So I need to brush up on my basic trignometry (and maybe some geometry)...

....it's been YEARS (years!) since I've cracked a book on anything even remotely related to geometry or trig, and I'll be the first to admit, I remember NON of it... Not one iota. But I'm going to start taking some Autocad classes for work (allows me to cross train on other functions in my department, more job security, more money, etc....). I asked our Engineer if there's anything I should read or brush up on in the meantime, and he said, "You've taken trig and geometry, right?" I said, "yeah, like trig 101, one semester, many many years ago...." He shrugged and didn't seem concerned, but ... well... I am!! So does anyone have any recommendation as to a good book (is there a "trig for dummies" :lol: ) or books to get me reacqainted?

....it's been YEARS (years!) since I've cracked a book on anything even remotely related to geometry or trig, and I'll be the first to admit, I remember NON of it... Not one iota. But I'm going to start taking some Autocad classes for work (allows me to cross train on other functions in my department, more job security, more money, etc....). I asked our Engineer if there's anything I should read or brush up on in the meantime, and he said, "You've taken trig and geometry, right?" I said, "yeah, like trig 101, one semester, many many years ago...." He shrugged and didn't seem concerned, but ... well... I am!! So does anyone have any recommendation as to a good book (is there a "trig for dummies" :lol: ) or books to get me reacqainted? Library..... Its a wonderful thing. :dthumb: If you want to buy a trig book, go to your local university book store.

there's a trig for dummies book on amazon.com, about $14

Library..... Its a wonderful thing. :dthumb: If you want to buy a trig book, go to your local university book store. :lol: Library? Is that one of those buildings with all the books? I don't think I've been in one of those since the advent of the internet! :lol: (j/k... I actually am a proud library card holder ;) ) I was thinking I might just hit the college book store. Just didn't know if anyone had any other brilliant ideas. *sigh* Studying. :lol:

there's a trig for dummies book on amazon.com, about $14 :baha: There really is one? NICE!! I was kinda kidding, but then again they have a "Dummies" book for everything...

If you dont' remember any of it, a college bookstore might be a little hard to digest. Check the local yellow pages under "teacher aids" or Home schooling supplies. Find the high school geometry and trig books. YOu should be able to get the teacher's key and the work book.

I've screwed around with a couple CAD programs and you probably won't really need too much trig... Especially if you are just teaching others to use it... :2cents:

I do Cad work for surveying. Everything i learned has been in the office :and im darn good at it to ...

I've screwed around with a couple CAD programs and you probably won't really need too much trig... Especially if you are just teaching others to use it... :2cents: No, I won't be teaching other people how to use it. I'll be learning it for doing mechanical 2-D drawings.

No, I won't be teaching other people how to use it. I'll be learning it for doing mechanical 2-D drawings. Oh, I assumed 'cross train on other functions' or whatever meant you'd be training others... Either way 2D stuff is REAL easy to do...

Oh, I assumed 'cross train on other functions' or whatever meant you'd be training others... Either way 2D stuff is REAL easy to do... No, no, I'll be the one BEING trained. :lol: So do I NEED to brush up on the trig, or not?

For mechanical cad work yes i would recommened it. there is a ton of trig geometry and even calculus in surveying but glad im just a draftsman so i dont have to rack my brain but i gonna start learning it eventually :P

For mechanical cad work yes i would recommened it. there is a ton of trig geometry and even calculus in surveying but glad im just a draftsman so i dont have to rack my brain but i gonna start learning it eventually :P :dthumb: Thanks! I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend! :lol:

College bookstores are evil and the books cost too damn much. Check out http://alibris.com They sell used books. I found trig for dummies there for 8.88 Trigonometry for Dummies (http://www.alibris.com/search/detail.cfm?chunk=25&mtype=&wtit=trigonometry%20for%20dummies&qwork=8343396&S=R&bid=9102474928&pbest=8%2E50&pqtynew=20&pbestnew=8%2E88&page=1&matches=32&qsort=r)

So do I NEED to brush up on the trig, or not? It has been a few years since I took my CAD classes, but all the "math" I needed came right back. I think you will be fine.

No, no, I'll be the one BEING trained. :lol: So do I NEED to brush up on the trig, or not? For mechanical cad work yes i would recommened it. there is a ton of trig geometry and even calculus in surveying but glad im just a draftsman so i dont have to rack my brain but i gonna start learning it eventually :P Ok... I guess it depends... Are you replicating known parts or creating new ones?

