cad program

[thebighammer1]

is there any 3d cad programs out there for some one who just plays around and has a few ideas and wants to put them to paper.i would like one that does sheet metal and tube or pipe that wont kill the wallet any advice thank jay

[boatbuoy]

google sketchup is free----http://sketchup.google.com/

[rubes]

I haven't tried this (I have Inventor at work), but saw it in one of my trade rags;
http://www.cocreate.com/products/ModelingPE-Overview.aspx

[allengrading]

there is an autocad light program. you loose a few of the features you would get with the full version.

[wintermute]

I use Rhino3d for all of my work, and I find it is quite capable for all of the designs I need to produce. It's also relatively easy to use and it's interface is easy to learn and relatively intuitive.

--Wintermute

[aczeller]

there is an autocad light program. you loose a few of the features you would get with the full version.
even AutoCAD LT (lite version) is fairly expensive for a mere hobby user (about $1000 per user), not to mention that without at least somewhat of a formal or on the job training, AutoCAD in any version can be a real pain to learn and understand on your own. the other thing is that the major difference between AutoCAD LT and the full version is that LT does not have 3Dsolids capabilities... i use LT at work everyday... i ahve had to lay out a few hoppers in 3D in order to get dimensions... the only way that i have found that you can use LT for 3D objects is to have a wire-frame object... no FEA, no solids renderings, no quick shape modifications, etc... ONLY WIREFRAME... it's a royal pain.

long story short, due to the limited capabilites, cost, and complexity of the program, AutoCAD LT is not the program to use in this situation.

my suggestion would be to tell us exactly what you want to use the program for... i know there are a few programs that are out there that are cheap, if not free, that are specialized in one specific area... tube bending for example can be done using a program that has been mentioned on here before with plans for a tube bender... i can't remember the title, but it was about $100 for a descent version (3D bends, rather than all the bends being on one plane) and was very simple to use. i use AutoCAD 2008 full verison at home, but i got mine for free via a job that required me to have my own copy on my laptop since i used my personal laptop for work... they paid for it, i installed it, they never called me for any jobs... $4,000-$5,000 program for free. i know how to use it and it works great... it jsut takes time, practice, money, and a bit of imagination to see how to get the job done.

just my two cents


Later,
Andy

[Locobreath]

While I have not used it, you might want to try Qcad (I think that is the name) - I saw a demo not long ago. They have a free demo version and I think the registration is only $35 or so.

[allengrading]

Aczeller, i misread the 3D capability thanks for pointing that out. I also use cad light to read blue prints and a sitework estimating program called agtec and they are both rather expensive and not for the hobbiest.

[thebighammer1]

i have an idea ruffed out for a cart to carry my tree stand made out of tube and also some sheet metal plates to reconstruct for a restore project i am working on

[IrishBrewer]

I'll second google sketchup. Free and easy to get something up and going quickly. I highly recommend doing the tutorials to get you started.

[Burnit]

The student version of solid works is under 300 bucks, its pretty nice.

[aczeller]

The student version of solid works is under 300 bucks, its pretty nice.


... If you know how to use it properly. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro-E (Professional Engineer), MasterCAM and a few other programs like this are all VERY advanced, VERY complex programs. if you want to hack up the money for one, be my guest, but i would not reccomend that you get one without at least taking a night class at your local community college. i know i have to take one at mine and it is 9 credit hours @ about $46 each... that equals out to be $414 just to learn. if you walk into an engineer's office and ask them to teach you AutoCAD, i doubt they would do much more than laugh. it takes a while to get good at it, that's why it pays what it does. it's not the best field to try and raise a family with, but it pays the bills. if you need something drawn, let me know. if you want to be able to do it at home, however, i would not reccomend any of the high-dollar programs such as these.

also, usually when you try to get some sort of "educational version" or "student version", you have to prove that you are a student. you do for AutoCAD anyway.

Just my $.02... Dont get the "big boys" to play around with. they are for business and professional use first, THEN they like to play at home. you have no idea what you are doing until you get trained to handle them properly. nothing will explode if you try to mess with them without training (unfortunately... booms are so pretty :blob2: :laugh: ), but it will be a waste of computer space, your time, and most importantly, your money.

Later,
Andy

[russellmn]

tube bending for example can be done using a program that has been mentioned on here before with plans for a tube bender... i can't remember the title, but it was about $100 for a descent version (3D bends, rather than all the bends being on one plane) and was very simple to use.

Later,
Andy

^^^^ It's called Bend-Tech, created by 2020 Software Solutions out of Lindale, MN. GOOD program, I have Bend-Tech Pro ($279?) and love it. Does round and square tubing, 3d, assemblies(multiple tubes to create a complete project) and gives you "wraps" that you print off and wrap around the tube, trace it, and cut... nearly perfect notch! If you want it a little cheaper, Bend-Tech EZ3D is around $150 and will do multi plane bends, but only one piece at a time (no assemblies).
Go to www.2020softwaresolutions.com to check it out.

[enlpck]

(missed this post when it first came up)

Try Alibre. The free trial version is good for a year. It isn't Autocad, but it does the job quite well. It is one of the ones I use in teaching engineering. Free version is not full featured, but is still quite capable (much more so than many of hte other free/trial CAD's, but not quite the light Autocad)

[tanky321]

(missed this post when it first came up)

Try Alibre. The free trial version is good for a year. It isn't Autocad, but it does the job quite well. It is one of the ones I use in teaching engineering. Free version is not full featured, but is still quite capable (much more so than many of hte other free/trial CAD's, but not quite the light Autocad)


I was just going to say that. Alibre is just like Solidworks, but free.

As far as learning it, I think any solid modeler (Pro-E, Solidworks, Inventor) is more difficult than AutoCad. I picked up AutoCad really quick. Its not hard to draw in 2-d or 3-d. You just need to learn what commands to use.

Il upload a 3D video rendering I made of a circuit board I drew in AutoCad in a few minutes.

[tanky321]

Here it is,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3rqmarT97g

[Chucker]

Hi: I downloaded Alibre on 1/2/08 and it has a free 30 day trial period for their high end autocad professional program. This is very impressive in what it will do especially for someone like me who has not been exposed to autocad before. It does seem to need a more powerful computer than the laptop which I have here at home. I am a little banged up from a car wreck right now so I have a little time on my hands and thought that it would be interesting to work a little bit in this design program. The tutorials are a lot of help and it is just plain fun to see your ideas take shape in front of you like this. One of my machinist friends was over the other day and he says they use autocad on their big mills and lathes to set them up to do work. The learning curve on this program seems a little steep but as I stated it is interesting. The version 10 I downloaded is about 170 Meg and the help file is a little less than 40 Meg. I recommend downloading the help file as it is of great assistance. chuck