CompuServe Messages

Ken, <<I see certification as an evaluative tool that shows that a CAD user knows the product>> BTW — I view it as a DIAGNOSTIC tool in evaluation and weeding of personnel. But it needs to be carefully integrated into the employee evaluation process. Practical application, good references and a portfolio contributes more weight in the selection process also! However, the examine does not take into consideration an individuals true KNOWLEDGE of CAD. I have been using CAD for 20 years. Used numberous CAD packages for numberous applications and in a wide variety of positions in industry. The test does not take that prior knowledge or expertise into account. It is focused specifically on only ONE program. Therefore, It would not measure my true level of knowledge or skills. To me CAD is just a tool to solve specific engineering and design problems, no matter the application. <<Certification is tied to a specific release of AutoCAD (right, Bill?), so the user getting certified (or is that certifiable? <g>) needs to be up on ALL the ins and outs of the program.>> Don't you think the test should be generic to all versions of AutoCAD. If I was working for a company that was working on R9, R10, or R11, maybe they are satisified with that version and don't want to move up to R12 or R13. Could be too expensive both hardware or software wise for them. They may know the package inside and out. Through out an R12 specific question that they have never seen that poof . . . that blows the results. What about a user of AutoCAD LT . . . no AutoLISP, not customization (or limited). Yet it still is compatable with R12. Or… how about a user of R12 Macintosh! << I personally know of several CAD jockeys that have been using AutoCAD for many years. They get their job done, because they're using the same tools they learned 5 years ago. I'd bet they know nothing of some of the basic tools that could be a big help to them, like grips and selecting entities by Fence (as an example).>> Gee . . . I beg to differ. I went to our local AutoCAD user group last week and met several individuals who were very experienced users of the product (8,000 hours), who kept up with the package (R12, R12 Windows). . . hated Grips and turned them off! They didn't know how they worked … so they claimed (provided them with a bit of education). They wouldn't fare too well on that portion of the test would they. Thanks for the reply, Steve Foster