CAD Software
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herbenus
Gold Member
I can use Autocad, Mechanical Desktop, Inventor, etc. But these packages cost thousands each and you won't learn them quickly if you haven't done cad before. There is Autocad Lite, which is slightly easier and slightly cheaper, but I think you would still be frustrated learning it. But this is an option and will net you a pretty good and versatile cad program. Check out www.autodesk.com for retail pricing.
Option 2: I would go to a computer store and look for a canned program geared for your needs: landscaping, houseplans, or whichever. These will probably be under $100, easy to use, but probably not real flexible. By that I mean you won't be able to use the houseplans program to do landscaping. You may find a general cad program as well.
Option 3: Find a buddy with a copy of Autocad or similar program and have him burn you a copy. (I've heard of people doing this but of course would never do it myself.)
Option 4: will have to come from some other poster. I am sure there are other good entry-level cad programs, but I can't help you here.
Hope this helps.
Option 2: I would go to a computer store and look for a canned program geared for your needs: landscaping, houseplans, or whichever. These will probably be under $100, easy to use, but probably not real flexible. By that I mean you won't be able to use the houseplans program to do landscaping. You may find a general cad program as well.
Option 3: Find a buddy with a copy of Autocad or similar program and have him burn you a copy. (I've heard of people doing this but of course would never do it myself.)
Option 4: will have to come from some other poster. I am sure there are other good entry-level cad programs, but I can't help you here.
Hope this helps.
jimgerken
Veteran Member
http://hometown.aol.com/andrewc119/index.htm
http://www.cnc.co.za/software.htm
http://www.casco.net/~felice/taig.html
Here are some links. the second one in the list is actually a page of links to dozens of programs. I don't know the prices and haven't looked at many, but did find some that are freeware, and many will give a 30 day trial copy. I have used Dancad3d, its pretty good but basic and freeware. I have used IBMCAD, now obsolete and unavailable. I have used Catia, which is complete and difficult to learn on your own. I would guess you could buy a down level copy of Autocad pretty cheap, its a mainstream package with good forum support somewhere on the net. There really are way too many choices here. Too many people are solving all the same problems writing all this great code. I guess the up-side is the price comes down.
Whatever you choose, look for DXF filetype output, it makes life easier to get your stuff cut out or built later by somebody. DXF seems to be somewhat widley accepted as input to the converters to machine code (G&M code).
http://www.cnc.co.za/software.htm
http://www.casco.net/~felice/taig.html
Here are some links. the second one in the list is actually a page of links to dozens of programs. I don't know the prices and haven't looked at many, but did find some that are freeware, and many will give a 30 day trial copy. I have used Dancad3d, its pretty good but basic and freeware. I have used IBMCAD, now obsolete and unavailable. I have used Catia, which is complete and difficult to learn on your own. I would guess you could buy a down level copy of Autocad pretty cheap, its a mainstream package with good forum support somewhere on the net. There really are way too many choices here. Too many people are solving all the same problems writing all this great code. I guess the up-side is the price comes down.
Whatever you choose, look for DXF filetype output, it makes life easier to get your stuff cut out or built later by somebody. DXF seems to be somewhat widley accepted as input to the converters to machine code (G&M code).
timb
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bobsedor,
If you're just looking for basic 2D drawing, then I got the best price for a legit CAD package - free. Go to the following link
IMSI Free Page and look for the download for <font color="blue"> TurboCAD LE </font>
IMSI lets you download that and use it free, no time expiration. I'm sure they're hoping you'll upgrade to one of their newer full 3D packages - which aren't necessarily that expensive.
I dowloaded and registered LE a few months ago - and just got an upgrade offer to go to their latest 3D package, V9. The upgrade to the standard V9 was $50, to the "Pro V9" $250. These are decent 3D packages - and the pro version is pretty potent. There's a further upgrade path to go to full CAD/CAM as well if that's your interest.
Anywan, LE works well for 2D stuff and the price is right.
Tim
If you're just looking for basic 2D drawing, then I got the best price for a legit CAD package - free. Go to the following link
IMSI Free Page and look for the download for <font color="blue"> TurboCAD LE </font>
IMSI lets you download that and use it free, no time expiration. I'm sure they're hoping you'll upgrade to one of their newer full 3D packages - which aren't necessarily that expensive.