Ok... I guess it depends... Are you replicating known parts or creating new ones? Both. Some of it will be working on existing bills of material, some will be creating new ones, and another element will be working on take-offs (creating roof plans from blueprints, developing materials lists, etc...)

No, no, I'll be the one BEING trained. :lol: So do I NEED to brush up on the trig, or not? Nah, just show up. If you remember simple geometry you will be fine.

Nah, just show up. If you remember simple geometry you will be fine. Think so? I mean I've got TIME... I don't even know if they've found a class for me to get into yet, so it might be fall semester before I start it.. so if I SHOULD study anything in the interim, I have time.

For run of the mill 2D cad work, I would brush up on my right triangle trig. The following page is a decent resource (there are dozens on line). http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/trigonometryRealms/introduction/rightTriangle/trigRightTriangle.html Unless you are going to be deep in design work, I wouldn't waste my money or time on books. I am currently doing 2D layouts, and 3D machine design, and good ole right angle trig gets me through just fine. Good luck!

For run of the mill 2D cad work, I would brush up on my right triangle trig. The following page is a decent resource (there are dozens on line). http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/trigonometryRealms/introduction/rightTriangle/trigRightTriangle.html Unless you are going to be deep in design work, I wouldn't waste my money or time on books. I am currently doing 2D layouts, and 3D machine design, and good ole right angle trig gets me through just fine. Good luck! AWESOME!! I'll check that out... thank you!!!!!!!! :hug:

From my days in school, I worked with both PRO-E and AutoCAD (I was going into engineering) and I learned more from just playing with the program and seeing what it could/couldn't do than anything. I took CAD before I took trig, and PRO-E at the same time as trig, I didn't think they had much in common, but that's me. :2cents:

From my days in school, I worked with both PRO-E and AutoCAD (I was going into engineering) and I learned more from just playing with the program and seeing what it could/couldn't do than anything. I took CAD before I took trig, and PRO-E at the same time as trig, I didn't think they had much in common, but that's me. :2cents: they've already installed it on my computer here at work, so I might just start messin with it to see what I can break... :lol:

Ahhh, another drafter..... seen the movie "Falling Down"? Watch that first :lol: . After that it depends on your company. I have worked for some places where all you need to do is shut your brain off, and click buttons. The place I am at now, pretty much has me do engineering work without the pay of an engineer. So depending on what kind of work they give you will determine whether or not you need to know any math. Side note: even though Autocad has an autosave function, forget it exists and constantly save. Computers crash, and that will cause you to get violent. :lol:

they've already installed it on my computer here at work, so I might just start messin with it to see what I can break... :lol: My fiance hates math and she likes autocad, you don't have to be an engineer or math major to use this program at all. Just have a simple knowledge of geometry.

Ahhh, another drafter..... seen the movie "Falling Down"? Watch that first :lol: . After that it depends on your company. I have worked for some places where all you need to do is shut your brain off, and click buttons. The place I am at now, pretty much has me do engineering work without the pay of an engineer. So depending on what kind of work they give you will determine whether or not you need to know any math. Side note: even though Autocad has an autosave function, forget it exists and constantly save. Computers crash, and that will cause you to get violent. :lol: :lol: I'm wanting to milk this Autocad training and whatever cross training they'll give me here what everything it's worth... I wanna learn whatever I can, so if it'll be advantageous long-term for me to have a better understanding of the mathematical side of things, then I'm all for it. Ah, and thanks for the reminder about autosave/crashing... :lol:

Ahhh, another drafter..... seen the movie "Falling Down"? Watch that first :lol: . After that it depends on your company. I have worked for some places where all you need to do is shut your brain off, and click buttons. The place I am at now, pretty much has me do engineering work without the pay of an engineer. So depending on what kind of work they give you will determine whether or not you need to know any math. Side note: even though Autocad has an autosave function, forget it exists and constantly save. Computers crash, and that will cause you to get violent. :lol: Autodesk products blow goats. We are making the switch to SolidWorks early next year. Its much more stable and user friendly.

AutoDesk rocks...you don't need to take any math classes. Thats what is nice about AutoCAD...It does everything for you. I've been using it for 10 years now and once you learn the ropes you will think its very easy to use. Good luck :dthumb: