Cad software for dummies.

[Ron ColvinParticipant @roncolvin83430]

I also give a vote to Onshape, and have been using it from its early days. I do though back up all my work as STEP files, just in case.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I used Onshape initially. As I recall it wouldn't run under MS Explorer and when my employer banned other browsers I couldn't play at lunchtime so moved to Fusion. Might be different now.

[Retired BarryParticipant @wishiwasretiredbarry]

Hi…

Have a go with Fusion 360 (the home use version) Doesn't seem to have the bugs of FreeCAD as is a commercial package. Learning curve seems not bad to get drawing. I used "Future Engineering" on YouTube no connection disclaimer to get going, then plenty of other videos for advanced use out there. Limited non commercial use lasts a couple of years I think.

2D CAD I use LibreCAD and import DXF to CNC.

Regards, Barry

[Pete WhiteParticipant @petewhite15172]

Posted by Bazyle on 16/12/2022 16:36:23:

I used Onshape initially. As I recall it wouldn't run under MS Explorer and when my employer banned other browsers I couldn't play at lunchtime so moved to Fusion. Might be different now.

—————————————————-

I had a slight hitch initially running it on chrome, but was fine with firefox, might have been me, it works ok now, there is a flag that needs setting, I might have done it, can't remember?

All of these packages are a bit tough at first especially if you are profficient in 2D software. I use Onshape for all my drawing now. After you get over the first "wall" it gets easier, there are lots of vids out there as I said.

I don't see the problem with cloud based, works in an instant on the bt connection here.

As was mentioned, if you are not happy, just forget it.

I suppose the other offering have add on again free for us types, but onshape makes all? gears for example very easy, not that I have got as far as printing them yet! 

 

Edited By Pete White on 17/12/2022 10:29:18

[Steve NeighbourParticipant @steveneighbour43428]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 14/12/2022 10:20:39:

Posted by Journeyman on 14/12/2022 09:55:50:

Alibre Atom might be worth a go. It is paid for software but you can get a free trial it is a full CAD package not just drawing. There are tutorials on the forum and quite a few threads here about it. Try this thread to start with.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 14/12/2022 09:57:48

I am currently trying Freecad. I am having difficulty getting started. But at 75 years of age that is hardly surprising. I expect that I will crack it over the winter though, as there is little else to do. It is a case of finding the right set of You Tube tutorials. I did try one & it was not so good. I am on another & find it much better.

So I think that one has to decide how far one wants to go & how much effort one wants to put into it. If the answer is not a lot, then one has to go for a simple sketching one & be aware that it will not do much more than pencil & paper & not much quicker. But it will rub out & alter things easier.

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 14/12/2022 10:25:17

+2 for Free CAD – it is immensely powerful and completely FOC . . I have found it relatively easy to learn (I'm mid 60's) and is fully compatible with almost all CAD standard file formats, and no restrictions on saving files (unlike Fusion 360 – unless you subscribe)

There are some excellent structured YouTube videos, search for MangoJelly Solutions – I have found the chap really easy to follow.

It helps if you can have the video playing in a separate device (or screen) from the one you have FreeCAD running on

Steve

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Going back to Peter's initial question, maybe the best thing to do is download a couple of the free programs, say Open Office and Freecad, which represent the "pencil and paper" and Cad approaches, and just have a try? Nothing like a little practical experience to learn how these things are really like to use.

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Wish I was retired Barry, I agree with you about fusion but the problem with it is in the cam side of it, they have disabled rapid moves and toolchanges which makes it pretty carp for any machining.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I've not found the F360 restrictions that restricting. My Rapids for the machine were 1000mm/min, on adaptives I set the non cutting speed at 950mm/min and feed at 500-600 and combined with a high stay down percentage it dose not loose me much time. Don't have any form of tool change system so that has not affected me.

I'm also happy to walk away from the machine and let it get on with what it is doing so does not really affect me in time wasted watching the machine either.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I use NanoCad 2D which is free and very similar in layout and function to autocad. Downside is it's Russian, but as it's free I'm not supporting Putin, and I downloaded it ages ago. Qcad is very different, whilst perfectly capable I didn't want another learning curve

Edited By duncan webster on 18/12/2022 01:32:49

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

If you want something similar in operation to Autocad 2D have a look at LibreCAD it is free and community supported. If you are an old Autocad user it might be useful as it will read .dwg files, at least the latest version for Linux does, I haven't tried the Windows version so can't be sure if that update has reached it yet.

Russell

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

A simple 2D CAD I learnt the basics on is Cad Std. Lite version is free and will do most things. Pro version

allows more exports and import features..

The creator is very approchable and will answer any question you have.

[Author]

Posts