I dowloaded and registered LE a few months ago - and just got an upgrade offer to go to their latest 3D package, V9. The upgrade to the standard V9 was $50, to the "Pro V9" $250. These are decent 3D packages - and the pro version is pretty potent. There's a further upgrade path to go to full CAD/CAM as well if that's your interest.
Anywan, LE works well for 2D stuff and the price is right.
Tim
Spencer
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beenthere
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I recently purchased the Turbocad v8 standard for $99. It is 2D/3D and I am impressed with what it can do and at the same time, overwhelmed by what I need to learn yet to be able to do all those things. I have been through several chapters, and overly anxious to get some real drawings made.
Their site is turbocad and I see where version 9 is out now with even more features.
Some interesting bits of information coming out here, and hope you find what you want.
Their site is turbocad and I see where version 9 is out now with even more features.
Some interesting bits of information coming out here, and hope you find what you want.
Schultz
Gold Member
I heard solid works had a free download for a while. They also had a free version for out of work engineers/technitions. You would have to check out there web site. Search for Solid works.
I use ProE but that isn't user friendly or cheap, so you can stear away from that.
I use ProE but that isn't user friendly or cheap, so you can stear away from that.
Anonymous Poster
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I use TurboCAD (v7 Professional) fairly extensively, and would recommend either the free downloadable version, and the paid updgrade (if you have need of the additional capabilities). I've also used AutoCADLT and found it to be very satisfactory.
One thing to consider is that any of the full blown packages, the free versions of them, and a lot of even the discount titles is they have pretty steep learning curves. An alternative you might consider is DeltaCAD. It's a free 30 day trial, about a $35 registration fee, and it works. It isn't pretty, and it has a somewhat limited feature set, but it is plenty capable of most common 2D mechanical drawing.
One thing to consider is that any of the full blown packages, the free versions of them, and a lot of even the discount titles is they have pretty steep learning curves. An alternative you might consider is DeltaCAD. It's a free 30 day trial, about a $35 registration fee, and it works. It isn't pretty, and it has a somewhat limited feature set, but it is plenty capable of most common 2D mechanical drawing.
EdDekker
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The Yahoo CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO group (home page) has had threads comparing the various CAD packages. Searching the archives cand give you a lot of good information.
Pro/ENGINEER is a complex 3d CAD program. Pro/MECHANICA is a related mechanical simulation package capable of not only simulating the parts movement relative to the other parts in the assembly but calculating the fatigue life, stress, deformation, and thermal conduction of the parts being designed. web page
The free subset of Pro/Desktop (itself a simplified version of Pro/ENGINEER) is available at
download web page
It is an interesting program but it requires a lot of practice and time to make it do what you want the first time. If the simple simple version is not enough there is another option.
Student Editions of Pro/ENGINEER and/or Pro/MECHANICA and related software are available for "personal or educational use" (no student ID is required) at pro educational store web page or JourneyEd web page. The prices are very low compared with the commercial prices of these products with few restrictions. (e.g. Pro/ENGINEER and Pro/MECHANICA is available for $150 while list price for commercial use is $34,000 )
If only I had time to learn to use programs this complex, I am sure that they would be useful.
The JourneyEd site has educational pricing on products from other comnpanies which require current student or faculty status to purchase or use. These include Solidworks, Adobe software, and many others. (A community college welding course could come in handy.)
Pro/ENGINEER is a complex 3d CAD program. Pro/MECHANICA is a related mechanical simulation package capable of not only simulating the parts movement relative to the other parts in the assembly but calculating the fatigue life, stress, deformation, and thermal conduction of the parts being designed. web page
The free subset of Pro/Desktop (itself a simplified version of Pro/ENGINEER) is available at
download web page
It is an interesting program but it requires a lot of practice and time to make it do what you want the first time. If the simple simple version is not enough there is another option.
Student Editions of Pro/ENGINEER and/or Pro/MECHANICA and related software are available for "personal or educational use" (no student ID is required) at pro educational store web page or JourneyEd web page. The prices are very low compared with the commercial prices of these products with few restrictions. (e.g. Pro/ENGINEER and Pro/MECHANICA is available for $150 while list price for commercial use is $34,000 )
If only I had time to learn to use programs this complex, I am sure that they would be useful.
The JourneyEd site has educational pricing on products from other comnpanies which require current student or faculty status to purchase or use. These include Solidworks, Adobe software, and many others. (A community college welding course could come in handy.)
Hoeman00
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Do u have a tech school nearby?
When I went thru Tool and Die apprenticeship we had 3 cad classes and they used Autocad.
