FAQs

CAD Training Online’s Virtual CAD Classroom events are a convenient way to experience direct interaction with an Autodesk Certified Instructor without the costs associated with travel to off-site locations and public training venues. This method of attending training is very cost-effective while still offering all of the benefits of face-to-face delivery.

CAD Training Online has created best practices for delivering virtual training that set the industry standard through our “bring the classroom on-line” approach, affording participants the ability to interact with the presenter and even network with other students.

Through the combination of live instructor interaction, High Definition VOIP and live video desktop sharing within the training portal we are able to 100% simulate the classroom experience.

• Same expert instructors as our classroom training
• Same content – enhanced for online delivery
• Save time and money by avoiding expensive travel
• Higher skill retention
• Zero travel expenses and no carbon footprint
• Efficient training for coworkers across multiple locations
• Classes available both day and night
• Train at home, office, or anywhere you have an Internet connection
• Lab access for full duration of class
• 100% Student Satisfaction Program

When we first offered training for Autodesk products, it was accomplished in a traditional classroom setting, with a typical class session lasting about 6 hours, once a week. This training method was most effective, because it gave students a week to practice the skills covered in the class.

Today, classes are scheduled for 3 to 5 contiguous days due to scheduling and travel considerations for students and instructors alike. Most companies today cannot afford to have employees out for 3 to 5 days at one time. Online training gives all the benefits of effective classroom training without the hassle.

The primary benefit to Live Online Virtual Classroom Training is cost savings. During our current economic environment we have watched this form of training grow to represent over 50% of our offered training services.

This method of instruction does not require any travel at all. The cost savings per student for a typical four day training class exceeds $1000.00 when you take into account travel, lodging and meal expenses. Imagine what your company can save by not having to send students away from the office.

Not having to travel has several benefits beyond simple cost savings:

Students have a far higher retention when not having to attend an all day class. Training is pointless if the students return to work and cannot perform what needs to be done. This one reason alone is why most companies choose CAD Training Online’s instructor led training.

Students who do not have to travel from the office are more apt to be able to take care of business during class breaks. In addition, not having to travel means that multi-day classes do not have to be run consecutively day after day. Eliminating travel allows us to split multi-day classes up anyway we need to. Want to train only on Wednesdays? How about Tuesday and Thursday nights? We can create a custom schedule to match anyone’s needs.

Think of the carbon footprint that you leave behind when you have to drive or fly to a training class. Eliminating travel almost completely eliminates this impact.

It is widely known that the impact and benefits of properly conducted instructor-led training far outweighs any other form of software training. Watching boring training videos can’t help you when you have questions that are not covered in the video.

Live instructor-led training allows for 100% teacher to student interaction. Our classes typically have a student to teacher ratio of only 4 to 1. Ensuring you the attention and hand holding that you expect from an instructor led class.

Not at all! Live Online Virtual CAD Classroom Training is completely different than any computer-based training that you have ever experienced. It is so unique that Autodesk has allowed CAD Training Online to become the world’s first Online Only Autodesk Authorized Training Center.

Everyone has participated in some form of e-learning where one simply watches a video and can’t ask any questions that come up. Or perhaps have had to attend a training Webinar that consists of nothing more than PowerPoint slides and lengthy software demonstrations.

These passive forms of training do not lend themselves to hands on practice or interaction with a certified CAD educator. For training on complex CAD software, these forms of training are mediocre at best. Beware! All of our competitors offer this form of training.

When attending the CAD Training Online’s classes each student is provided with everything needed to participate in class.

All required courseware is shipped directly to the student’s office. Once in the virtual CAD classroom the instructor can see each student’s computer in real time and the student can see the instructor’s computer at all times. When the student is in need of direct assistance the instructor can take control of the student’s computer and directly show the student how to solve the problem. The instructor can even share a student’s computer with the entire class so that everyone can learn from what someone else has discovered. Toll free conference calls allow for the audio portion of the training. This is just like being in a live classroom except that you didn’t have to leave your home or office.

