Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Portland Community College, SE Center, SCOM Building, Room 214
Mark Hagen, Instructor 971.722.4476 – Glen Truman, Instructor 971.722.6236 – Alfred McQuarters, Division Dean 971.722.6249
mhagen@pcc.edu
gtruman@pcc.edu
alfred.mcquarters@pcc.edu
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Certificate in Computer Aided Design and Drafting - 42 credit hours of Computer Aided Design and Drafting courses for the 2014-15
calendar. Consult a program advisor for assistance in planning your program.
Career Description
Design drafters are skilled technicians who interpret engineering data to produce sketches, plans and detailed working drawings used in
manufacturing and construction. Career opportunities exist for drafters in many areas including: product design, electronic schematic, sheet
metal layout, structural steel detailing, special tools and fixtures and machine design. Graduates are found working for manufacturing firms,
construction companies, engineering firms, city, state and federal agencies or they may be self employed. Advancement to positions of designer,
drafting supervisor or engineering technician are possible.
Program Requirements
Students new to the Computer Aided Design and Drafting certificate program must take the college’s placement examinations prior to program
advising and registration. It is advised that students place in MTH 60 and WR115 before registering for first term drafting classes, or have
department approval.
Consult a program advisor for information on PCC’s policy for acceptance of courses taken at other colleges or high schools, or the
transferability of PCC courses to other institutions.
Certificate: Computer Aided Design and Drafting
Fall Term
CADD 160
CADD 126
CADD 136
CADD 100
Drafting Fundamentals
Introduction to AutoCAD
Intermediate AutoCAD
Drafting Orientation
Winter Term
CADD 165
CADD 185
CADD 246
CADD 175
Intermediate Drafting
Inventor Fundamentals
AutoCAD 3D – Modeling
SolidWorks Fundamentals
Spring Term
CADD 265
CADD 256
CADD 255
CADD 275
CADD 285
Advanced Drafting
Advanced AutoCAD
Kinematics Drafting
SolidWorks Advanced
Inventor Advanced
Select Course Descriptions
CADD 100 Drafting Orientation 3 Cr. - Designed to acquaint students with firms that employ drafters and designers. Students observe product
lines and manufacturing operations through visual media or facility tours. Covers the fundamentals of technical report writing, memos, resume
development, and internet research of technical products related to drafting and design.
CADD 126 Introduction to AutoCAD 3 Cr. - Introduces AutoCAD software as a design tool. Instructions will be given in the operation of both
hard disk and flexible disk data storage, and plotting. Covers creation, retrieval and modification of drawings that meet industry standards using
basic AutoCAD commands.
CADD 265 Advanced Drafting 4 Cr. - Reviews and incorporates material presented in CADD 160 and CADD 126. Introduces Threads and
Fasteners, Springs, Working Drawings, and Documentation. Prerequisite: CADD 165.
CADD 185 AutoCAD Inventor Fundamentals 3 Cr. – Introduces AutoCAD Inventor as a feature rich, parametric 3D design tool for assemblycentric modeling and collaborative engineering. Develops fundamental knowledge in the areas of part and assembly modeling, using adaptive
features and parts, utilizing work groups, surfacing basics, managing data, and the Engineer’s Notebook.
CADD 246 AutoCAD 3-D and Solid Modeling 3 Cr. - Provides thorough coverage of 3D drafting and design procedures. Concepts examined
include 2D and 3D primitives, user coordinate systems, 3D v-points, complex extrusions, regions, shading and rendering, 3D solid models, and
supportive AutoCAD 3D databases. Prerequisite: CADD 136.
CADD 175 SolidWorks Fundamentals 3 Cr. - Introduces SolidWorks software as a 3D design tool. Covers creation, retrieval and modification of
3D and layout drawings using basic SolidWorks commands. Includes skills needed to create parametric models of parts and assemblies, generate
dimensioned layouts, and Bill of Materials of those parts and assemblies.
CADD 275 SolidWorks Advanced 3 Cr. – Covers advanced editing and modeling options, configurations of assemblies, sheet metal, and topdown assembly modeling. Prerequisite: CADD 175.
CADD 285 AutoCAD Inventor Advanced 3 Cr. – Covers advanced techniques used in creating and modifying parametric, assembly-centric 3D
models with AutoCAD Inventor. Develops extensive knowledge in the areas of part and assembly modeling, adaptive features, utilizing work
groups, surfacing, managing data, and the Engineer’s Notebook. Prerequisite: CADD 185.
Portland Community College
Frequently Asked Questions about Computer Aided Design and Drafting - CADD
1. What CADD software programs are taught at Portland Community College?
There are numerous computer programs used by the Computer Aided Design and Drafting department.
These softwares include:
AutoCAD Release 2015
Autodesk Inventor 2015
SolidWorks 2014
2. What skills do I need in order to take these classes?
Depending on the class you choose, there may be entry level prerequisites. For Introductory AutoCAD,
there are no prerequisites. For classes such as Inventor Advanced and SolidWorks Advanced, there are
a few classes you may be required to take.
Before taking any CADD class, you should be proficient in basic computer operations. Microsoft Windows
navigational skills are extremely helpful when using the various CADD softwares provided at PCC.
3. What topics are covered in these classes?
Each class contains a number of unique topics and concepts. For Introductory AutoCAD, the student
will explore content related to menu structure, entity creation and modification, layering concepts,
hatching objects, orthographic layout, dimensioning and text, and plotting. For classes such as
Autodesk Inventor and Beginning SolidWorks, the student will be involved in parametric solid
modeling, object constraints, associated orthographic views, assemblies, surfacing, and bills of
materials. Consultation with the appropriate PCC staff member is advised.
4. How many hours will I be in class?
Students are typically in class for four hours per week (per class), one day a week. Classes may be held
during the afternoons or evenings. Classroom activities normally consist of lecture, "open lab time",
demonstrations, and questions & answers.
5. Are there Advanced CADD courses?
Currently, there are Advanced levels for AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Inventor.
Solid Modeling courses are offered in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Inventor.
Customization and programming classes are offered for AutoCAD 2015.
6. Will I receive a certificate for the CADD classes I take?
The CADD classes you take at Portland Community College are usually treated as part of a one-year certificate.
These classes may also be taken individually to upgrade your job skills. In certain instances, the class instructor
may be asked to write a letter of recommendation for the student.
CADD Classes at Portland Community College may be taken on a Graded basis, Pass / No Pass, or as an Audit.
Consultation with the instructor is advisable in reference to student evaluation.
7. Will I be employable upon completion of the class?
This depends greatly on the skills acquired in the educational process. Most prospective employers look for a
combination of multiple CADD classes taken, enrollment or completion of a degree program, and practical work
experience. Job seeking students may find assistance through the CADD department, or through the PCC Job
Placement office.