The schools have a license to let students have it to do homework /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
To pay for the class wasn't that expensive ($250+/-) for the basic class and the books gave us have good instructions.
This would kill 2 birds w/ one stone.
When I went thru Tool and Die apprenticeship we had 3 cad classes and they used Autocad.
The schools have a license to let students have it to do homework /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
To pay for the class wasn't that expensive ($250+/-) for the basic class and the books gave us have good instructions.
This would kill 2 birds w/ one stone.
DannyWilliams
Bronze Member
Bob, sounds like your fired up and ready to go. I own a BX2200 and have fabricated a few implements. I didn't use a CAD program...didn't have one. I just looked at various things on the net, got some ideas and went on from there. Check out the link to see some of the things I've put together, such as (FEL, cat 1 hydraulic top link, hydraulic side link, rear mounted spool valve to control TNT, 3pt. forks, front reciver bumper, 3 pt. hydraulic boom/hoist and custom mounted Top.
http://community.webshots.com/album/64671033wFJmcn
Why do I do this....I just like building things and using my welder.
Good luck with locating a CAD program and designing your own implements. Ya know, I've heard that some people are using programs such as WinMX to share various programs/files....music, movies, applications (such as Cad programs) etc. You might be amazed at what you can find. As someone else said, "I would never do this", however I did hear the big boys talking about participating is such activities....just thought I'd pass it along. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
DW
http://community.webshots.com/album/64671033wFJmcn
Why do I do this....I just like building things and using my welder.
Good luck with locating a CAD program and designing your own implements. Ya know, I've heard that some people are using programs such as WinMX to share various programs/files....music, movies, applications (such as Cad programs) etc. You might be amazed at what you can find. As someone else said, "I would never do this", however I did hear the big boys talking about participating is such activities....just thought I'd pass it along. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
DW
Thanks Danny,
I have actually followed along with some of your other posts and seen your pictures, nice work. I am in a similar mode and want to build some stuff with my welder. I thought using my interest and skills with the computer I could possibly do some computer design and then build. If only there was more time! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Also, many thanks to all of the others. The information is all useful and appreaciated. As usual, the folks on this board are full of valuable information.
Bob
I have actually followed along with some of your other posts and seen your pictures, nice work. I am in a similar mode and want to build some stuff with my welder. I thought using my interest and skills with the computer I could possibly do some computer design and then build. If only there was more time! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Also, many thanks to all of the others. The information is all useful and appreaciated. As usual, the folks on this board are full of valuable information.
Bob
Schultz
Gold Member
I downloaded and installed the ProDesktop, my interest would purely be home use like your needs. Right now, I do my design work on my lunch hours or slow times using a full ProE 2001, plus my work computer is probably 10 times faster than my home computer. The ProDesktop does pull up native ProE part and assembly files just fine, but I was disappointed that it couldn't pull up ProE drawing files. For me it seemed more difficult to use than the full-blown ProE version, but everything has its learning curve. Unfortunately, it doesn’t use the same commands as the full version. I haven’t figured out how to spin the objects or assemblies yet. I guess I’ll just have to read the directions and go through the tutorial.
Since your making assemblies and other things that have to fit, my experience is that it's substantially easier creating things in 3d solids. Once you get use to thinking in 3d all the time you never want to go back to 2d cad. You can start by creating a general model of your tractor's attachment points & obstructions, then design from there and be fairly assured it will fit and go together well.
One other good add-on, not sure it will work with ProDesktop, but it works with ProE and other cad software is Procision mechanical analysis software from Rand Corp. They have a free six-month trial version. It blows away any FEA/mechanical analysis software from PTC or anyone else. It's extremely fast, and unlike all other FEA software its easy to learn (took me less than hour to get started), after using it on one project we dumped ProMechanca.
Since your making assemblies and other things that have to fit, my experience is that it's substantially easier creating things in 3d solids. Once you get use to thinking in 3d all the time you never want to go back to 2d cad. You can start by creating a general model of your tractor's attachment points & obstructions, then design from there and be fairly assured it will fit and go together well.
One other good add-on, not sure it will work with ProDesktop, but it works with ProE and other cad software is Procision mechanical analysis software from Rand Corp. They have a free six-month trial version. It blows away any FEA/mechanical analysis software from PTC or anyone else. It's extremely fast, and unlike all other FEA software its easy to learn (took me less than hour to get started), after using it on one project we dumped ProMechanca.
