Simon W
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 02:56 PM |
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Recommended CAD packages
I am looking to learn a CAD package for trying to get some of my basic paper designs into electronic form. I very comfortable using computers (its my
job) but havent used a CAD package before. What would be a good one to start with? I would mainly be trying to design bodywork at first.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 03:00 PM |
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Bodywork is very difficult to draw in CAD. Even if you know what you are doing!  3 dimensional curved surfaces are quite hard to define, and the
easiest way is to loft a solid through a series of cross sections, the more cross sections you have, the better the shape will be.
I would suggest you try to get hold of a copy of solidworks and start off by drawing up some simple stuff. Then progress onto bodywork design.
Or you could get hold of 3ds max which is pretty good for arty stuff.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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ayoungman
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 03:05 PM |
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As Flak says, bodywork is tough to get right. He's far better at CAD than I will ever be. I use Prodesktop all day everyday and teach it to 12
yearolds upwards. Very easy to start with and capable of very good complex shapes, but the ability to shape flat surfaces is limited. U2U me and I can
put you in touch with a copy if your interested.
"just like that !"
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John Bonnett
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 03:06 PM |
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Some years ago I bought the AutoDesk Mechanical Desktop release 4 which I used for designing distillation plant. It was absolutely excellent for 3D
drawing. Unfortunately it needs Windows 95 to operate it so now for me it is useless.
It it of any use to anybody?
John
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ayoungman
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 03:12 PM |
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Flak Monkey is too modest to show an example of Prodesktop from his site so I will instead !
"just like that !"
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flak monkey
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 03:24 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ayoungman
Flak Monkey is too modest to show an example of Prodesktop from his site so I will instead !
Why thank you
Good lord that looks rough compared to what I have been up to recently *looks ashamed*
Clicky 1
Rough arse cad sketch 2
Those are drawn in SW, I cant claim to have done all of the work myself, but it shows you what you can do. I was responsible for the chassis bits. The
bodywork is just created from lofted solids.
If you want a copy of ProD i can sort you out with a freeware copy of 2000i2. U2U me for a DL link.
Something else random in SW:
Click Me!
[Edited on 2/3/07 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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Donkeymatt
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 04:10 PM |
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Looks like formula student to me! Am i right?! 
I would def go for solidworks to start off with - its very easy to teach yourself - thats what i've done!
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ruudbeckers
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 04:41 PM |
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If you know something about newsgroup, you perhaps can still download a full version of 3ds max with the following link.
It also inclused the 3ds max bible (complete ebook about how to use the program) and a very nice movie about how to shape a car.
Success
http://yabse.com/asearch.php?q=3dsmax9%2Dfull%2Dcollection&group=alt.binaries.boneless&sizetype=least&size=&age=all&sort=drf
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SeaBass
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 05:12 PM |
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I too teach Pro/DESKTOP day in day out...
We've just been told we moving to Pro/E and getting free training.
Solidworks is what you need though!
Cheers
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Hellfire
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 05:14 PM |
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As a basi user of Solidworks I find it easy to use and very effective but as stated its not easy but worth the while...
It's also available illegally free if you know where to look...
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ayoungman
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 08:10 PM |
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Seabass, I'd be interested in how you get along with that, I've been considering trialling it myself.
Ta from Alan
"just like that !"
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timf
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| posted on 2/3/07 at 11:12 PM |
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free cad
http://www.a9tech.com/
very similar to autocad
A prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him."
- Sir Winston S. Churchill, 1952
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Simon W
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| posted on 5/3/07 at 01:16 PM |
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Ok, obtained a copy of Solidworks 2006 so will have a play. Also got the "Solidworks for dummies" book on the way.
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Simon W
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| posted on 5/3/07 at 05:16 PM |
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Does anyone have any solidworks files they could send me of basic cars? I think this will help me learn the software by being able to pull
"apart" something already created.
Thanks
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flak monkey
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| posted on 5/3/07 at 05:20 PM |
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Sure I can find you something, maybe not a car though
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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