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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Darwin HowardSprings
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    Default What CAD do you use

    I thought i would ask what CAD are people using
    and more important , what do you think of your CAD

    i use TurboCADpro16platnum , a few years back i got it for AU$300 so i would say the lower side of the cost range

    i guess we will have to draw some thing with screen shots too compare
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

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  3. #2
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    Jul 2006
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    Port Huon
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    Default

    I bought a copy of Alibre a few years back when they had a special. Not too bad although I haven't used it a lot.
    I'm currently trying out Draftsight as it's a freebie and runs on Linux.
    Most use these days is for designing stuff for creation on a 3D printer.

    Although not really CAD, Sketchup gets a bit of use for woodworking projects.

  4. #3
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    Darwin HowardSprings
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    Default

    what sort of tools do they have ?

    ?/ a simple " Loft "
    i drew a square and circle the same size , and raised the circle 40mm
    b1.JPG

    then click the loft tool , select both "objects " and click finish
    b2.JPG

    and it joins them in the shortest way and makes a solid
    b3.JPG

    and the 3D render , you can also add twist , to it , but thats the basic tool

    if the circle was smaller or bigger than the square it wouldnt have those triangles on the sides
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

  5. #4
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    Default

    the revolve tool is pritty cool

    draw an odd 2D shape by adding a heap of 2D objects together , and a center line ,
    c1.JPG

    click on the revolve tool , select the 2d object , then define the center of rotation with 2 clicks , (bottom of the page gives you instructions on how to use these tools
    c2.jpg

    and it spins that shape around the center line

    c3.JPG

    and the rendered object
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

  6. #5
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    Darwin HowardSprings
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    Default

    the "sweep " tools are good

    draw a 2D shape , and a " path "
    d1.JPG

    select the " sweep " tool , select the shape , then the path , click finish and
    d2.JPG
    appears , , what it looks like in render
    d3.JPG
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Darwin HowardSprings
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    Default

    with the surface meshes
    you drag and drop a mesh down
    tell it how many X and Y grids you want , and there sizes
    and it draws a "mesh "
    e1.JPG

    using the " edit tool " ( the arrow in the tool box has changed ) you can lock any axis , and drag and drop / type in any height you want
    e2.JPG

    with a bit of planing the mesh can draw stuff that is impossible to draw , like a violin body mold

    violin4.jpg

    a lot of work drawing that ,
    violin HDPE mould.jpg
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Darwin HowardSprings
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    Default

    the Cog add on , works well
    just fill in the tooth number , pitch , and few others that change the shapes of the teeth , and you get a cog out line
    f1.JPG
    a simple extrude makes it 3D
    f2.jpg

    and with a bit of planing
    clock4.jpg
    is possible
    how come a 10mm peg dont fit in a 10mm hole

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Detroit, Michigan
    Age
    60
    Posts
    72

    Default

    AutoCAD for most stuff (free from work) Been using it for about 15 years, and find it to be the most powerful and customizable 2D CAD package out there. It's also very capable at most 3D work. Extremely stable as well.

    Lightwave. Excellent 3D polygon modeler. Because it's an animation and modeling package, you can do some incredible things with it. It's not cheap, though, and I currently can't afford to upgrade my older copy.

    Aspire. Some things are very easy to do in Aspire. Not really used for CAD, but to get end results at the machine used in combination with the above programs.

    Here's the new router I'm slowly working on in AutoCAD.


    Spindles.jpg
    Gerry

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