have very little or no knowledge on this computer application even if our involvement in technical drawing is on a routine basis. So what is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a computer aided design software specializing in technical drawing be it architectural drawing, mechanical or electrical drawing to general drawing from furniture to embroidery to fashion. AutoCAD is a product of AutoDesk, selling at average Malaysian retail price of RM16,700.00 (+/-) per license (AutoCAD 2008) for one year and license renewal about 10% of the price for subsequent years. I have to admit, that the price is considered expensive, but is the software worth it? Let us see what it can do to business productivity.

AutoCAD has the ability to draw in precise scale and shapes what we have conceptually design in sketch and illustrated right to our computer and latter to be printed or communicated to machines for production; example, embroidery machines or furniture making machines.

The process of drawing by computer using AutoCAD is easy, simple and less time consuming without any assistance from all the conventional technical drawing instruments, provided the operator of AutoCAD has undergone training with specialists or knowledgeable with the software. A picture of a screw driver can be drawn in less than 1 minute by an experienced operator with design and scale accuracy while a full scale building plan can be drawn in less than 7 minutes.

AutoCAD drawing can furthermore transform appropriate single or 2 dimensional drawing into 3 dimensional in very simple steps, therefore, its suitability for engineering or mechanical firms. Architects often use the software to draw complicated building designs from a mere conceptual sketched ideas and watch the almost perfect draft in different angles and dimensions of the building with the 3 dimensional capacity of AutoCAD.

The best thing about the software is that you don’t need to possess advance technical drawing knowledge to operate the software. Just a Malaysian form three secondary school modern math as a basic will be adequate to learn to draw sophisticated drawings using the software.

However, the first-class software is not without flaws (not to mention the high price), as all machines need creative input from human, so does the software. Design is actually from you while the machine delivers precisely whatever you conceptualize or sketch in the human brain into technical drawing.

Nevertheless, do remember, unlike Photoshop from Adobe and the open source GIMP that specializing in graphic and photo manipulation or Corel Draw that specializing in free hand computer drawing, AutoCAD is meant for technical drawing only.

Thus AutoCAD software is very suitable for industry and entrepreneurs such as dress maker and embroidery, any type of contractors (electrical, building, automotive, mechanical) to big scale manufacturing business as long as there are lots of technical drawing involved in the operation.

MARA is organizing several ‘4 days workshop’ conducted by me (personally will impart my knowledge in AutoCAD) in November and December. I welcome and congratulate those selected by MARA to be in my class. For my students, do pay attention as the cost to acquire the knowledge from several Malaysian training providers is very expensive (around RM3, 000.00 per person non intensive and RM5, 000.00 intensive course) although with MARA you are highly subsidised.