It is widely known that the impact and benefits of properly conducted instructor-led training far outweighs any other form of software training. Watching boring training videos can’t help when someone has questions that are not covered in the video. Only live instructor-led training allows for 100% teacher/student interaction. CAD Training Online classes typically have a student to teacher ratio of only 4 to 1, ensuring the attention and hand holding that is expected from a professionally conducted instructor led class.

One benefit to Live Online Virtual Classroom Training is cost savings. During our current economic environment we have watched this form of training grow to represent over 90% of our offered training services. This method of instruction does not require any travel at all. The cost savings per student for a typical four day training class exceeds $1,000 when taken into account travel, lodging and meal expenses.

Not having to travel has several benefits beyond simple cost savings:

Students who do not have to travel from the office are more apt to be able to take care of business during class breaks. In addition, not having to travel means that multi-day classes do not have to be run consecutively day after day. Eliminating travel allows to split multi-day classes up anyway we need to. Want to train only on Wednesdays? How about Tuesday and Thursday nights? CAD Training Online can create a custom schedule to match anyone’s needs.

Think of the carbon footprint that is left behind when one has to drive or fly to a training class. Eliminating travel almost completely eliminates this impact.

Here’s the special part that makes us unique:

Once in the Virtual CAD Classroom the instructor can see each student’s computer in real time and the student can see the instructor’s computer at all times. When the student is in need of direct assistance the instructor can take control of the student’s computer and directly show the student how to solve the problem. The instructor can even share a student’s computer with the entire class so that everyone can learn from what someone else has discovered.

This is just like being in a live classroom except you didn’t have to leave your home or office.

To attend this method of training you will need a computer that can connect to the internet via a stable high-speed internet connection. Your connection needs to be at least 1 Mb for both download and upload. You can utilize this website to test your internet connection speed. https://www.speedtest.net/ Please test several different locations to ensure that you can achieve an average download and upload speed of at least 1 Mb. Testing should be run during peak times of internet activity in your office.

Apple computers will work if they have a Windows operating system installed via the Mac BootCamp utility or Parallels Desktop.

If you do not have a headset for your computer audio you will also need a speakerphone that does not operate on batteries.  You don’t want to hold a phone for hours at a time.  Cordless phones’ batteries will die after a couple of hours.  So please make sure that you have a standard speakerphone, a computer with speakers and a built-in microphone or a USB headset.

PLEASE NOTE THAT AUTODESK NO LONGER GIVES AWAY FREE SOFTWARE UNLESS YOU ARE A STUDENT AT AN ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

CAD TRAINING ONLINE IS AN AUTODESK TRAINING CENTER AND IS NOT AN ACCREDITED TRAINING INSTITUTION THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO QUALIFY FOR FREE SOFTWARE FROM AUTODESK.

PLEASE READ THIS FAQ FROM AUTODESK TO BETTER UNDERSTAND IF YOU QUALIFY FOR ACCESS TO FREE SOFTWARE.

AUTODESK EDUCATION FAQ

For Students: If you are unable to attend as planned, please call CAD Training Online 866-933-7049 ext. 702 as soon as possible.  If you give at least five (5) working days notice prior to the first day of class, you may cancel or reschedule your enrollment without an additional charge; however, because class sizes are limited, student cancellations made less than five (5) business days prior to the first day of class will be charged the full class fees.  Under these circumstances, students will be allowed to re-register to attend the same class at a future date.  Student substitutions are acceptable with at least one (1) day’s notice prior to class beginning.

Refunds will have credit card processing fees, shipping and the cost of the training manuals deducted from the refund.

Yes!

We fully support AUTOCAD on a Mac. Any other program will require Parallels to run Windows on your Mac.

Each instructor computer is outfitted with a webcam. (You do not need a webcam.)

Most instructors use the camera during the introductions and briefly when coming back from breaks so that you will be able to put a face to the voice. Video of the instructor is not running throughout the course.

