Jermyn
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 posted on 1/9/04 at 06:14 PM |
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Easiest CAD program to learn
It's been a long time since I've used CAD software. But, I figure since I'm about 2 years out from my first weld, why not read up on
chassis design and test some theories. In the locost spirit, I'm not looking to drop a bunch of dough. Freeware would be great! Any suggestions
are welcome. Thanks
If life is a race do you want to be the first one to finish?
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Chris Green
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| posted on 1/9/04 at 08:13 PM |
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autocad is probably the best 2D cad system to use, but I'm not sure exactly how much it cost.
I use Solidworks for 3D assembly modelling, and a small bit of Autocad for 2D.
Solidoworks is definitely not cheap though! its about £5000 for a license!
I believe that TurboCAD is freeware (if not free, its definitely cheap), and it seems a common choice.
HTH,
Chris.
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Graceland
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| posted on 1/9/04 at 09:04 PM |
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autocad is the best IMHO
did my city n guilds course using R13 (aaaages old) and now have ACad 2004 - such a fantastic piece of software.
well worth hunting for a download 
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tom_loughlin
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| posted on 1/9/04 at 09:10 PM |
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autocad for 2d, solid works/edge for 3d, and rhino for complex surface modelling i reckon
all are available as 'freeware' if you know where to look
tom
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chrisf
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 03:11 AM |
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Discounted CAD?
All the suggested CAD software is very steeply discounted if you are (or know) a university student. 5000 UKP for Solidworks is expensive, but the
student price is around 100UKP.
I've tried AutoCAD and SW. AutoCAD is impossible to learn and is a very cold environment to work in (IMHO). SW took me a while to learn, but it
works a treat now.
--Chris
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Hugh Jarce
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 04:50 AM |
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AutoCAD in conjunction with AutoSolids for 2D and 3D (makes it parametric). I also have SolidWorks, SolidEdge, Anvil and Alibre Design, but AutoCAD
wins hands down for ease of use and the ability to stay in just one program.
The pay isn't very good , but the work's hard.
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Mix
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 07:25 AM |
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I bought Turbo Cad Designer Essential for £9:99 from PC World recently. I'm not finding it difficult to learn and it's been very useful
when designing parts for the car. The label says it does 2D and 3D, (not got onto the 3D bit yet)
Mick
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Mk-Ninja
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 08:26 AM |
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Autocad is the best 2D and Inventor the best and fastest growing 3D, and there both from Autodesk so they are totaly compatible.
I'm sure I've got one, just don't know where I've put it
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Tigers
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 09:13 AM |
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I'm using AutoCAD 2004. earned it in 2 weeks from online tutorials. I find it quite simpe and easy to use also for 3D.
Creating a drawing is a bit tricky at first.
Janis
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mackie
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| posted on 2/9/04 at 09:21 AM |
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We've used solidworks for our design work. It's pretty intuitive and easy to learn but I think I've only scratched the surface. Jon
(blueshift) has played a good deal more and has modelled a nice parameterised locost chassis . It's been really useful for generating templates
for the angled ends of tubes and so on.
SW2005 does even more apparently, things like creating frames from 3D sketches is a breeze in the new version I think.
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leto
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| posted on 3/9/04 at 05:11 PM |
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Here is a place or two to start looking.
FREE STRUCTURAL SOFTWARE
Free Mechanical Engineering software
Easiest one to run? Not a clue, I usually mess around with the +2000£ stuff. Don't have to pay the license myself
Any suggestions for decent free FEA- programs appreciated
“I'm gonna ride around in style
I'm gonna drive everybody wild
'Cause I'll have the only one there is a round”. (J. Cash)
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 3/9/04 at 05:20 PM |
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i am sure there is a linux fea package with is open source, caan't remember what it is called though
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 3/9/04 at 05:20 PM |
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i reckon that the easiest drafting package is microstation. i have used both autocad and microstation and without a doubt no question it is 20 times
easier/faster than autocad,
however this is probably due to the fact that when i use microstation i have the luxury of a graphics tablet and puck
i am going to buy the student version of solidworks its only £135 and it comes with all sorts of goodies(fea, kinematics ...)can't wait
[Edited on 3/9/04 by liam.mccaffrey]
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Jermyn
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| posted on 3/9/04 at 06:08 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by leto
Here is a place or two to start looking.
FREE STRUCTURAL SOFTWARE
Free Mechanical Engineering software
Easiest one to run? Not a clue, I usually mess around with the +2000£ stuff. Don't have to pay the license myself
Any suggestions for decent free FEA- programs appreciated
If life is a race do you want to be the first one to finish?
