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CAD - what you using?

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raynerd:
I've been wanting to for years and although I've tried, haven't put the effort in to get to any standard but I would like to be able to draw up my plans and ideas properly in CAD.

For those that aren't using version 1.01 CoC, what are the rest of you using?

I have a legitimate copy of Inventor but it is extremely complex. Being a good industry standard is this what I should be using or too complex for what I need. Considering it is powerful software and I have it, I guess it makes crystal clear sense to use this but having never modelled anything before, is it the right starting point?  Just wanted the discussion before investing time into it.

Chris

Joules:
No quick easy route to learning CAD.   Work with the package you have and start with just simple geometry, blocks and spheres, learn boolean operations (assuming you want to learn 3D).  Watch as many tutorials on YouTube as you can find, make notes.  Learn/try one new command every day, or time you sit and play with it.  Have an object in front of you and try to model it, don't assume you can think an idea then transfer it to CAD straight away, it takes lots of patience and practice.

I use Rhino and model everything in 3D then use Rhino to generate 2D views for dimensioning convetional plans.  Learning curve for me 10yrs+

My biggest incentive to learn CAD, access to a stereolithography machine in the mid 90's.

sparky961:
Most current popular 3D parametric design packages do about the same thing. They just have different work flows and UI paradigms. Nothing wrong with Inventor, though Solidworks seems more industry standard for manufacturing and machining... unless its automotive, but you won't be buying any of those packages.

ieezitin:
Chris,

I am exactly in the same boat as you.. i just downloaded Trimble Sketchup, it used to be Google but now its owned by Trimble.. I digress...I have  been using the free download for about a week now and i have made very complex shapes with sketches and dimensions  giving me math 5 times past the decimal point, my shapes are total 3D, or ISO or Plan... your choice.

Its very intuitive and easy to learn, there are excellent (how=tos) vids on You-Tube plus the company has excellent tutorials on the website. They give you a fullblown package on the first download but after 30 days its restricted, you need to purchase the licence, but by what i read the free program will do us for what we need and certainly worth learning it even after the pro version expires.

Hope this helps...

Anthony.

chipenter:
I have Autocad tried for 5 years and keep giving up  :doh: , editing images from Solidcam is a little easyer .

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