Replies

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Apr 22, 2004 12:55am | #1

   I don't know of an easy way to learn any CAD program. It takes some hard slogging, in my opinion, and the TurboCad documentation is pretty poor. IMSI does sell training guides for the 2D and 3D features, and they are not bad.

   I'd suggest working your way through the training guides and pushing IMSI's technical support for answers to anything you don't understand.

   I will say that I have found TurboCad to be very useful and surprisingly feature-rich for its price, so my time spent in self-training was a good investment for me.

   But, the usual caveat: Good luck.

2. 
   jackhall | Apr 22, 2004 01:10am | #2

   I recently bought Turbo CAD to replace my old Drafix software.  I was dissapointed.  I found the instructions full of terms that I had to go research.  Rather than starting out describing simple operations like "How to Draw a Straight Line", the format seemed to be like "If you want to do a prelex composite redering of an imported bloopo file using the detoxified linear scale technique then...".  The on-line tutorials left many questions and were of little help.  I have always had a pet peeve about software "instructions".  They are written by the same people who write the software and therefore do not approach things from a new user point of view. 

3. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 22, 2004 06:43am | #3

   Grumski,

   I know what you mean - dauntingly complex software with instructions written by folks who have little or no concept of how to write for folks unfamiliar with the software or the midset of the programmers who compiled it.

   There are books available through http://www.cadcourse.com. I have two by Kevin Doucette: "Mastering TurboCAD v9 2D" and "Mastering TurboCAD v9 3D" Neither book is ideal, but I guess they're better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   Dave45 | Apr 22, 2004 09:44pm | #4

   I've never used TurboCad, but I got into AutoCad about 10 yrs ago.  I learned most of it by just poking around and experimenting with things.

4. 
   jimswoodworks | Apr 23, 2004 04:12pm | #5

   I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said here. i have been using turbo cad for a few years now & also learned it myself & by purchasing the manuals. Took some time & frustration, but it was worth it. I started out with the $99.00 version & am now looking to upgrade since i have needs for greater capability. I think also that for the money, it was a great way to get into cad. Take care & good luck.. Feel free to contact me if you have any future questions...

1. 
   Grumskikorsakov | Apr 23, 2004 05:10pm | #6

   Thanks for your resposnse. Did you just mean the Reference Manual that comes with the CD, or some other 'bought' manual ?

   Greetings from a wet Glasgow, in Scotland.

1. 
   jimswoodworks | Apr 23, 2004 05:23pm | #7

   The manual that comes with the disc really sucks. You can order 2d & 3d manuals from the company that are better, I got mine during a 1/2 off promo (turbo cad seems to be lowering there prices on stuff now though too) & I think I paid 50 bucks for them both, just go to there web site. Good Luck...