Learning CAD software?

[WhoWhatNow]

I think it might be time to learn how to use a CAD program. I want to bring build a front end loader for my tractor and I'm thinking about having some parts cut out by waterjet. I figure the best way to design and have the parts cut correctly is by designing the loader in a CAD program. I've never used CAD or really any design software before. Everything I've done before been paper and pencil. So anyone have any suggestions on how to get started with a CAD program? Any good free programs available? Any guesses on how long it would take to go from zero to being able to do simple parts in CAD?

 

[GIJoe4500]

DraftSight is free. And I'm sure you could find some tutorials online. Personally, I use SolidWorks, but it is far from free.

 

[stsmytherie]

Check out SketchUp: http://www.sketchup.com/

Best way to learn IMHO is head over to youtube and watch tutorial videos.

My first job was working for a CAD software company back in the MS-DOS days. None of them are particularly intuitive to use and I think the move to Windows-style point-and-click interfaces made the learning curve even steeper. It's going to feel like pencil and paper is better for a while. Stick with it. You'll internalize the basics and you'll never look back.

Advantages of CAD include smart dimensioning (change drawing and dimension annotations change automagically) and ability to go direct to CNC or 3D printing.

 

[kazlx]

Download Autodesk Fusion 360. It's free for personal stuff or startup businesses. Very straightforward and they are plenty of online tutorials. I am using it for all of my CNC plasma cutting. It sounds like exactly what you want since you can grab a dxf from the faces and save for use in a water or plasma, which is exactly what I do with it. It also has CAM built in, so you can learn that portion of it down the road if you want, which is the whole reason I started using it. Very good program. There is better different stuff out there for certain things, but not free and not as simple.

http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/try-buy

What is your definition of simple? A bracket with some holes in it you could do in seconds and then instantly export to dxf. Once you use it, you'll be hooked.

IMO, sketchup ***** for actually building things. It's fine if want to use something to get dimensioned drawings or architectural things, but it does not generate parts or dxfs well. It's not really a CAD program designed for manufacturing. The only other program I would consider would be Solidworks, and that is definitely not free.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11698564_10153435748174168_2293295375398144757_n.jpg?oh=de8593dfc4dd1242b706b46e3d7bea15&oe=5654678E

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10952544_10153055896409168_7093816382546845574_n.jpg?oh=4b46b18dde312070debaffd90095ca96&oe=5647CE35

 

[AnthonyJ124]

I learned a bit on the job working sales in an engineering/fab shop, but I took a course from cad institute online and learned a ton. It wasn't cheap and it was a decent course load, but I found it to be worth the money. If it's a skill you think you will use long term- it could definitely be worth the time and money investment.

From what I recall the course covered the basics of autocad and didn't have many prerequisites other than being able to use a computer. I think they have a student autocad program that you can get cheap or free too.

 

[APEowner]

I don't have any advice regarding free or cheap software (although I'd certainly check out Fusion 360) but I do recommend that you bite the bullet and start with a 3d package. I'm old enough that I started with a drawing board and have moved through several drawing packages and am now working with full blown 3D modeling programs.

Working with 3D let's you concentrate on the design process and then quickly generate the 2D manufacturing prints if you need them.

 

[bullnerd]

I'm with Kaz, I just discovered 360 also. Go watch some vids on there site. Pretty powerful for free.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will try fusion 360 first. It sounds like they have good tutorials on their site too.

 

[dr_clyde]

I really am a fan of DraftSight for quick and easy 2D dxf files for the laser or waterjet. Simple, free and professional.

For my 3D modeling I use Solidworks, and love it, but it's expensive. I can't speak about most other 3D stuff, as I don't use any of them.

 

[sanddan]

Has anyone used both SolidWorks and Fusion 360 and could give a comparison? I've used SW for years and currently have a student version but I think the license is only good for one year. Now that I'm retired I need to find an alternative to SW.

 

[dr_clyde]

I think I'm going to experiment with autodesk fusion because of the CAM. I'd like to learn another program for modeling anyway.

 

[Divcod]

Download Autodesk Fusion 360. It's free for personal stuff or startup businesses. Very straightforward and they are plenty of online tutorials. I am using it for all of my CNC plasma cutting. It sounds like exactly what you want since you can grab a dxf from the faces and save for use in a water or plasma, which is exactly what I do with it. It also has CAM built in, so you can learn that portion of it down the road if you want, which is the whole reason I started using it. Very good program. There is better different stuff out there for certain things, but not free and not as simple.

http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/try-buy

What is your definition of simple? A bracket with some holes in it you could do in seconds and then instantly export to dxf. Once you use it, you'll be hooked.

IMO, sketchup ***** for actually building things. It's fine if want to use something to get dimensioned drawings or architectural things, but it does not generate parts or dxfs well. It's not really a CAD program designed for manufacturing. The only other program I would consider would be Solidworks, and that is definitely not free.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11698564_10153435748174168_2293295375398144757_n.jpg?oh=de8593dfc4dd1242b706b46e3d7bea15&oe=5654678E

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10952544_10153055896409168_7093816382546845574_n.jpg?oh=4b46b18dde312070debaffd90095ca96&oe=5647CE35

Fusion web site shows a 30 no charge trial. Where did you find a free package?

