Replies

1. 
   riverr1 | Aug 23, 2002 09:10pm | #1

   Jim,

   I use autocad which has an autocad LT version in the price range you are referring to. I did some cad work for a company that did molded plastic backs for the Lay-Z-Boy Chair Co. which is my home town. I can tell you from this experience that if this is the type of work you are considering(a lot of sweeping and change curves consistent with many chairs), consider a solid modeling program which many cad programs now include. Even with cad it will save your hours of work.

   Whatever program you get, verify its translation abilities. The all say they can do it, but very few do it well. A good reason to consider the autocad lt.

   If you have a community college in your area look into cad classes. It would probably be a great deal for the money if you are not familiar with how they work.

   Don

   
   

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   Edited 8/23/2002 2:12:45 PM ET by Don C.

   
   

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   Edited 8/23/2002 2:14:07 PM ET by Don C.

2. 
   DennisS | Aug 23, 2002 10:18pm | #2

   You can get your feet wet in CAD free of charge by downloading a trial copy of IntelliCAD from http://www.cadopia.com. This is a fully functional version. You have 1000 sessions (program launches) - that's right, 1000 - in the trial version.

   If compatibility with the Autodesk/AutoCAD file format, .dwg, is an issue, IntelliCAD is 100% so. As compatible as AutoCAD LT. The interface and command set is pretty much the same as AutoCAD, if that's of any importance. There is limited 3D capability and no 3D solids modeling functionality in the free trial version. But if you're only considering 2D drafting, IntelliCAD is a great opportunity to see what it's all about.

   If you intend to develop your CAD involvement beyond 2D drafting, I agree with DonC - get a 3D program. I would suggest downloading a trial version of Rhinocerous (http://www.mcneel.com). This is one of the few real NURBS modeling programs in the under $US1000.00  price range. The interface is quite similar to AutoCAD such that AutoCAD users generally can pick it up quite easily.

   In the $100 price range, I don't personally think you'll find a great deal of flexibility and bill of material (BOM - cut lists and the like) functionality. I would like to be proved wrong, of course. Stuff like this in other disciplines usually runs into the $K's of bux. But if you're into programming or learning to program using the embeded programming languages of most CAD software these days, it wouldn't be much work, just time, to develop your own application.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

3. 
   nhlett | Aug 24, 2002 01:29pm | #3

   We picked up turbocad for my son last year ( he wants to go into engineering) and it comes with a basic tutorial that I would rate as fair and, of coarse, for $80 we can download the advanced tutorial.

   My experience is that you need to plan on a learning curve which will depend on your current evperience with software. I consider myself an advanced user, but TC is a animal unto itself. If you have any previous CAD experience, that would probably help.

   My sense is that TC is a good product that will do most anything you want if you are willing to spend the time. We didn't so it sits on the pc, inactive. Every so often I get the urge to pick it up again and learn it. but that goes away.

   I'm not trying to scare you but trying to present my experience to you. Also I have looked at others and found that what we experienced with TC is probably typical of all CAD programs.

   Good luck.

   Peter

   
   

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   Edited 8/24/2002 6:32:09 AM ET by nhlett

1. 
   riverr1 | Aug 24, 2002 07:33pm | #4

   Jim,

   Most cad programs are intuitive, except Cadam with the separate function box, and rely on your conventional drafting skills. The more you know about drafting the easier cad will be to learn. About the bill of materials, most progams allow for what is called "attributes". Although they work in different ways, what you do is take a series of lines and define those lines to be something, lets say a bolt. Everytime you put that series of lines together again you assign that attribute to them again. With cad though you can copy that series of lines without limit, and when copying the assigned attribute gets copied also. Many programs allow you to maintain a library of attributes so you can use them from drawing to drawing. Most programs will also have a list attributes function for a drawing, which will list them all. Then, if an aftermarket add on, or if supplied, those attributes are translated into the format of what is typically a BOM. There are also many aftermarket programs available that are nothing but a library of parts. Many manufacturers now offer a "library" of their products for this reason. They will contain, size, product and item number, etc. These can be had from everything like Pella for windows and doors, to Danley for springs and die shoes. This is where the translation can become important. If the program doesn't translate well, then you are just importing corrupted information into your drawing.

   Don