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Jermyn
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| posted on 3/9/04 at 06:10 PM |
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Which One?
THere are a boatload of them. Anybody used any of these? I'd rather not have to learn 5 programs just to get a good one
If life is a race do you want to be the first one to finish?
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limy john
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| posted on 22/9/04 at 03:55 AM |
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auto cad
don't any of you people have any lead in your pencil.
canyou not do it with full scale sketches and plot the movement of things can you not take moments about a fixed point, don't you know what a
vector diagram is, for every action there is a reaction etc.
draw it full size and calculate the lines of force.
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 22/9/04 at 05:38 PM |
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have done it both ways, manual and with my new edition of solidworks 2005
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NS Dev
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| posted on 22/9/04 at 09:41 PM |
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I'll do it the easiers way thanks!!!! NO point making work harder than it needs to be!!!
I am sure that, though we wouldn't like to say it on here, lots of us have come across "free" copies of Solidworks and AutoCad!!!
I have used both. Solidworks is one industry "standard" and is useful with the sheetmetal package for bend radii etc.
AutoCad is what I learnt at college (version 13 again!!) but was sneered at by any industry I have dealt with since.
I then used the fairly old in 1998 "ME 10" software, which uses a tablet and pen and discovered what the draughtsman where I was working
was on about!!
ME10 was much much easier and more intuitive to use than AutoCad!!!!!!!!!
I now tend to use a combination of AutoCad and Solidworks but would use ME 10 if I could still get it free!!
As for the "do it the manual way"......why??????????????
Why take 2 hours to do a job manually that you can do in 20 mins on CAD??????????????
I am a stickler for being able to do things "from first principles" and I am terrible for "fag packet design" but equally I
will use CAD when it is needed and helpful!!
A recent use I have found is the increasing number of subcontract laser/plasma cutting companies willing to take on small orders for profiling work to
fill sheets or 10 min gaps in their schedules, and that can accept DXF files by email. Just compile all your brackets and widgets onto files for each
thickness of sheet that you need, name the files appropriately, email to them and give them a call to explain briefly. Pop in a week later and pick up
the bits and pay the bill. Saves hours of jigsawing steel sheet and is so neat!!!
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ayoungman
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| posted on 23/9/04 at 12:19 PM |
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CAD software
If you know any kids in secondary schools, they can get hold of a program called Prodesktop. Its far easier to use than AutoCad etc. The school will
be able to give them(you) a copy on CD without breaking copyright rules. Airbus industries use the software, so its very powerful ! Look it up on the
net !
"just like that !"
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Jermyn
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| posted on 23/9/04 at 10:52 PM |
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Solidworks
Got Solidworks 2004 simply for the 3-d aspect of it. I have completed some of the online traing for it and it is comming pretty easy. Thanks to all
who made suggestions.
If life is a race do you want to be the first one to finish?
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Project7
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| posted on 24/9/04 at 10:27 AM |
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Getting a copy of AutoCAD is pretty easy, as the trail CDs are identical to the full versions except they are packaged without a serial number.
[Edited on 24/9/04 by Project7]
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malcolmstoddart
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| posted on 24/9/04 at 04:29 PM |
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Some people laugh when I say I use autosketch at work... but to be able to draw your 2d image and then extrude, chop and all the other bits and
produce a good,acurate drawing that even a general manager can understand... well that speaks for itself..
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chbright
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| posted on 29/9/04 at 09:10 PM |
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i would recommend autodesk inventor if u can get a copy, much more user friendly than autocad or machanical desktop but uses the same files (so u can
import autocad).
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kreb
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| posted on 8/11/05 at 03:54 PM |
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I'd like to learn CAD. I'm a fair "pencil draftsman" with a copy of autodesk mechanical desktop, which intimidates me. I also
don't have time to attend classes, so it's going to have to be tutorials at 10 PM.
The main things that I want to be able to do are sheet metal pattern drafting (For my job) and chasis/skins for my passion. I can draw tube chasis and
sheet metal development, but once you've got compound curves, you need the power of a computer.
What's my best bet? So far solidworks sounds most promising, and my sister can get it through her university at the student rate.
https://www.supercars.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/1966_FiatAbarth_1000SP1.jpg
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Alan B
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| posted on 8/11/05 at 04:56 PM |
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My 2c (2p)
2D........ AutoCAD (LT is fine)
Solid modelling (I'm deliberately avoiding saying 3D)......... Solidworks
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