 

[lilcraigford]

Has anyone used both SolidWorks and Fusion 360 and could give a comparison? I've used SW for years and currently have a student version but I think the license is only good for one year. Now that I'm retired I need to find an alternative to SW.

Another SolidWorks user here. I'd be interested to hear feedback on this as well. For the heck of it I did a quick search that turned up this: From SolidWorks to Fusion 360: My First 2 Weeks

 

[casestudies]

Fusion web site shows a 30 no charge trial. Where did you find a free package?

Main webpage graphic on right says to download the free trial and register as a hobbyist for the free version:

Free for students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and startups
Full use of Fusion 360 for as long as you need it
Start by downloading the 30-day trial
Once you’re in, simply register for free use

I use Autodesk Inventor at work and it's extremely powerful and easy to use, but insanely expensive, and therefore out of the realm of affordability to hobbyists. Haven't tried Fusion yet, but I heard about it, and will definitely give it a try. Out of the free software, it definitely looks the most promising.

Being free for hobbyists and small businesses is great too as it allows people playing in their garages and basements a powerful tool and the ability to learn professional grade software. I think companies are finally starting to catch on that the hobbyist market is a worthwhile investment. Let's just hope it remains free in the future.

 

[ddawg16]

I'd take the Autodesk over the Solidworks. We use both at work....Solidworks is on it's way out. It got in for it's 3D modeling....but Autodesk came up to speed and there is better synergy between the 2D and 3D files when it's all in the same product.

I hate working with files imported from Solidworks.

 

[zkling]

for fusion and dtaftsight for free and easy to pick up quickly. AutoDesk really did the world a service with fusion.

 

[kazlx]

The great thing about Fusion, is it gets you a chance to learn the software. I plan on paying for the full version in the future. Also, some might complain about the cloud based stuff, but that is the direction everything is heading. It's nice to have access from anywhere. I have the Fusion App on my iPhone and can use it to show people designs. They are coming up with some handy features.

I have friends that are now using for complete concept to part, which is the main reason I wanted to learn it. You can do cad and cam all in one package. They keep adding more support for different processes. I think it will only continue to get better.

 

[Djstorm100]

Solid works or pro e


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jimgood]

I tried Fusion 360. Complete frustration. Could not load their forum to get support and had mixed results with the software. They did not have the system requirements anywhere so I downloaded it to my laptop, which was not powerful enough. Then bought a refurbed gaming desktop thinking that would have better capability but did not get enough memory (4GB). Regardless, Fusion 360 could not even complete the second step in their tutorial. I'll get some more memory and reinstall it but so much for productivity!

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am still very much a beginner with Sketchup. I took a few online courses, but I am sure that I am not using the tool to it full potential.

Start with a 3D tool. The learning curve may be steeper, but once you get to the first or second plateau, you will be able to do a lot !

 

[richeyc2000]

I'm a Pro-E man myself in work. Would be nice for home, but a bit pricy for the amount of work I'm needing designs for currently.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Richard D]

Is Fusion compatible with AutoCAD? Same commands?

 

[kazlx]

Not sure. Fusion is pretty intuitive. You can easily watch some videos to learn the basics.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Anyone use Bobcad? It's coming with the plasma table I recently purchase, so I will be doing a deep dive soon.

 

[gte718p]

Is Fusion compatible with AutoCAD? Same commands?

compatible in that it will open the files, yes. Naming conventions for tools are more or less the same. It is however not command line driven so commands are not the same.

If you are familiar with CAD it is fairly straight forward. The parametric CAD can take some getting used to if you have not used it before. However, if you have to go back and make revisions it is wonderful.

YouTube has a ton of good instructional videos.

 

[sailah]

I use AutoDesk Inventor 2015 and it's awesome. If you are a member of TechShop you get a free 3 year license which is where I got mine. TechShops also have a waterjet, powder coating, lathes, mills, welders and almost anything else you might need to build a front end loader. They aren't in every city, but for a reasonable monthly fee you get access to some awesome specialized equipment and a $10k 3D design program included. I was an instructor for their waterjet and inventor would export faces off 3D parts and I would be holding the part in my hand 10 minutes after I drew it on the computer in the next room.

 

[zhaddock]

Main webpage graphic on right says to download the free trial and register as a hobbyist for the free version:



I use Autodesk Inventor at work and it's extremely powerful and easy to use, but insanely expensive, and therefore out of the realm of affordability to hobbyists. Haven't tried Fusion yet, but I heard about it, and will definitely give it a try. Out of the free software, it definitely looks the most promising.

Being free for hobbyists and small businesses is great too as it allows people playing in their garages and basements a powerful tool and the ability to learn professional grade software. I think companies are finally starting to catch on that the hobbyist market is a worthwhile investment. Let's just hope it remains free in the future.

Autodesk will give you a three year inventor professional license for free if you are or know someone who is a student.