During High School I explored many CAD programs primarily on my own as an expansion to the class curriculum. I became certified in Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, as well as Autodesk Inventor. I will take you through some of the Programs and Projects that I did about 5 years ago with little or no knowledge of how to effectively work the program at the start.
Autodesk CAD Mechanical
Using existing 3D objects, I would create the 2D mechanical drawing.
Autodesk Revit
Using my own Ideas and through Projects, I would create architectural homes/buildings and produce all the required Drawings that included: Floor Plan, Elevation Plans, Topography Map, Electrical Plan, Plumbing Plans, Roof Plans, and Kitchen Elevations.
Concept Home Design
My Family Home brought to 3D
Commercial Renovation Projects
Autodesk Inventor & Solidworks
Using my own Ideas I would create 3D models of virtually anything that came to mind, including iPhone cases, model cars/planes and print them out using a 3D printer. I started using this program with zero experience and picked it up very quick.
Autodesk Inventor Project Falcon
Using Inventor there was a plug-in I found that created a virtual wind tunnel. I used this program to see how a car would perform with and without a bottom plate. From this program I was able to calculate things like the Coefficient of Drag, Drag Force, and could set the velocity speed as a variable.