How do you use a CAD program

[Casper]

Had my son a while ago put a program called freeCAD on my computer but I have no idea on how to use it.

Any experts want to give me a kick start course or should I give up and just keep using pen and paper?

Cheers Damo

[Piddler]

you tube?
or do a course at TAFE its a bit hard to describe over the net there might be tutorials on the program in the help menu. The one we use has them.
Cheers

[Bigbjorn]

Before you get driven crazy by the systems refusal to do what you want, work out how to turn off "Snap".

[Slunnie]

I would definately learn to use "snap", its a fantastic tool to use, especially with the level of accuracy that CAD offers. If you're snapping to a grid, then just set the grid spacing to suit. The snap will also give you vertical, horizontal, perpendicular, tangents etc etc etc quickly.

But as said, look it up on youtube etc, explanations are way to detailed for people to post up if they have even used your particular CAD software.

[Mick_Marsh]

Before you get driven crazy by the systems refusal to do what you want, work out how to turn off "Snap".
Always use grids. Draw mainly with snap. Draw accurately at a scale of 1:1.
Start by drawing a line, then a square, then up from there.
What are you trying to draw?

[Casper]

Always use grids. Draw mainly with snap. Draw accurately at a scale of 1:1.
Start by drawing a line, then a square, then up from there.
What are you trying to draw?

Nothing specific yet, just want to get to know if it's worth getting my head around first and go from there.

The reason that My son picked this particular program was that there were tutorials on Youtube but they seem to have been removed so I may have to remove this program and start with something else.

Any particular program is better than anything else or is there a specific one that's better to know how to use or you know there are tutorials on Youtube?

Cheers

[Mick_Marsh]

The two big players in industry are Microstation and Autocad. They're a few grand a license so you might not be interested in those.

Google Sketchup is free I think but far less capable.

Lots out there. I got TurboCAD on a disc with APC magazine some years ago.

[Ferret]

Best free 2D CAD I have used is 'Solid Edge' (http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/) from Siemens but if your a student you can get the 3D version for free also.

Picked up the basics without needing assistance. Much easier than TurboCad I thought and more advanced.

[Piddler]

Best free 2D CAD I have used is 'Solid Edge' (http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/) from Siemens but if your a student you can get the 3D version for free also.

Picked up the basics without needing assistance. Much easier than TurboCad I thought and more advanced.


Thats the one we use works a treat has tutorials in the help section.
CHeers

[Casper]

Cheers thanks Folks, I'll let you know how I go.

I'm not a student, just a 41 yo that has decided that this is going to be my next challenge just because it interests me.

I would like to eventually draw up parts and stuff on it but at the moment I would be satisfied with just having a basic understanding.

[isuzutoo-eh]

I'm a big fan of Solid Edge too, been using it for 8 years now, predominately for 3D stuff.
Bit hard to teach even the basics over a forum, S.E. tutorials are pretty good though.
A fair few hobbyists seems happy with TurboCad, probably mainly due to price, but I found it a bit clunkier, less powerful and less intuitive than S.E. Solid Works is also very good but geez they know how to charge for a license.

[Mick_Marsh]

I'm a big fan of Solid Edge too, been using it for 8 years now, predominately for 3D stuff.
Bit hard to teach even the basics over a forum, S.E. tutorials are pretty good though.
A fair few hobbyists seems happy with TurboCad, probably mainly due to price, but I found it a bit clunkier, less powerful and less intuitive than S.E. Solid Works is also very good but geez they know how to charge for a license.
For 3D componentry an assembly, IronCad is far better than Solid Works.

[Dougal]

For 3D componentry an assembly, IronCad is far better than Solid Works.

I haven't heard of ironcad. Tell me more?

Solidworks user of 15 years here. I think they've lost the plot really. I haven't updated since 2009. Saved $12k and countless hours of frustration as a result.

[Mick_Marsh]

I haven't heard of ironcad. Tell me more?

Solidworks user of 15 years here. I think they've lost the plot really. I haven't updated since 2009. Saved $12k and countless hours of frustration as a result.
Quite easy to use compared to it's opposition.
I met the Australian distributor. He gave me a pirate copy.
This was designed on IronCAD.
The Redback Spyder.
Australia's Own Sports Car - the Redback Spyder (http://www.aussiemotoring.com/motoring-articles/Australias-Red-Back-Spyder.html)

For further information
CAD Software, Computer Aided Design Software, 3D CAD Design Software, Computer Aided Design, Software for CAD, 3D Design Software, Design and Analysis, CAD Design Tool, Solid Modeling Software (http://www.ironcad.com/)

[Dougal]

Quite easy to use compared to it's opposition.
I met the Australian distributor. He gave me a pirate copy.
This was designed on IronCAD.
The Redback Spyder.
Australia's Own Sports Car - the Redback Spyder (http://www.aussiemotoring.com/motoring-articles/Australias-Red-Back-Spyder.html)

For further information
CAD Software, Computer Aided Design Software, 3D CAD Design Software, Computer Aided Design, Software for CAD, 3D Design Software, Design and Analysis, CAD Design Tool, Solid Modeling Software (http://www.ironcad.com/)

Thanks, any idea how much? I don't plan to ditch solidworks, but if I need to buy another CAD seat for another employee it will be something else.

*edit*
I found a price on the NZ resellers site. One of the worst websites I've seen lately, but the price is palatable: http://www.spiredynamics.co.nz/

[Mick_Marsh]

Thanks, any idea how much? I don't plan to ditch solidworks, but if I need to buy another CAD seat for another employee it will be something else.
Just Google it.

Here's one of the distributors
IronCAD (http://www.cad.com.au/ironcad/ironcad/ironcad.htm#buy)

[Hay Ewe]

I downloaded Google Sketchup and found it to be OK
To use it properly I would need to put much more effort in to it and learn to use it well

I often got frustrated and so haven't bothered with it, this applies to others that I have tried in the past.

I think it also helps to have a pencil and paper sketch of what you are wanting to do in CAD before you start

Hay Ewe