What are the Different Types of Drafting Courses?

Drafting courses are essential for anyone interested in a drafting career or occupation as an architect or engineer. Students can take drafting courses by attending a community college or enrolling in an online class. Most drafting programs include courses such as engineering drawing fundamentals and blueprint drafting.

Trade schools and city colleges have drafting courses that are available on a per course basis or as part of a drafting degree. Some technical schools have certificate programs for people with drafting experience and previous coursework. There are also online drafting courses for people who want to take classes from the convenience of their home. This is usually geared toward students who are already in the workforce and do not want to enroll in a community college.

One of the basic drafting courses offered at any drafting school is technical drafting. This introductory class teaches the principals of drafting, including drafting terminology, size and shapes, descriptions and metric conversion. During this class, the professor also demonstrates pictorial drawing and technical sketching.

Most colleges offer computer-aided drafting (CAD) classes. In these classes, students learn to use computer-aided drawing software, mechanical drafting programs and architectural design software. Individuals study how to generate images of real objects as well as virtual objects and figure out the appropriate dimensions. People who are interested in working as architects or engineers need to be able to use CAD software.

Another one of the drafting courses that students can take is commercial architectural drafting. Students are shown how to make models of buildings and perform commercial applications. Instructors familiarize the students with building codes, layouts and building materials. By the end of the class, students should be able to design professional commercial blueprints and meet commercial specifications.

In order for students to have a well-rounded drafting program, they should also take classes that teach students how to draft floor plans and site plans. These subjects help the drafter with drawing cabinets, windows, hallways and doors. Instructors also show drafting students how to draw fixtures and commercial equipment.

Other topics found in most drafting programs are animation, virtual drafting and computer programming. Some degree programs often have classes for drafting exteriors with an emphasis on legal boundaries, scenery, and landscape. It is recommended that students who have never worked in a drafting occupation sign up for classes on bidding and negotiation, dealing with clients and drafting presentations.