The trend in most engineering schools seems to be to move toward 3D parametric solid modeling, but it is a slow shift. Like the transition from drafting board to 2D, there were a few years where the CAD was too new and employers wanted graduates to know manual drafting. That's what we're into now with AutoCAD and 3D solid modeling. The undergraduate engineering program consists of a common first year of courses followed by three years of study in Chemical and Biochemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer, or Mechanical and Materials Engineering. Some 60 fourth year students will graduate this year from the Mechanical and Materials Engineering program.
Graduates typically have multiple job offers.
However, this year, the first year students' engineering graphics project has been to work in teams to design a Lego toy, model the parts in Solid Edge, create assembly models and then generate detailed drawings, assembly drawings and some realistic renderings. They also have to do some hand sketching. His confidence proved to be well founded. He found that students were soon doing part modeling, assembly modeling, generating detailed drawings, working drawings and renderings in Solid Edge. Instead of being taught the specifics of Solid Edge, students learn the principles and concepts of engineering graphics.