Hi there - I hope that I'm right in putting this querey in this section...
I'm starting to plan a new project and am struggling to visualise the chassis design. I'd like a computer program for my PC that will allow
me to draw a 3D of the chassis rails. It only needs to be a very basic program - I've never used anything like this before and there's no
way I could use a complex product like full Autocad.
The only specific needs I have is for me to be able to control the lengths of each piece of chassis rail by altering the real-world measurements - eg
if i start by drawing the chassis and estimating a particular chassis leg to be 20" long and I later find out that it would be better at
25", I'd like to be able to have the software alter the picture if I alter the perameters.
Can anyone recomend such a program - either free or to buy?
Many thanks indeed folks.
Google Sketchup?
not on PC, but how about balsa wood.
quote:
Originally posted by balidey
not on PC, but how about balsa wood.
I use kitchen wooden skewers with hot glue. Available from all supermarkets for very little. The advantage of hot glue is you can use the nozzle of the glue gun to heat up the joint and undo the joint.
McLannahan, Google Sketchup is exactly what i was looking for - perfect! I had never heard of that bpiece of kit before - thanks.
I really like the idea of making a mock-up out of wood splints and a glue gun too - many thanks for the tips folks.
quote:
Originally posted by McLannahan
Google Sketchup?
As a free tool it's excellent but obviously it's no match for a decent CAD package. I used to use ProEngineer and ProDesktop and
they're both superb but far from free. I'm not a current CAD user now really so I'm not sure what the current "must-have"
product is? Solidworks perhaps?
Gasket....you're welcome. Good luck with it!
I'm sure there is also a sketchup of a 7 chassis already already available, may save you a bit of time.
Just checked and yeh there are 3 decent ones, just google sketchup locost
Cheers
Rich
[Edited on 13/3/11 by RichardK]
Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, CATIA may be a little tech heavy for a new user but will run better
though. Perhaps NX 7.5 would be good to try, it visualises 3D models really nicely and and is fairly straighforward but is less comonly used then
Solidworks or CATIA.
Don't bother with AutoCAD, its like the retarded brother of design software.
Also if you get some proper CAD if you design something you can then do a proper drawing from it quickly and simply and have it made.
The other good point about a balsa wood model is that you can twist and bend it to check rigidity, then see if you can improve it by adding or
subtracting elements.
It may not be Formula 1, but it is a simple and very cheap way of seeing if it is designed somewhere near right.
Keep in Mind that by there own description Sketchup is..
A 3D sketching software for the conceptual phases of design.
So...use it for that and you wont be disappointed.
[Edited on 21/3/11 by Tralfaz]
I can't recall where but I'm sure I've read somewhere that Chris used Sketchup for the illustrations in the book.
I wonder if he's shared it as I'm struggling to find a complete Sketchup model in the warehouse.
Andrew
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Derek Doctors
Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, ..............
quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Derek Doctors
Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, ..............
Hmmm....I paid around 7k (dollars) for my Solidworks 2008 premium....did I miss out on some cut price bargains?