AutoCAD Plant 3D is a software developed by Autodesk based on AutoCAD and it’s widely used by process designers in many industries like; oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, power generation and many others to create plant designs then generate isometrics, orthographic, detect collision using Navisworks, generating bill of materials and other project documentation.

Learning AutoCAD Plant 3D is essential for process designers (chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and civil engineers) currently working or willing to start their career in the field of process design.

The aim of this post is to present and compare between free online sources that beginners can rely on to learn AutoCAD Plant 3D, the sources stated here are full-structured courses that beginners can follow along.

If you just want the bottom line (the road map to learn AutoCAD Plant 3D) and you don’t wish to read the entire article then go to the “Bottom Line” section at the end of the article.

Getting Started with AutoCAD Plant 3D Online from Scratch

Autodesk Website

Autodesk Website is the first free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through a mix of video and text tutorials. You don’t have to register to have access to the training.

Structure: The getting started section is divided into 83 lessons, each video lesson covers certain tools and techniques in AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Interface: The interface is very simple, just click on the lesson you’re interested in and you’ll be directed to the page where the lesson resides.

Now the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well-organized or structured for beginners.
2. The training covers an old release of the software, though that won’t be a problem for beginners.

Verdict: This is a good free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through video tutorials.

Autodesk YouTube Channel

Autodesk YouTube Channel is the second free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through video tutorials.

Structure: The training is divided into 25 video lessons, each video lesson covers certain tools and techniques in AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Interface: Standard YouTube interface.

Now the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training is well structured and organized for beginners.
3. The training covers the basics beginners should be familiarized with in order to start using AutoCAD Plant 3D.

Cons

1. The training covers an old release of the software, though that won’t be a problem for beginners.

Verdict: This is the best free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD through video tutorials.

CADGroup Australia YouTube Channel

CADGroup Australia YouTube Channel is the third free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through video tutorials.

Structure: The training is divided into 18 video lessons, each video lesson covers a certain topic / tool in the software. Most of the topics covered in this outlet are intermediate and advanced.

Interface: Standard YouTube interface.

Now the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The training covers some intermediate and advanced topics.

Cons

1. The training isn’t well-organized or structured for beginners.

Verdict: This is a good free online outlet where beginners can start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through video tutorials.

Bottom Line

The recipe for learning AutoCAD Plant 3D:

1. Autodesk YouTube Channel is the best outlet for beginners to start learning AutoCAD Plant 3D through video tutorials.

Remember that the first step is always the toughest step, and the aim of this post is to provide you with resources that will help you take your first step in learning AutoCAD Plant 3D.