# Matt Perez | Being Able to Explain What You’re Doing

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-05-13
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 19
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/Matt-perez-explain-what-youre-doing/

## Summary

Matt Perez, founder of CADucation, explains his transition from a hands-on fabrication background to becoming a leading CAD/CAM content creator for software companies like Autodesk. He emphasizes that true proficiency in tools like Fusion 360 and SolidWorks comes from understanding the 'why' behind design decisions, such as surface continuity and sketch constraints, rather than just following tutorials. Perez discusses the importance of reverse engineering physical objects, like multicolor pens, to master complex modeling techniques and the challenges of scaling his solo business into a small team.

## Chapters

- [0:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=40) Introduction: Matt Perez and CADucation
- [1:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=100) From Fabrication to Digital Design
- [10:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=617) Learning the 'Why' Behind CAD Tools
- [16:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=980) Content Strategy: Autodesk, YouTube, and Reach
- [26:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=1603) Reverse Engineering and Surface Quality
- [32:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=1971) Scaling CADucation and Hiring
- [37:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing#t=2221) Qualities of a Great CAD Instructor

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- CADucation (company)
- Autodesk (company)
- Fusion 360 (product)
- SolidWorks (product)
- Pluralsight (company)
- Onshape (product)
- Inventor (product)
- Mastercam (product)
- Blender (product)
- Driveworks (product)
- Coursera (company)
- Udemy (company)
- O'Reilly Media (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Matt Berggren](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-12-16-an-interview-with-matt-berggren) (The Amp Hour)
- [517: Imagine Making That Much Art](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-03-06-517-imagine-making-that-much-art) (Making It)
- [Episode 085: Sometimes I’m really into the laser.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-08-26-episode-085-sometimes-im-really-into-the-laser) (Making It)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)
- [Episode 035: 47,793 unread messages](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-09-04-episode-035-47-793-unread-messages) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-05-13-matt-perez-being-able-to-explain-what-youre-doing. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.