gasket999
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 02:53 AM |
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PC software to draw 3D chassis model?
Hi there - I hope that I'm right in putting this querey in this section...
I'm starting to plan a new project and am struggling to visualise the chassis design. I'd like a computer program for my PC that will
allow me to draw a 3D of the chassis rails. It only needs to be a very basic program - I've never used anything like this before and
there's no way I could use a complex product like full Autocad.
The only specific needs I have is for me to be able to control the lengths of each piece of chassis rail by altering the real-world measurements - eg
if i start by drawing the chassis and estimating a particular chassis leg to be 20" long and I later find out that it would be better at
25", I'd like to be able to have the software alter the picture if I alter the perameters.
Can anyone recomend such a program - either free or to buy?
Many thanks indeed folks.
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McLannahan
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 07:15 AM |
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Google Sketchup?
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balidey
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 08:19 AM |
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not on PC, but how about balsa wood.
Dutch bears have terrible skin due to their clogged paws
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 09:16 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by balidey
not on PC, but how about balsa wood.
Good call. Balsa Wood and a glue gun.
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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MikeR
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 10:04 AM |
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I use kitchen wooden skewers with hot glue. Available from all supermarkets for very little. The advantage of hot glue is you can use the nozzle of
the glue gun to heat up the joint and undo the joint.
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gasket999
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 11:24 AM |
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McLannahan, Google Sketchup is exactly what i was looking for - perfect! I had never heard of that bpiece of kit before - thanks.
I really like the idea of making a mock-up out of wood splints and a glue gun too - many thanks for the tips folks.
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kb58
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 06:01 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by McLannahan
Google Sketchup?
I went this route, even bought the "pro" version. In short, it's terrible for doing serious CAD work such as a car. Houses, perhaps,
but it's clunky and worse, very buggy when used for real CAD. It's well worth what you pay for the free version - zero - but the pro
version has too many bugs to be a real tool. The bugs are mainly in the format conversions, which is absolutely needed if you're planning to use
figures in a book, which is why I bought it. If you sense a bit of contempt in my post, yeah wel, they deserve it, I wish I could get my money back
[Edited on 3/13/11 by kb58]
Mid-engine Locost - http://www.midlana.com
And the book - http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/midlana/paperback/product-21330662.html
Kimini - a tube-frame, carbon shell, Honda Prelude VTEC mid-engine Mini: http://www.kimini.com
And its book -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/kurt-bilinski/kimini-how-to-design-and-build-a-mid-engine-sports-car-from-scratch/paperback/product-4858803.html
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McLannahan
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 06:34 PM |
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As a free tool it's excellent but obviously it's no match for a decent CAD package. I used to use ProEngineer and ProDesktop and
they're both superb but far from free. I'm not a current CAD user now really so I'm not sure what the current
"must-have" product is? Solidworks perhaps?
Gasket....you're welcome. Good luck with it!
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RichardK
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| posted on 13/3/11 at 07:41 PM |
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I'm sure there is also a sketchup of a 7 chassis already already available, may save you a bit of time.
Just checked and yeh there are 3 decent ones, just google sketchup locost
Cheers
Rich
[Edited on 13/3/11 by RichardK]
Gallery updated 11/01/2011
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 16/3/11 at 10:50 AM |
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Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, CATIA may be a little tech heavy for a new user but will run better
though. Perhaps NX 7.5 would be good to try, it visualises 3D models really nicely and and is fairly straighforward but is less comonly used then
Solidworks or CATIA.
Don't bother with AutoCAD, its like the retarded brother of design software.
Also if you get some proper CAD if you design something you can then do a proper drawing from it quickly and simply and have it made.
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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richardlee237
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| posted on 16/3/11 at 11:30 AM |
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The other good point about a balsa wood model is that you can twist and bend it to check rigidity, then see if you can improve it by adding or
subtracting elements.
It may not be Formula 1, but it is a simple and very cheap way of seeing if it is designed somewhere near right.
Quote Lord Kelvin
“Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in race horses and women.”
Quote Richard Lee
"and cars"
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Tralfaz
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| posted on 21/3/11 at 12:49 AM |
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Keep in Mind that by there own description Sketchup is..
A 3D sketching software for the conceptual phases of design.
So...use it for that and you wont be disappointed.
[Edited on 21/3/11 by Tralfaz]
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wormscoffer
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| posted on 21/3/11 at 09:11 AM |
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I can't recall where but I'm sure I've read somewhere that Chris used Sketchup for the illustrations in the book.
I wonder if he's shared it as I'm struggling to find a complete Sketchup model in the warehouse.
Andrew
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Alan B
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| posted on 21/3/11 at 10:12 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Derek Doctors
Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, ..............
Hmmm....I paid around 7k (dollars) for my Solidworks 2008 premium....did I miss out on some cut price bargains?
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 22/3/11 at 01:40 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Derek Doctors
Getting hold of proper CAD for free or very cheap is fairly easy.
If I was you I'd try and get hold of a copy of Solidworks 2009 or 2010, ..............
Hmmm....I paid around 7k (dollars) for my Solidworks 2008 premium....did I miss out on some cut price bargains?
Yes, anyone who works anywhere in the industry should be able to get you a copy for the price of a couple of blank CD's
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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