Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD)
The field of drafting is one, which serves a wide and varied number of vocations, professions, and industries. The Computer Aided Drafting and Design program directs its courses and training along practical lines as demanded by industry so that you are better qualified to obtain employment in CADD or related occupations.
Topics covered: 2D sketching, technical drawing principles and practices, 2D CAD, 3D solid modeling including parts, assemblies and drawings, reverse engineering via digitizing and scanning, and product development using additive manufacturing processes along with soft tooling, vacuum forming and laser cutting.
This comprehensive program offers training in general drafting practices as well as computer aided civil and mechanical drafting design. You will receive training in rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, and additive manufacturing. Throughout this program, you will prepare for SolidWorks industry certifications.
Learn About Our Programs
Computer Aided Drafting and Design Overview (0:44)
DEGREES
CERTIFICATES
- Computer Aided Drafting and Design Certificate of Achievement (CA)
- Computer Aided Drafting and Design Entrepreneurship (CA)
- 2D CAD Technician Certificate (CN)
- 3D CAD Technician Certificate (CN)
- 3D CAD Technician Certificate (CN)
Join Now
To learn more about the Computer Aided and Drafting (CADD) program and courses, contact an Applied Technology counselor.
Call 559-442-8273 or schedule a counseling appointment with our Tech & Trades Pathway counselors.
Counselors are available in the Applied Technology Division Office to assist students with creating a Student Education Plan for an CADD Degree or Certificate.
COURSES AND INFORMATION
To see recommended courses, see the Catalog. To see upcoming scheduled classes, see the Schedule of Classes.
Computer Aided Drafting and Design Club
All CADD students are invited to participate in club activities to vote on topics, and schedule outreach projects for local high school students. The club builds projects using CADD programs and coordinates projects with other clubs on campus such as CAM, Entrepreneur, Robotics and Electrical clubs.
Check out the Computer Aided Drafting and Design Club Facebook page, also for general information.
SolidWorks User Group
CADD students are encouraged to attend local SolidWorks User Group (SWUG) meetings. These meetings provide free training, raffle prizes, food and an opportunity to network with industry professionals.
FAQs
Tuition for the California Community College system is $46 per unit.
A student will have the option of choosing one out of five certificates of achievement available within the CADD program:
1. Computer Aided Drafting and Design - Major #3051 - Certificate
a. Courses include:
2. CAD Technician - Major #3053 - Certificate
a. Courses include:
3. 3D CAD Technician - Major #3054 - Certificate
a. Courses include:
4. 3D CAD/CAM - Major #3055 - Certificate
a. Courses include:
5. Computer Aided Drafting and Design Entrepreneurship - Major #3056 - Certificate
a. Courses include:
Financial Aid, if available to the student, can cover tuition. Review our Financial Aid website for further information.
There are no required textbooks for this program, however there are recommended textbooks that are a good reference as well as some free” open educational resources” required for some courses.
1. CAD Technician 1
a. CADD 14: No Textbook
b. CADD 16: 3D Solid Modeling I (Recommended): $76
SOLIDWORKS 2019 FOR DESIGNERS: ISBN 9781640570511
The 2019 version is available in the FCC bookstore. Version 2017 & 2018 will work as well, and all versions are available on Amazon.com
c. DRAFT 12: Drafting Practices (Recommended): $48.29 used, $67.44 new
Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics 14th edition (paperback): ISBN 9781292026183
2. 2D CAD Technician
a. AT-10: No textbook
b. CADD 14: No textbook
c. CADD 24: No textbook
d. DRAFT 12: Drafting Practices (Recommended): $48.29 used, $67.44 new
Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics 14th edition (paperback): ISBN 9781292026183
3. 3D CAD Technician
a. AT-10: No textbook
b. CADD 16: 3D Solid Modeling I (Recommended): $76
SOLIDWORKS 2019 FOR DESIGNERS: ISBN 9781640570511
The 2019 version is available in the FCC bookstore. Version 2017 & 2018 will work as well, and all versions are available on Amazon.com
c. CADD 26A: No textbook
d. DRAFT 12: Drafting Practices (Recommended): $48.29 used, $67.44 new
Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics 14th edition (paperback): ISBN 9781292026183
4. 3D CAD/CAM
a. CADD 16: 3D Solid Modeling I (Recommended): $76
SOLIDWORKS 2019 FOR DESIGNERS: ISBN 9781640570511
The 2019 version is available in the FCC bookstore. Version 2017 & 2018 will work as well, and all versions are available on Amazon.com
b. CADD 26A:
c. CAM 5: No textbook
d. CAM 10: No textbook
e. DRAFT 12: Drafting Practices (Recommended): $48.29 used, $67.44 new
Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics 14th edition (paperback): ISBN 9781292026183
Estimated cost for textbooks is $143.44. Textbooks may be purchased at the Fresno City Bookstore or Amazon.com. Instructors will also provide free resources for students to use that may be equivalent to the recommended textbooks.
