CAD

Re: CAD

Hub in Ontario

>Isn't that an example of an oxymoron?

Hub

Re: CAD *LINK*

Jeff Schmidt

>As far as 3D CAD goes, you could give Google's Sketch-up a try. It is quite easy to use and it is free. I have not used it enough to know how well it can handle unusual geometries.

The low-cost 3D programs, such as TurboCAD are not easy to use. SolidWorks is fairly user friendly but very expensive.


Sketch-Up

I second Sketchup *LINK*

Wendell @ Murphy, TX

>I've been using Sketchup lately to do a shop layout and some other projects. In the past I've used QuickCAD which only did 2D drawings. I am impressed with Sketchup. The tutorial in the link really helped me use the tool effectively.

Wendell


UKworkshop Sketchup Tutorial

Re: CAD

Doug Reynolds in Seattle

>I believe it is the most recent edition of Popular Woodworking that has an article on this subject. Sketchup was high on the recommended list. If it is another magazine will someone correct me. The article says a big thing to consider is the steep learning curve and if you use it infrequently you might be better off doing the drafting by hand as we tend to forget things we haven't used in awhile.

Third.

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>

Agreed!

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond, CA

>A CAD program is NOT like riding a bike... I use Pro-E pretty much every day and sometines I forget what cretain commands can and can't do. Mainly because there so many of them that do similar things, but in different ways. I.E. there's more that one way to beat yourself with a dead horse and a CAD program.

Re: CAD

Tony Zaffuto

>Well, through the evening and night, I've come to the conclusion that CAD may not be the way to go. I've got several other options including #1 daughter (architect) who lives on our third floor, the engineer who works for me who is fully versed in AutoCad 2007 and resorting to a pad and pencil!

Quite frankly, as a hobbyist who only does 3 or 4 projects per year, learning CAD would be overkill.

However, I did download Google Sketch-Up on my office computer and will "play" with it a bit whenever I need a diversion from the daily grind!

Thanks to everyone who responded!

Re: CAD

Jeff Schmidt

>Tony,

Having used many CAD packages, I would agree that for 3 or 4 projects a year, stick with the galoot method. I often layout out things on a large sheet of paper to scale to get a proper perspective, and especially if it involves curves. I simply sketch and erase the curves until I like the shape, and then I make a cardboard template. This would take hours on CAD attempting using ellipses, circles, or splining through points. It is also much more satisfying doing it by hand.

There is one older CAD package that I have found easier and faster than "by hand" and that was Ashlar Vellum. It was incredibly intuitive. Alas, they no longer offer their simple 2D package.