CAD for beginers

[pop058]

Chasing some ideas for a simple CAD program to suit a novice. I would prefer a freebie (for now) that runs on my PC (eg. not have to run in a brower). I am trying to have ago at designing a hybrid type camper AND learn CAD at the same time.

Any input appreciated.

[LRJim]

Chasing some ideas for a simple CAD program to suit a novice. I would prefer a freebie (for now) that runs on my PC (eg. not have to run in a brower). I am trying to have ago at designing a hybrid type camper AND learn CAD at the same time.

Any input appreciated.I used to use google sketch up a little bit, but never really learnt how to master it prefer paper and pencil as painful as it can be.... But I think its still free and they have a paid version also.
Cheers Jim

[Bigbjorn]

There was a cheap disc programme called QuickCAD which was pretty good for newbies. Don't know if it is still on sale.

[austastar]

Hi,
Inkscape is a free imitation of Corel Draw which I found quite capable.
Cheers

[speleomike]

Hi

Inkscape is a drawing package but not designed for 2D or 3D mechanical design.

Have a look at FreeCAD FreeCAD: Your Own 3D Parametric Modeler (https://www.freecadweb.org)
Also check out LibreCAD LibreCAD - Free Open Source 2D CAD (https://librecad.org)

The advantage of open sources ones is that its free to try them all, pick one that you like and that does what you need.

Mike

[Dorian]

If you are going to design a camper then you really want to go 3D.
I’ve just (last 12 mths) started to get my head around 3D (Autocad inventor) , having used Autocad 2D for a few decades. It’s a different game, so don’t go down the tracks of I’ll learn 2D and upgrade to 3D. It’s just a different skill set.
I’ve just done a model and a cutting plan for a set of Drifta type draws for my daughters Hi Ace and the 3D system let me sort out a lot of problems that I would have missed in 2D..
Last time I used Sketch up it didn’t dimension easily, and that will be a must for you.
Inventor and Solidworks are the big commercial packages, but are not free. Although there are ways [bigwhistle]. The great thing about these is that there is plenty of teaching material to be had.

Cheers Glen

[Slunnie]

Sketchup

[CU55TM Disco]

Draftsight

theres a free version.

made by the same people the make solidworks

[workingonit]

Chasing some ideas for a simple CAD program to suit a novice. I would prefer a freebie (for now) that runs on my PC (eg. not have to run in a brower). I am trying to have ago at designing a hybrid type camper AND learn CAD at the same time.

Any input appreciated.

As already said, open source FreeCAD is a good place to start. It's 3D. File format allows export to slicer programs for gcode 3D printing. Been using it for years.

I've tried many free programs. Some focus significantly on typing data specifications (very keyboard intensive and tiring, but precise), others focus on dropping in 'building blocks' and dragging dimension intuitively on screen with minimal data typing, and others in between. Some examples:
- BRLCAD, USA military origin, a lot of data typing
- Openscad, I think it is this program that has been forked into many other opensource efforts, some data typing, some mouse dragging
- Salome, I believe French government supported, originally for designing nuclear power stations, emphasis on importing designs from other CAD systems then stress/flow testing the designs, however, it does have a good CAD end that allows you to create in the program rather than import from elsewhere.

A few proprietary programs allow student/home use licencing. My son uses Fusion360 for free.

There are many 'drawing' programs that give great design results often by manipulating imprecise meshed structures, however, their end game is not strictly defined shapes and volumes as in CAD,,,rather movie animation or gaming, such as Blender...who wants a precisely drawn blade of grass or leaf in a game...significant processor overheads...can't readily 3D print.

Any CAD is difficult to use at first.

[Blknight.aus]

Draftsight

theres a free version.

made by the same people the make solidworks


seconded

[goingbush]

I'm not a computer numpty but Ive tried many CAD programs in search for something I can get my head around , from Easycad to Autodesk .

Ive settled on QCAD . it the only one I don't have to keep referring to youtube videos. but its 2D cad only, at least now I can take a file to my local laser cutter & have exactly what I need cut from sheet.

. 3D & me are never going to happen.

QCAD - QCAD (https://www.qcad.org/en/)

[pop058]

Thanks for all the suggestions people. Now to start having a look and a play. I am sure there will be more questions. [thumbsupbig]

[goingbush]

I should add when I was building the EV Landy I took some cardboard templates to the Plasma Cutter like I always did & they said their "CAD guy has left, you will need to give us a DXF file" . Being the numpty at CAD I was I thought I'd be in trouble .

But once I found QCAD, this design including bumbling along learning the software only took an hour. I never managed any result so quickly with any other CAD software I tried.


http://goingbush.com/ptev/qcad.jpg


Embarrassingly they cut the metal pieces whilst I waited, a lot quicker than it took me to draw it.


Can't imagine getting such a nice result the old fashioned way with gas-axe . ( excuse my dodgy welding)

http://goingbush.com/ptev/mount1.jpg

[workingonit]

3D & me are never going to happen.

...hate to tell you, but you are already[bigrolf]


Nice work by the way.