A. Required Fees:
- Health fee ($21 per semester, $13 if off campus/online per semester)
- Associated Student Body fee ($2 per semester, but opportunity to waive the fee at time of registration if the student so chooses)
- Material fees: $129 for the certificate, effective Fall 2022
Optional fees:
- Parking pass ($30 per semester)
- Fall 2022 semester: Parking is waived
- Spring 2023 semester: Parking is waived
- Student ID Card ($5)
B. Some courses require additional materials fee for the following courses:
- CAM-10 CNC Mill Programming & Operations: T&I Computer Aided Manufacturer, $45 materials fee
*Costs for required materials/equipment - must be purchased by the end of the first week.
Some courses require additional materials that will be required or recommended to ensure that you are successful in the program:
2D or 3D CAD Technician
- 2" Binder: $6.29 (FCC bookstore)
- File storage, two (2) memory sticks or flash drives: $19.95 (FCC bookstore)
3D CAD/CAM additional requirements
- Safety Glasses (Z87 approved): $12.99 (Amazon.com)
- Steel covered toe shoes/boots: $105.99 (Tractor Supply Co)
- 6-piece, Machinist caliper and micrometer tool kit: $120.00
- 2" Binder: $6.29 (FCC bookstore)
- File storage: Two (2) memory sticks or flash drives $19.95 (FCC Bookstore)
DRAFT 12 required materials
- Mechanical Pencil .5 mm: $3.79 (FCC Bookstore)
- Combination scale or equivalent - be able to read and apply metric (mm), inch-decimal (base 10) & inch-fraction (base 16)
- Eraser, white vinyl: $3.99 (FCC bookstore)
- Compass (Doesn't have to be expensive): $3.99 (FCC bookstore)
Recommended:
- 3" triangles
- Binder
- Circle Template (small)
Estimated materials cost: $283.28
C. Vendor Recommendations:
The Computer Aided Drafting and Design certificate recommends that materials can be purchased at any general location.
- Work World
- Fresno Ag
- Tractor Supply Co
D. Technology Requirements:
- A laptop or Desktop (8 GB and 500 GB storage) with Microsoft Windows 10 Operating Systems:
- Windows 10
- Mac: MacOS 10.12 and above, must be able to run Windows 10 or above
- iOS: 11.0 and above (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration
- Memory:
- Windows: 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive
- Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive
- Additional Equipment:
- High Speed Internet
- Mouse with mouse wheel
- Use a free version of Solidworks to run on personal laptop OR use your computer, tablet etc., to access the software remotely using Apport, you no longer need an expensive computer to run SolidWorks software. FCC has provided the ability to use any device to access a more powerful computer remotely to run Solidworks.
- A cloud-based file storage platform, such as iCloud, Google Drive, DropBox, or similar
Fresno City Library offers the opportunity for students to use the computer lab or to check out a laptop if available. For additional information and hours of operations.
A student can pay in one or a combination of ways:
- Pay in person: Fee Payments or Tuition, Business office Holds, Refunds/Fee Reversals, Financial Aid Payments/Repayments, Billing, Parking Permits
- Business Office: Location OAB 151A (Old Administration Building)
- Pay online (directly using a credit card): You may pay online in Self-Service or follow the steps about making a payment.
