HiCAD Training

Lesson 1 • Workspace and Profile Customisation

Covers toolbar arrangement, shortcut key assignment, and saving custom profiles. Reduces repetitive setup time across future sessions.

Lesson 2 • File Management and Project Structure

Explains HiCAD file types, project folder conventions, and backup strategies. Establishes disciplined file habits critical for team-based workflows.

Lesson 3 • Navigating the Main Interface

Introduces ribbons, toolbars, scene tree, and status bar. Builds spatial awareness of the interface needed for all subsequent tasks.

Lesson 4 • Viewport Controls and 3D Navigation

Teaches mouse-based and keyboard navigation in 3D space, including orbit, pan, and zoom. Directly supports efficient model inspection throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Dimensioning and Annotation

Covers linear, angular, radial dimensions, tolerances, and text styles. Annotation transforms geometry into communicable engineering documentation.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Basic Geometric Entities

Covers line, arc, circle, rectangle, and polyline creation tools. These primitives form the building blocks of all 2D technical drawings.

Lesson 3 • Layers, Line Types, and Drawing Standards

Explains layer creation, line type assignment, and colour-by-layer conventions. Proper layer management ensures drawings comply with industry standards.

Lesson 4 • Coordinate Systems and Input Methods

Introduces absolute, relative, and polar coordinate entry for precise geometry placement. Accurate input is the foundation of all 2D and 3D work in HiCAD.

Lesson 1 • Sketch-Based Modelling Workflow

Explains sketch planes, constraint-driven profiles, and the sketch-to-feature pipeline. Constrained sketches ensure dimensional accuracy in all derived solids.

Lesson 2 • Sweep and Loft Features

Teaches path-driven sweeps and multi-profile lofts for complex geometry. Expands modelling capability beyond prismatic shapes.

Lesson 3 • Boolean Operations and Feature Editing

Covers union, subtract, and intersect operations plus feature tree editing. Boolean tools combine solids efficiently and enable design iteration.

Lesson 4 • Fillets, Chamfers, and Shell Features

Introduces edge rounding, chamfering, and thin-wall shell creation. These finishing features prepare models for manufacturing and assembly.

Lesson 1 • Top-Down and Bottom-Up Design

Explains in-context part creation versus importing pre-built components. Choosing the right approach affects design flexibility and file dependencies.

Lesson 2 • Bill of Materials and Part Numbering

Covers BOM generation, part attribute assignment, and numbering schemes. Accurate BOMs are essential for procurement and production planning.

Lesson 3 • Applying Assembly Constraints

Covers coincident, concentric, parallel, and distance constraints. Proper constraints fully define part positions and prevent assembly errors.

Lesson 4 • Assembly Environment and Structure

Introduces the assembly workspace, component insertion, and the assembly tree. Understanding structure is prerequisite to applying constraints correctly.

Lesson 1 • Structural Drawing Derivation

Explains automatic drawing generation, detail views, and part mark annotation for steel structures. Derived drawings feed directly into fabrication and erection workflows.

Lesson 2 • Structural Connections and Joints

Teaches bolted, welded, and pinned connection types using HiCAD connection wizards. Correct connections ensure structural integrity and fabrication accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Staircases, Handrails, and Platforms

Covers parametric staircase, handrail, and platform generation tools. These elements complete industrial structural models for plant and facility design.

Lesson 4 • Frame and Column Placement

Covers axis-based placement, orientation control, and length definition for beams and columns. Accurate placement is the basis for all subsequent connection work.

Lesson 1 • Sheet Metal Parameters and Material Setup

Covers thickness, bend radius, K-factor, and material table configuration. Correct parameters ensure flat patterns match physical formed parts.

Lesson 2 • Unfolding and Flat Pattern Generation

Explains the unfold operation, flat pattern view creation, and bend line annotation. Flat patterns are the direct input for CNC punching and laser cutting.

Lesson 3 • Base Flange and Wall Creation

Teaches base flange sketching, edge flange addition, and hem creation. These tools build the primary geometry of sheet metal enclosures and brackets.

Lesson 4 • Sheet Metal Drawing and Nesting Output

Covers drawing derivation for sheet metal parts including fold tables and nesting export. Complete documentation reduces material waste and production errors.

Lesson 1 • Drawing Sheet Setup and Title Blocks

Covers sheet size selection, title block templates, and attribute-driven fields. Consistent sheet setup is mandatory for professional drawing packages.

Lesson 2 • View Generation and Projection

Teaches first- and third-angle projection, auxiliary views, and section view creation. Correct view selection communicates geometry unambiguously to manufacturers.

Lesson 3 • Drawing Output and Format Export

Covers PDF, DXF, DWG, and STEP export workflows and print configuration. Proper export ensures drawings are usable by all downstream stakeholders.

Lesson 4 • Automated Dimensioning and GD&T

Covers model-based dimension retrieval, manual dimension placement, and GD&T symbol insertion. Accurate tolerancing is critical for interchangeable part manufacturing.

Lesson 1 • Custom Attribute and Property Management

Teaches custom property definition, attribute inheritance, and property-driven title block population. Structured attributes enable downstream ERP and PDM integration.

Lesson 2 • HiCAD Macro and Script Automation

Introduces macro recording, script editing, and automated task execution. Automation reduces manual steps and enforces repeatable workflows across projects.

Lesson 3 • Parametric Tables and Design Variants

Covers table-driven parameter control for generating part families from a single model. Parametric tables eliminate redundant modelling and ensure consistency across variants.

Lesson 4 • Configuration Management and Variants

Covers design configurations, suppression states, and variant management for complex products. Configuration management supports product families without duplicating files.