Replies

1. 
   chairmake1 | Jun 17, 2003 01:41am | #1

   I don't know how much more powerful a cad program you will need if

   TurboCad is not enough for your use. I have Ver. 8 that I got at Comp USA on sale for $49.95 and it will produce any 2D drawing I can make and included is 3D wireframe and solid modeling. If you just want a top-front-and side view this is a program that will preform for you and you do not have to jump on the learning curve for the 3D unless you want. But if you want a change to something else try -DesignCad

   Robert

1. 
   Adrian | Jun 17, 2003 02:47am | #2

   What is it you can't do in Turbocad? I teach 2d and 3d Autocad, have two CAD/CAM packages also, plus I'm fooling with Autodesk Inventor and some other stuff too.....but I also use Turbocad (less so now than before, because I'm choosing to concentrate on other programs now), and it's a fine general cad program, in my opinion.  It's better at some things than Autocad, and vs. versa, but it will do pretty much anything you want it to do.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 17, 2003 03:40am | #3

   Do they offer TurboCad in a Mac version? Or, are you aware of a decent, not-too-costly 2D program for the Mac?

1. 
   rococokid | Jun 17, 2003 04:23am | #4

   I am mac platform also... forget about any help or advise.

   the one I know is Vector-works. I only use a 3-d for presentation

   and only a pencil for 2-d.

   the way I like it!

   MG

2. 
   rubydog | Jun 19, 2003 03:27am | #9

   Hi Jim and other Mac users,

   I'm using Claris CAD and still love it after all these years. I have version 2.0 c1992. I purchased Turbo CAD v 3 for mac in the mid 90's but didn't like it. If you can find Claris CAD anywhere get it. It runs on everything up to OS 9.2. I've used it on all my macs from my classic 8mhz to my current g3/266. Old but great.

   Steve

1. 
   Jimma | Jun 19, 2003 04:46pm | #11

   Thanks, Steve, I find that very helpful and will see if I can locate a copy, maybe even from the company. Since I'm not currently using any kind of CAD software, I may find it overkill for the one-of-a-kind things I do, but I'd like to check it out, anyway. Do you live anywhere near Central Florida? If so, maybe I could invite myself to see how you use it. Thanks again. Jim

2. 
   rubydog | Jun 23, 2003 01:20am | #15

   Hi Jim,

   Claris was the software arm of Apple from the mid 80's to the early 90's at which time software was brought back under the Apple banner. CAD was discontinued after v2.0.

   I live in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. Should you find yourself up here checking out the local woodworking scene or some of the wonderful craft schools I'd be happy to show you the program.

   I'm at [email protected]

   Steve

2. 
   tufenhundel | Jun 17, 2003 07:00am | #5

   RJT:

   I've used TurboCAD (forgot which version, but not latest) for a while, and just had to respond to what you just said you wanted to do...you could do exactly that.  You'll have to go into the property of the object you've just drawn, and set it exactly how you want it.

   Perhaps you might want to get some reference material for TurboCAD?

   The only problem I've had with TurboCAD is that it is HIGHLY unstable on my WinDoze platform.  I don't know how many times I've lost work when I get the "blue screen".  AutoCAD is a much better tool.

3. 
   krumy1 | Jun 17, 2003 05:23pm | #6

   I use the demo version of turbocad and you can do what you describe. I think for a free program it's pretty good. There is another program that is free that I like very much as well. It does happen to be a 3D modeler but it's not hard to learn and there is a very good tutorial to get started with. The program will also generate 2d dimension drawings from the 3D models. What's nice about the program is that it's very similar to woodworking. Say you want to fashion a raised panel door. You start with square stock and remove the parts you don't want, just like sawing, routing, or shaping. The program is a free download at ptc.com if you're interested.

   http://www2.fwi.com/~krumy/wwhat/halfdoorandpanel.jpg

   http://www2.fwi.com/~krumy/wwhat/halfdoorandpanel_1.jpg

   http://www2.fwi.com/~krumy/wwhat/Drawing4.jpg

   Steve K

1. 
   mbiker1999 | Jun 18, 2003 02:01pm | #7

   HI Krumy,

   I downloaded the TC program and it looks great.  What was the 3d program you refered too and where can I d/l it?

   Thanks

1. 
   krumy1 | Jun 18, 2003 02:43pm | #8

   Hi Bill

   The link is http://ptc.com/  The site is not real easy to navigate but start with >products and services>free downloads. The program is ptcPro desktop express or something similar. It is about a 30 meg download. After you download and install you'll have to get an activation key to use the program and the key will only work on that computer. It's not a big deal and there is no charge and they will email you the key in a matter of minutes.

   Steve K

4. 
   rubydog | Jun 19, 2003 07:35am | #10

   Hi Richard,

   I use CAD to help close in on the perfect proportion, to make sure door swings land where I want them to land, to have presentation drawings for potential clients, and because an electronic archive is handier for me. The automatic dimensioning is real helpful. I like being able to make a change and have side by side versions.

   I'll typically draw plan and elevation views. I'll write up a bid on another sheet of the drawing so that it's always part of the drawing.

   I do it for everything I build, even if it's spec or for myself. Mostly I build artsy kitchens and built ins. I have hundreds of CAD files going back over 10 years.

   Steve

5. 
   Adrian | Jun 19, 2003 10:17pm | #12

   Richard;

   v1.02???? i started with Turbocad v5 seven years ago (I think).....don't know when v.1 came out, but they're up to v9 now. There have been a lot of improvemnets just since I started using them; try a demo copy maybe, and see if the new version is easier on you. I think v.9 Pro is only $250 to upgrade, and Standard is $49 or something....that's one of the reasons i like Tcad, it doesn't cost the same as Autocad (something like $5000 in my bucks).

   Another option is Intellicad, whcih was available as a free download a couple of years ago, don't know what the status is now.....anyway, i had it on board for a while, very good program, I just didn't want to be learning that many programs so I dumped it. Commands are very similar to Autocad.

   What are they using in the office at your work?

   cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
   WAY too conservative to be merely right wing

1. 
   Biscardi | Jun 19, 2003 10:23pm | #13

   I don't mean to hijack the thread, but . . .

   I actually tape pieces of paper together and make full scale grawings. When they are finished I ink them with India ink and a steel pen. Is this nutso or good enough for a guy who makes two or three pieces a year? I never used a cad program and don't know if it is worth changing my old fart ways.

   Frank

2. 
   tufenhundel | Jun 22, 2003 02:10pm | #14

   Adrian:

   Quick question if you don't mind.  Can I scan veneer images into AutoCAD and use it to fill my polygons in the drawing?

   Thanks.

1. 
   Adrian | Jun 23, 2003 07:27pm | #16

   I'm not very expert at applying materials for rendering in Autocad; it's not that useful to me (and actually this is an area I think Turbocad is much better at). But yeah, you should be able to use any image that can be saved to add realism to a rendering. I'm home today, and can't check out exactly how Autocad does it though. A lot of people that have a need for this buy a seperate rendering package rather than do it in Autocad.

   As far as scanning a veneer goes, one trick people use is to go to the website of a plastic laminate manufacturer, and look for small bitmap images of their solid wood patterns (or any other pattern that grabs you; not sure right now who has good ones....I think Nevermar did);save it to your own computer, then use that as the material you apply to an object in your CAD package. Be prepared for a good bit of experimenting though, because grain direction and the scale of the grain pattern can be tricky, and lighting etc. is also a factor. The Turbocad website used to have some pretty good examples of what can be done in that area. I've only taken small steps in that direction.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing