How do you use a CAD program

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by Dougal

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.

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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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

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

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

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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/

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Originally Posted by Dougal

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.

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Just Google it.

Here's one of the distributors
IronCAD

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