16 replies to this topic

[Sponge Nerfer]

I have seen that there are severaly people that post on this site that use CAD (cumputer aided design) to their advantage while working on their various projects. Which kinds of software do you guys use? Is it ridiculously expensive? Will I be able to figure out how to use the program? Please answer a few of these questions.

[Prometheus]

I have seen that there are severaly people that post on this site that use CAD (cumputer aided design) to their advantage while working on their various projects. Which kinds of software do you guys use? Is it ridiculously expensive? Will I be able to figure out how to use the program? Please answer a few of these questions.

Alibre Express or Google Sketch-up. Both free. How hard they are to use depends on your cognitive abilities, and natural intuition with computer programs.

[Carrtoon]

I use solidworks, but unless you have a few grand, you probably will have to try something else. It comes with great tutorials to help you get the basics as well as advanced techniques. I was able to use this through my university, which you may think it's free, but my bill for the year was $16,000. I'd definitely recommend solidworks, but you may have to wait for college.

[nerfer34]

I take CAD as a major in school and that's are goof around class. We just play Halo on the Computer and stuff, but once in a while I'll do some work.

But I know CAD costs a couple thousand and I'm wondering why.

Couldn't you just take like a mega USB drive and save CAD to it and then upload it to your own computer. I'm probably wrong, but I;d like to see why.

[Brass]

I take CAD as a major in school and that's are goof around class. We just play Halo on the Computer and stuff, but once in a while I'll do some work.

But I know CAD costs a couple thousand and I'm wondering why.

Couldn't you just take like a mega USB drive and save CAD to it and then upload it to your own computer. I'm probably wrong, but I;d like to see why.

There is a company that makes insanely large USB's, about 64 gigs or something stupid large. That pirating idea just might work though...
On second thought, those USB's probably cost a fortune, I got a 128 meg USB for $10 on sale.

[CaptainSlug]

Couldn't you just take like a mega USB drive and save CAD to it and then upload it to your own computer. I'm probably wrong, but I;d like to see why.

Because that would be called pirating. If you're a student you can get it pretty cheap anyways.

Solidworks costs a fortune because not only does it interface with a HUGE variety of CAD/CAM equipment but it also has design analysis and test simulation features built into it that you would have otherwise have had to add to other titles.
I will start learning how to use it eventually. If you want free CAD Alibre Xpress is the best one I've found and I use it frequently.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 11 June 2007 - 08:32 PM.

[Rambo]

Yeah, why buy a flash drive with that large a capacity? Just get a hard drive. I just bought a 250GB for 60 bucks. You can get a SATA to USB converter cable and store your shit there. But do what you may.

[bpso86]

I use AutoCad for basic drafting, and SolidEdge for 3d modeling. SolidEdge is similar to Solidworks, and that's the one I got through school.

[LastManAlive]

You can get numerous programs at the autodesk student section. One of the programs they offer that I use is Inventro Pro. Very useful for this kind of work. I use others as well. Revit, Maya, and of course AutoCADD 2007.

Edit: Nerfer34, AutoCADD 2007 only (yeah, I know, only) costs about 600~700 bucks. I know it's still a lot, but not thousands. In fact, I got my version through the school for the discounted price of 450 some odd dollars. I thought it out and bought it AFTER 2008 came out. Instant 200 dollar price drop in some major stores.

I tried 2008 out during my SkillsUSA VICA this year on my judges laptop. Not too easy, but very cool. Don't have to use your hands at all, but it sure makes it interesting. And I noticed I actually knew the name of some of the commands I use instead of just the 3 or 4 letter shortcuts or the icons.

Edited by LastManAlive, 11 June 2007 - 10:40 PM.

[Carrtoon]

Couldn't you just take like a mega USB drive and save CAD to it and then upload it to your own computer. I'm probably wrong, but I;d like to see why.

Because that would be called pirating. If you're a student you can get it pretty cheap anyways.

Solidworks costs a fortune because not only does it interface with a HUGE variety of CAD/CAM equipment but it also has design analysis and test simulation features built into it that you would have otherwise have had to add to other titles.
I will start learning how to use it eventually. If you want free CAD Alibre Xpress is the best one I've found and I use it frequently.

Yeah, actually the student version of Solidworks is $80 for a 2 year license. It's the full version companies pay big bucks for, so it's a great deal. I haven't learned how to work cosmoworks yet, but I imagine you could make some pretty cool stuff. Solidworks is pretty easy to learn, and you'll definitely love the virtual rendering!

Also, my dad has his own small business and he talked to a Solidworks associate. He doesn't have the money to buy the actual version of Solidworks. She explained that you can get a free version of Solidworks Personal Edition for 90 days. She also told him that you can renew this every 90 days by changing your email address. That's right. She basically told my dad how to cheat the system. The only drawback is that you can't transfer files to other computers. For my dad, that's a downer, but for most of you guys, who cares?

Edited by Carrtoon, 11 June 2007 - 10:57 PM.

[SHADOW HUNTER ALPHA]

She also told him that you can renew this every 90 days by changing your email address. That's right. She basically told my dad how to cheat the system. The only drawback is that you can't transfer files to other computers. For my dad, that's a downer, but for most of you guys, who cares?

Not me. However, I prefer to think of it as utilizing lateral thinking to overcome a small but passive obstacle for greater personal gain.

You can literally type in "Free CAD software" on Google and you'll get lists of stuff. Some of it is shit, others are viruses, but stuff like Sketch-up and Alibre are great once you get used to them.

[Rambo]

I'd like to recommend SourceForge for finding free software. It only has projects that are for freeware programs. It takes awhile to get the nack of how to search effectively, but a lot of times searching for 'Free ___" on Google doesn't turn out so well, purely because there might be free on that page, but the program you're looking for isn't free.

Also, I am not familiar with CAD programs, but I know Adobe is doing something with select softwares. If you are a student and can produce your ID and schedule, they will let you have the trial for your entire semester, not just one month. Pretty good deal if you're in school, I'd say.

[General Cole]

I was going to not post for a few days, but I recommend Inventor. I like it more than Alibre, Solidworks, and AutoCAD. It is just not as good, I just like it. Get the student edition, so that it is cheap, and you only lose 1 feature.

[Carbon]

As long as people are discussing free 3D tools, you have to mention Blender. Free, open source 3D that, judging by Elephant's Dream, is very capable. I played around with it, didn't much care for it, but then, I did my time in the 3D mines with Lightwave 3D.

As far as the question:

But I know CAD costs a couple thousand and I'm wondering why.

For another example, my print shop is currently looking at new software for quoting and tracking jobs. It'll run about $4,000. Because, how many people actually need print shop software? Likewise, high-end drafting software is another niche product, and niche software is expensive. Someone will always be willing to sell software for specific functions...but development costs are development costs, and if your target market is small, the cost of the software has to go up to recoup those costs.

[Sponge Nerfer]

Thanks very much guys.

This has really given me a better idea of what cad is and how I should use it.

Thanks for helping!

-sponge

[LastManAlive]

Wait until you get to design something for a 3D modeling machine. Forge the names of those. We made a salt shaker with it with the Project Lead The Way class. Very neat.

[wintermute]

I've been working on a AUV at school and we use pro/E (pro engineer). It is a good program, and can be used with a CNC mill. Unfortunately, it is also rather expensive, but is installed on all the complabs at school.

Edited by wintermute, 17 June 2007 - 12:48 PM.