- through a grant (review our Financial Aid website for grant information)
- or with a scholarship or fee waiver through partner programs such as California's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) which provides employment training resources for adults and dislocated workers. For more information about how to qualify for ETPL.
The Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificates have the potential for entry-level and mid-level job placement as an Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Civil Drafter, Technologist, or Technician. A potential resource for investigating jobs in the Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) field is: O*Net Online or Career Coach.
Yes! The Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate is stackable — the units count — toward an associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design or can be used as undergraduate coursework toward the transferring to a 4-year institution of higher education.
Every 4-year college accepts coursework differently, however, Fresno City College has a partnership with Fresno State’s Industrial Technology program, where they accept all of this coursework as electives for undergraduate work.
The Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate is a “stackable” certificate meaning that your successful completion of this certificate can be used to apply for additional manufacturing-related certificates and/or the Computer Aided Drafting & Design associate degree.
The Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate is a “stackable” certificate meaning that your successful completion of this certificate can be used as valuable training in conjunction with other manufacturing-related certificates such as Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Electrical, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, or Welding programs. If cross-training is not of interest, these courses in the Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate are applicable to both the Computer Aided Drafting & Design and the Industrial Technology associate degree as well as transfer potential for the Industrial Technology bachelor’s degree at Fresno State. When the student applies for a bachelor’s degree program, the 4-year institution of higher education would make the decision as to which courses are fully transferable. Consult with a college counselor in order to discuss these opportunities.
This Computer Aided Drafting & Design program uses the same registration system as all California Community Colleges. A student must apply through CCCApply, if not already a California Community College student, in order to receive a student identification number. Once you have a student identification number, we can arrange for a counselor appointment to discuss the program and/or assist with registration through Self Service.
For more assistance with applying to Fresno City College, please access one or more of the resources below:
Initial Steps
Information to FCC Apply Now (Admissions & Aid)
If you are a first-time student, transfer student, high school student, graduating senior, or returning student, and would like to apply to become a Fresno City College student, start the enrollment process with the application, portal and email, orientation, advising, financial aid, and registration. Or feel free to join a Live Help via Zoom Session and find out more.
Extreme Registration (In person):
January 3rd, 2023: 1pm-6pm at Fresno City College Library
January 4th, 2023: 1pm-6pm at Fresno City College Library
If you are interested in dropping in for some academic counseling support, have registration questions, need financial aid assistance, or have questions about fees and payment, please join in one of the Extreme Registration activities listed above, or call 559-442-8226 during event hours to get placed in the queue or they can sign up through the virtual Kiosk. The Kiosk is closed until the day and time of the event.
RAM Ready
January 3rd, 2023: Virtual
January 4th, 2023: Virtual
RAM Ready is our New Student Welcome event designed to help students navigate their first week and semester of college. The virtual experience will consist of presentations, campus tours, information about on campus resources available for students.
If you have any questions about Ram Ready, please contact the College Relations Office by phone at 559.442.8225 or email at collegerelations@fresnocitycollege.edu and use the subject line “Ram Ready Question”. You can also visit the website to get further information.
New Student Registration Resources
Link for New Student Registration Resources
FCC offers live assistance on Zoom to assist students in filling out the online application, logging into the Student Portal, accessing Canvas and Self-Service, and more. Use the link below to view available support times and register to attend a live workshop.
To make an appointment via zoom.
Student Services
For additional support and guidance about starting at Fresno City college you may visit or contact the Student Services office. The office supports campus wide efforts to improve service delivery, communication, collaboration and the social/personal development of students within the division and the campus as a whole.
Please visit the website to discover the additional student services that are available to support you as a student.
Each Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate is designed to deliver 4-5 courses for a total of 12-15.5 units, over a period of nine to eighteen weeks for each course. Typical this can occur over a two-semester period.
The Computer Aided Drafting & Design will help to prepare you to take the SolidWorks CSWA Exam and the AutoCAD Associates Certification.
The Computer Aided Drafting & Design certificate instructor(s) can assist with job placement opportunities. In the second semester you could choose to take a course, AT-19, for a paid or unpaid work experience to build your resume and begin working in your field of study.
