Which CAD software?

[loic2003]

Hi, I'm looking to design a frame and suspension for an off-road buggy. To get things accurate, I was looking to pick up some CAD software. Has anyone used CAD before and if so, what would you reccomend, considering I'm a CAD newbie?

many thanks.

 

[wwswimming]

Autocad 12 for Windows, my favorite for doing drawings. only one
problem. they don't sell it anymore, i have or had it on an old
Windows 95 machine.

if you can get a student discount, Autocad 2008 from Campustech.com
http://www.campustech.com/acad...license-win/51814.html
about $150 for a 14 month license.

stanford bookstore has Solidworks.
https://www.stanford.edu/group...SUprices/software.html
$99 for a 24 month license.

Solidworks has good tutorials and has good 3D modelling and
drafting capabilities.

but it still takes time to get good at it. if you use CAD to do
your project, part of your time will be spent learning the software.
(approx. 3 months if you pick it up fast.) some of the best
design engineers i've worked with used drafting vellum.
nothing wrong with pencil & paper.

a lot of the software companies have free full-function
downloads. Autodesk/AutoCAD and Rhino3D come to
mind.

http://www.autodesk.com/

http://www.rhino3D.com/

 

[Modelworks]

http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html
Its free to try and 35.00 if you want to buy it.


Does the job and doesn't require you to learn a lot to start using it.

 

[43st]

What are your goals? A dimensioned drawing? 2d/3d important?

Id' say start off with AutoCad LT, it's the cheap version with no 3d ability. AutoCad doesn't do round tubes well in 3d. Something like Inventor LT may be better suited, they have a free trial as well.

 

[loic2003]

Looking to basically figure out lengths and angles of box steel and whatnot to put the buggy together. I have the parts: axles, engine, suspension, etc which I can measure, but I want to be able to make a model of the box frame and suspension. I could do it by hand, but figured that since I'm an IT professional by trade and am about to blow £1200 on a decent PC, I might as well try and pick up CAD. Also would be good to add to the CV.

I tried a copy of Solidworks from a friend, but was curious as to whether I'm learning to use an outdated/unpopular system (eg, if I wanted to get good at image manipulation and was using paint shop when the de facto application for most people is photoshop - not that there's anything wrong with PSP).

Thanks for the responses!

 

[43st]

Solidworks, Inventor, CATIA, NX 5 are all good choices with different options depending on what you need. This is some VERY pricey software though and don't expect to learn or master it quickly. The same goes for AutoCad, you might be able to draw some lines on the first day but it takes years master.

Keep in mind, unless your buggy is an Ariel Atom, all these software packages are complete overkill. If you just need square tube cut lengths any freeware cad trial from the internet will work fine.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

Originally posted by: wwswimming
Autocad 12 for Windows, my favorite for doing drawings. only one
problem. they don't sell it anymore, i have or had it on an old
Windows 95 machine.

He probably wants to do this in 3d. Acad 12s 3d capabilities are laughable. They are so much better in 07 and 08.

Still, a solid modeling program is much better suited for the task. I'd recommend Autodesk Inventor or Solidworks.

 

[loic2003]

Ok, solidworks it is then, since I've spent a few hours on the tutorials already.

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[edro]

If you want a free, top of the line 2D solution, check out Solid Edge 2D.
Link

Unigraphics (parent company) was recently purchased by Siemens.
Solid Edge is already becoming a huge player in the CAD/PLM field.
With Siemens taking over, it will only bring more money to the developers.

Solid Works, Solid Edge, Inventor, Catia, are all great systems.
Like others have said, they are extremely expensive though.

 

[Rowboat]

At my company I use Alibre to do 3d solids modeling. They are alot cheaper than solidworks and can do the same things. They also offer a 30 day trial that at the end of 30 days continues working in a limited capacity. When you enter into the Design Xpress after 30 days you can still do most things you want I think, certainly worth a look.

Alibre

 

[imported_cinder]

Originally posted by: loic2003
Hi, I'm looking to design a frame and suspension for an off-road buggy. To get things accurate, I was looking to pick up some CAD software. Has anyone used CAD before and if so, what would you reccomend, considering I'm a CAD newbie?

many thanks.

Through Autodesk, the publisher/creators of AutoCAD, you can get all of their software completely free with a .edu email address. There are only a few programs they offer that are not full editions (I.E. 3D Studio Max and some others). You can get all sorts of CAD software through them, AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor, Rivot, etc. Most of the programs give you a liscence for the newest version availible.

I know this was an old post but many people may want this software so enjoy.

Autodesk Student Community