joefitz
11-06-2010, 11:39 PM
Let me preface this offer with something that gets me a little upset.
[Start RANT
In some threads, some people, whose names shall not be mentioned, have stated that they download and use pirated software. Sure we've all done it, stolen something. But it is someones life that goes into writing, compiling and selling all that computer code. They have kids to support, a sick mother in the hospital or struggle to put food on the table like you and I.
I know that the average user of most software cant afford the $3,800 street price of Autocad 2011. Heck, that price hurts some/most businesses too. But try to imagine the development costs. If you can get a better program out there for cheaper or next to nothing thats fine, it's an open market. Go with what you need. But if you're ripping off the companies that are helping you get your products built efficiently and easier, you're hurting yourself in the long run.
If my company hired you as a welder to come weld some steam lines on our boiler that runs at critical temperature and pressure 24 hours a day, you'd be damn sure to do it right. There's a good chance you're going to be making some decent money. A few days before you do the weld we told you we weren't going to hire you or pay you anymore because we got someone to basically steal all your equipment out of your truck and come weld it for us. You have prepared yourself with the best equipment money can buy and you've trained yourself for years. But we got it for free because you weren't able to cover your back completely. How would you feel if that happened?
/END RANT]
That said, if you want to go the free route. Sit down and learn how to run Linux. The operating system is free and 99% of the software you'll use is free. It's not hard to get used to. There's VariCad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VariCAD) and a ton of other suites out there aimed to please. Private message me if this is the route you want to take and I can help you getting set up.
If YOU CHOOSE to go the PC route there are some options that are free, which I'm not going to get into detail about. Everyone here knows how to use Google.
The best stuff around in my opinion is Autodesk. It's their software that you're trained on in most colleges around the world. They've got an amazing customer support (at least when I've had to deal with them) and they stand behind their product.
That said. I have most of the entire Autodesk suite through my current job. I'm trusted with this software because they know I'm not giving it out to anyone. But I am willing to help anyone; young, old or indifferent who needs to do some work. Be it with 3D inventor, CAD or wants to design a sick dream home. I also have the software for strengths analysis, thermodynamic analysis and fluids (Although before using it I'd make you read a textbook so you understand what's really going on).
I know Autodesk gives away genuine (Not trial or educational) versions of all of their software to students who have a college email. Your professors may not tell you this, either because of kickbacks from resale of software or just not knowing. If you're a student in college PM me and I can get you the information.
Furthermore if you're in New England or near Boston I live right up the road. I love sinking my teeth into a project. I have access to a large format printer but you might have to pay for supplies or a flat rate per board.
Furthermore if you're in Southern Florida, California, Las Vegas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Seattle, Phoenix AZ, Austin or Huston TX, Denver CO. or Chicago I can come to you for a weekend of fun design work. I travel a lot and fly for free. So I'll bring the nicest computer around and drink all your beer. I'm young and have already made my money and can spend my time helping others. There's not too much that I consider overly complicated. Send me a message with what you're looking to do and I'll see what happens.
Sorry if this is too big of a post. I might have had too much coffee tonight.
:sleeping::sleeping:
-Joe
[Start RANT
In some threads, some people, whose names shall not be mentioned, have stated that they download and use pirated software. Sure we've all done it, stolen something. But it is someones life that goes into writing, compiling and selling all that computer code. They have kids to support, a sick mother in the hospital or struggle to put food on the table like you and I.
I know that the average user of most software cant afford the $3,800 street price of Autocad 2011. Heck, that price hurts some/most businesses too. But try to imagine the development costs. If you can get a better program out there for cheaper or next to nothing thats fine, it's an open market. Go with what you need. But if you're ripping off the companies that are helping you get your products built efficiently and easier, you're hurting yourself in the long run.
If my company hired you as a welder to come weld some steam lines on our boiler that runs at critical temperature and pressure 24 hours a day, you'd be damn sure to do it right. There's a good chance you're going to be making some decent money. A few days before you do the weld we told you we weren't going to hire you or pay you anymore because we got someone to basically steal all your equipment out of your truck and come weld it for us. You have prepared yourself with the best equipment money can buy and you've trained yourself for years. But we got it for free because you weren't able to cover your back completely. How would you feel if that happened?
/END RANT]
That said, if you want to go the free route. Sit down and learn how to run Linux. The operating system is free and 99% of the software you'll use is free. It's not hard to get used to. There's VariCad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VariCAD) and a ton of other suites out there aimed to please. Private message me if this is the route you want to take and I can help you getting set up.
If YOU CHOOSE to go the PC route there are some options that are free, which I'm not going to get into detail about. Everyone here knows how to use Google.
The best stuff around in my opinion is Autodesk. It's their software that you're trained on in most colleges around the world. They've got an amazing customer support (at least when I've had to deal with them) and they stand behind their product.
That said. I have most of the entire Autodesk suite through my current job. I'm trusted with this software because they know I'm not giving it out to anyone. But I am willing to help anyone; young, old or indifferent who needs to do some work. Be it with 3D inventor, CAD or wants to design a sick dream home. I also have the software for strengths analysis, thermodynamic analysis and fluids (Although before using it I'd make you read a textbook so you understand what's really going on).
I know Autodesk gives away genuine (Not trial or educational) versions of all of their software to students who have a college email. Your professors may not tell you this, either because of kickbacks from resale of software or just not knowing. If you're a student in college PM me and I can get you the information.
Furthermore if you're in New England or near Boston I live right up the road. I love sinking my teeth into a project. I have access to a large format printer but you might have to pay for supplies or a flat rate per board.
Furthermore if you're in Southern Florida, California, Las Vegas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Seattle, Phoenix AZ, Austin or Huston TX, Denver CO. or Chicago I can come to you for a weekend of fun design work. I travel a lot and fly for free. So I'll bring the nicest computer around and drink all your beer. I'm young and have already made my money and can spend my time helping others. There's not too much that I consider overly complicated. Send me a message with what you're looking to do and I'll see what happens.
Sorry if this is too big of a post. I might have had too much coffee tonight.
:sleeping::sleeping:
-Joe