CAD software

DRussell · Feb 19, 2019

Do any of you use CAD software or a CAD app to create drawings? If so what do you recommend for a new user?

jimlll · Feb 19, 2019

We used AUTOCAD at work, probably the most popular, and it is very capable. But I?m now retired and it?s beyond my budget.
I?v downloaded FREECAD, but am struggling to learn it.

DRussell · Feb 19, 2019

Is AutoCAD difficult to learn?

Jcrowl · Feb 19, 2019

How much do you plan on using it? I have used AutoCad for many years, for the last 10 we've been using Solidworks. I like Solidworks, you create a 3D part model then make your drawing from that. There's Onshape software that is an online cad software, they have a limited free version, I've tried it ands its not too bad.

Larry EC-OH · Feb 19, 2019

If you want to use auto-cad I would highly advise finding a close community college and enrolling in the beginning CAD course. Here in Ohio if you are 60 or older the classes are free. I taught CAD for many years, and it's much easier to learn with my suggestion.

Good luck, Larry

randyrenfro7 · Feb 19, 2019

You can find a copy of AutoCadd Lite and get the tutorial CD. It is fairly simple but it does take some learning, a college course will be a Godsend to you. It is a 2D program and for 16 or 32 bit format. There is a free Solidworks 2D program downloadable for 64 bit. (windows 10)

steel · Feb 19, 2019

Autocad, as it is most commonly used, is primarily for creating two dimensional drawings. It's been around for decades and it's not bad.
Solidworks, Inventor, and similar softwares are 3-d solid modeling software. They allow you to generate a 2d drawing then quickly convert it to 3d to make a single part. Those Inventor parts can then be moved, rotated, and combined into larger assemblies. Files can be converted to knock parts out on 3d printers or whatever.
Jr. high kids learn all these programs.

Jaden · Feb 19, 2019

You can try Draft Sight for free. (Download it)

billfromwisconsin · Feb 19, 2019

I have been using CAD for some time now. Is it hard to learn, yes and no. I am surprised no one mentioned sketch-up. I think it is free, or reasonably priced.
Do you want 2D or 3D? Most work can be done in 2D.
I have used AutoCAD ($3-4000, plus yearly fee), AutoCAD LT (around a grand), SolidWorks and Inventor ( both $4-9000 plus yearly fee). I have Alibre CAD at home, it is close to Solid work, I call it Solid works lite.

I really like solid works the best for 3D. It is a parametric modeling program. So are Inventor and Alibre. For home use in 3D, I would check out Alibre, good value, can do both 2D and 3D.

I would not recommend going to cheap, you get what you pay for.

but then, what do I know.

PS: a class is always a good way to learn, along with some you-tube video tutorials

Oliver 500 Wa · Feb 19, 2019

Kind of depends on what you are making drawings for. I make machined parts and assemblies so I use a solid modeling program called NX. Solidworks would be a very popular choice for that type work too. Neither of those programs is worth a crap if you are doing architectural drawings.

DRussell · Feb 19, 2019

I don't plan to use it for architectural drawings. I would use it to design and draw the geometric shapes for hydraulic cylinders and mounts with travel arcs.

RedRoundhead · Feb 19, 2019

There is also Fusion 360 from nnalert - $350/ year.

It is ok. Support is pretty decent for the cost.

You CAN generate g-code right from the model, which is handy. nnalert does not have an extensive library of post-processors, however.

But, if you are handy, or have a very standard machine tool control, it is easy enough to make your own.

We fiddled with it a bit for a few months, doing some 3D milling. It worked pretty well for the price.

David G · Feb 19, 2019

I would recommend 3D modeling over CAD for what you want to do.

Autocad Fusion or Solidworks, I think Fusion is free for hobbyists.

PaGlenn · Feb 19, 2019

I worked with Autocad doing floor layouts in eight story building before retiring in 2005. Can't remember the last release I worked with. I brought home a file with all the drawings and would like to view them. Any software out there to accomplish that?

Oliver 500 Wa · Feb 19, 2019

..... I would use it to design and draw the geometric shapes for hydraulic cylinders and mounts with travel arcs.

This is exactly where a 3D modeler shines. You can verify your cylinder stroke. Check for interferences. Depending on how fancy a program you get you can even do force calculations and some simple stress analysis.

Janicholson · Feb 19, 2019

I teach using solid modeling programs. Inventor, Creo, U Station, Solid works. Find the best price for a generation old used software (not ripped) Utube is your friend. Jim

MarkB_MI · Feb 20, 2019

You might want to check out Solid Edge from Siemens. This is a professional-grade 3D CAD system that Siemens sells to customers who don't need their top-of-line CAD system, NX (formerly Unigraphics). You can <a href="https://solidedge.siemens.com/en/free-software/overview/">download a copy </a> and use it for free for 45 days.

Also, don't discount open source software. I don't have any personal experience with any of the freeware CAD systems currently available, but there are a lot of them and some are said to rival commercial packages. Google "open source CAD" to get started.

Mike(NEOhio) · Feb 20, 2019

I have Solid Edge on my laptop. I used it at my old job so stuck with it. You can download a free educational version.

gears · Feb 20, 2019

Sketchup was nice until Trimble got ahold of it. Now, the latest version is a webpage so you need to be online to use it. You could try TinkerCAD too. But it's online as well.

Jeff in ND · Feb 20, 2019

There is a AutoCAD viewer program free on their website.

For some reason, the NAME of the company and their website trigger the forum banned words software. Look for auto desk (all one word) site. Replace the x's with said word as all one word...

https://www.xxxxxxxx.com/products/dwg/viewers

I used the viewer to open and print out dwg or dxf files from a 1992 PC I have with very old AutoCAD on it that I occasionally use.

3000OH · Feb 20, 2019

Have used a package DesignCAD for 28+ years. Very reasonable, in $100 range even for 3D (a cheaper 2D is also available). Not widely known software but is user friendly. I haven?t checked recently but a free trial version was available. Same company sells TurboCAD but I have no experience with it.

RM-MN · Feb 21, 2019

Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists and startup companies with less than $100,000 in sales. Pretty powerful.

Tony in SD · Feb 21, 2019

I?ve been using AutoCAD for over 30 years. At present I?m using AutoCAD 360 on my iPad Pro with a I pencil. Works great for shop drawings. The down side it requires an annual subscription.

T in NE · Feb 24, 2019

Side question: whatever happened to cadkey? I learned it in high school.

Mashbox · Mar 1, 2019

(quoted from post at 05:48:27 02/20/19) I worked with Autocad doing floor layouts in eight story building before retiring in 2005. Can't remember the last release I worked with. I brought home a file with all the drawings and would like to view them. Any software out there to accomplish that?

Trueview is a free program from AutoCad for viewing Autocad files.

Mashbox · Mar 1, 2019

(quoted from post at 05:48:27 02/20/19) I worked with Autocad doing floor layouts in eight story building before retiring in 2005. Can't remember the last release I worked with. I brought home a file with all the drawings and would like to view them. Any software out there to accomplish that?

Trueview is a free program from AutoCad for viewing Autocad files.

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