Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!rutgers!ucla-cs!zen!ucbvax!decvax!decwrl!labrea!glacier!jbn
From: jbn@glacier.STANFORD.EDU (John B. Nagle)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Going into CAD
Message-ID: <17271@glacier.STANFORD.EDU>
Date: 2 Jan 88 18:51:16 GMT
References: <391@xroads.UUCP>
Reply-To: jbn@glacier.UUCP (John B. Nagle)
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 51


In article <391@xroads.UUCP> bethel@xroads.UUCP (Ben Bethel) writes:
>
>   1. What are some good colleges that offer CAD in the world?
>   2. Is it better to go into computer animation or into computer
>architecture?
>   3. Where could I see some GOOD computer animation and computer
>architecture?
>   4. How well does a job in CAD pay?

      Computer-aided design (CAD) is a tool for designers, not a career in
itself.  If you become an architect, mechanical engineer, or electrical
engineer, you will probably use a CAD system.  But it will be a tool 
that you use when designing things, and unless you know how to design,
CAD will not be very useful to you.  Check out engineering schools,
starting with MIT.

      There are "CAD operators" who just enter data into CAD systems from
various data sources.  Such people are not well paid; as a job it ranks
slightly above typing, data entry, and word processing.  If this is what
you are looking for, you can obtain the location of the AutoCAD training
center nearest you by calling 415-332-2344.  This will be some large
computer dealership with a classroom full of PCs running AutoCAD, the
most widely used CAD system in the world.  Most people who take such
training are already familiar with drafting and just want to do it faster
on a computer.  Actually, if you know how to draft with the traditional
tools, you can learn to use a CAD system in a few days.

      Computer animation is a tool for artists.  The artistic standards for
computer animation are rising rapidly.  There's a "computer animation
festival" film made every year and shown in theaters around the country.
Watch for it in your area; it will give you an idea of what is being
done and who is doing it.  The number of people doing computer animation
is much smaller than the number doing CAD, and most of the work is in
the advertising field.  Here you need to become a good representational
artist.  By now you probably know if this is a direction in which you
want to go.  

     If you want to design and implement CAD systems or computer animation
systems, you need a heavy programming and math background.  Most computing
related jobs do not use much linear math.  This is not true of graphics.
You need a clear understanding of ordinary algebra, trigonometry, 
vector analysis, elementary matrix algebra, and computational geometry.
Most of this is classical engineering math, the sort of thing one needs
to design bridges and generators.  See "Microcomputer Displays, Graphics,
and Animation" by Bruce Artwick (who wrote Flight Simulator) for some
idea of what's involved in serious graphics.

					Good luck

					John Nagle