You will; however, be able to see the instructor’s computer screen and the whiteboard work for the duration of the class.

You simply ask a question as you would in a regular class. – We do not use chat to communicate. That would never work for a class. Only HD audio is used in CAD Training Online classes.

HD Audio is handled via your computer’s built-in speakers and microphone (any laptop built within the last 5 years has these) or you can purchase a USB headset.

If you do not have a headset for your computer audio you will also need a speakerphone that does not operate on batteries. You don’t want to hold a phone for hours at a time. Cordless phones’ batteries will die after a couple of hours.

Make sure that you have a standard speakerphone, a computer with speakers and a built-in microphone or a USB headset.

Just ask for help like in a regular class. The instructor is able to see the computer you are using while you are in class and can take control of that mouse and keyboard to provide you with individualized attention and help as needed.

For online instructor-led classes, as well as our traditional face-to-face events, our typical maximum class size is 8. That’s been our standard for 25 years of training.

In 2023, our average class size was under 5 students. By keeping class sizes smaller we’re able to ensure personalized attention for the students regardless of the instructor’s physical location – in the same room, across the country, or somewhere in between.

Our remote classrooms can typically have one to four students in an event. CAD Training Online requires a minimum of two students to conduct a class.

Of course, you can attend via online instructor led from your home or office.

To attend from your own location you should have at minimum a computer with a high-speed internet connection, a USB headset or a speaker/hands-free phone with unlimited long-distance.

While we hope that you find someplace comfortable to attend class, please ensure that you will not be interrupted during the training. Learning a complex CAD program is challenging enough. The last thing that you need is a distraction while you are learning.

OUR SELF-PACED TRAINING IS COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 7, WINDOWS 8, WINDOWS 10, AND WINDOWS 11. WINDOWS XP IS SUPPORTED, BUT ONLY WITH SPECIFIC VERSIONS OF THE AUTODESK SOFTWARE. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR COMPUTER IS CAPABLE OF RUNNING THE VERSION OF THE AUTODESK SOFTWARE THAT YOU NEED TO LEARN.

Types of Training

We offer training in several different formats. Please speak with one of our training consultants to find which style bests fits your budget, learning style and needs.

Online Virtual Classroom Training (Live Instructor led class) is a unique way to match the “live” classroom training experience without traveling. This isn’t passive computer-based training – it’s presented by a live instructor in an virtual classroom where students conference in remotely via the internet. We provide everything you need to attend, participate and to excel. No time or budget to travel? Virtual class offerings use the exact same content and same expert instructors in a remote environment. You will use HD Audio or you can dial into a conference call to participate in the class and receive help from the instructor who will monitor your progress 100% of the time.

Online Self-Paced Training – Is perfect for busy people that want to reach their training goals. Self-paced training from CAD Training Online consists of training videos, hands on exercises and self-assessments that are all taught by Autodesk Certified Instructors. With over 100,000 classes sold over the past five years, CAD Training Online has provided more than 5,000,000 hours of quality self-paced training to people all over the world.

Company Dedicated Training brings the regular open enrollment course to your company or department. Preferred by groups who have adopted new technologies, dedicated classes focus on your organization’s needs. This type of training can help your business save up to 45% off of our standard open enrollment pricing.

Custom Tailored Training – Receive specific training for those topics that you use most or customize our standard classes to best suit your needs. We will develop a custom curriculum based on your requirements and can teach this course in our Training Center, online or at your office. Course outlines are a collaborative effort with the organization and the professional Autodesk Authorized instructor who will be providing your training.

No worries, we accept corporate purchase orders after completing a simple credit application (call or e-mail and we’ll send it right over).  Please note that payment is due prior to training, so don’t wait until the last minute to ask your boss if you can attend your selected class.

Our training consultants will work with you to ensure that you attend the training that best fits your needs.  Just give us a call at 866-933-7049 and our training coordinators will help you with attending the right class at the right time.