Thread: CAD programs

Try downloading alibre express from this page It's a 100 or so mb download, is parametric 3d, if you follow the basic tutorials that it provides you will get the idea. You can export the views to paper and print.

Be aware that there is a learning curve, all cad has this.

Hope this helps.

Robert

Hi Aldo,

every software requires a learning curve, and I think that SketchUp has a really shallow one.

Maybe you are trying to get a complete modle done jumping the basic concepts.

If your problem is obtaining exact measures you can have them at 5 zeros after comma, so it is very, very precise. Look at the right bottom of the screen. There's a box, it is called the measurement box.

Select the line tool. Click the left button of the mouse to start your line. Release wherever you like clicking again the left button. Don't bother about the distance at the moment. Now digit on the keyboard your measure. Note that the value is written in the measurement box. Click Enter and your line will be resized at the correct measure.

This concept is valid for almost every tool you use. If you want to draw a rectangle, let's say 100mm by 100mm, draw the rectangle, then write 100,100 and click Enter.

Hope it can be a start and you can change your mind about SketchUp! :

Originally Posted by AldoDezani

Hey there!

Just putting it straight.

I HATE GOOGLE SKETCH UP!!!!!

1. it is difficult, fiddly, hard to use and hard to learn.
2. i cannot enter exact measurements.
3. there are more but anyway....

any ideas on good programs that are:
- cheapish.
- accurate.
- possibly have the four views like rhinoceros (front, top. side iso.)

???????




i have used rhinoceros before at my old school.
they also had corell draw and one other really expensive program.

... but
i dont have a good 800 bucks to throw around...


thanks fellas!!!

WRONG
All you have to do is start to draw in sketchup...dont click off ! and go to the input box, right at the bottom and place your measurements and it works in full scale...which is cool as. But it is more of a sketcking program, than a full blown CAD package.....but very good...dont be put of because it is FREE) If you are havin trouble learning Sketchup.....boy will you have problems learning a CAD program

Hi I know this a couple of months down the track on this post but have just come across it.
Try Delta Cad Delta Cad - World's easiest CAD program, CAD software Costs about $40.00
Regards

Originally Posted by pal

Hi I know this a couple of months down the track on this post but have just come across it.
Try Delta Cad Delta Cad - World's easiest CAD program, CAD software Costs about $40.00
Regards

I am sure this little program is fine But are there thousands of video tutorials, PDF documents on how to use it. Having thousands of people using the same software makes learning so much easier.
good luck
johnD

I've got Autodesk's Autosketch 10, costs about $300-$400AUD. Extremely accurate, easy to pick up, can't complain at all really apart from the fact that they don't make it for Apple?Mac. I've looked into installing windows on the Mac but not really worth it for me, so i run Autosketch 10 on windows Vista along with excel for my cutting lists, laughing mate, really quick to get a scale drawing done.

Matt.

Originally Posted by JLD

I am sure this little program is fine But are there thousands of video tutorials, PDF documents on how to use it. Having thousands of people using the same software makes learning so much easier.
good luck
johnD

Hopefully there are plenty of software out there to satisfy everyone's desires. One of the reasons I use SketchUp rather than another software is that I can continuosly improve my skills thank to the thousands of tutorials I can find on the web. Google offers a great support, but I think that the best work is done by all those guys that on the forums share their experience and techniques.

Luca

Originally Posted by JLD

I am sure this little program is fine But are there thousands of video tutorials, PDF documents on how to use it. Having thousands of people using the same software makes learning so much easier.
good luck
johnD

It is very accurate and easy to use and in no way a little program . Try it, There is a 14 day free trial on it. As for using it if I could learn to use it then any one certinally could. The Delta cad user's group is here http://dcaduser.byethost32.com/

regards pal

If you want to be more exact and/or engineering, solidworks is the best CAD package around, but the learning curve is more like a learning wall if you're not so technical. (oh and the cost is only reasonable if it's for private student use, but that's a different story.)

I'm amazed anyone could think Sketchup is difficult and fiddly, especially if they've had exposure to Rhino. I mainly use Rhino by the way - daily - and wouldn't change - but would concede that next to SketchUp it is definitely the difficult and fiddly one. I think SketchUp really is THE easy cad, limited only by its lack of advanced functions that most people wouldn't need. SketchUp is great for woodwork.

Originally Posted by JBaker

If you want to be more exact and/or engineering, solidworks is the best CAD package around, but the learning curve is more like a learning wall if you're not so technical. (oh and the cost is only reasonable if it's for private student use, but that's a different story.)

I love Solid works, but they also make DesignCAD, this is FREE, available on many platforms (OS's) I use it under Unix, my friends use it on Mac and Windows. Very easy to use if you have some basic cad experience.

Originally Posted by AldoDezani

Hey there!

Just putting it straight.

I HATE GOOGLE SKETCH UP!!!!!

1. it is difficult, fiddly, hard to use and hard to learn.
2. i cannot enter exact measurements.
3. there are more but anyway....

any ideas on good programs that are:
- cheapish.
- accurate.
- possibly have the four views like rhinoceros (front, top. side iso.)

???????




i have used rhinoceros before at my old school.
they also had corell draw and one other really expensive program.

... but
i dont have a good 800 bucks to throw around...


thanks fellas!!!

Delta CAD, free version, not hard to learn

I use AutoCad 2006 for architectural work, but simplistic drawings, Delta is ok

Here is another little online gem.
https://tinkercad.com/home/

I believe you can save a file suitable to send to a laser cutter