which cad program????

Want to design your own teardrop or tiny travel trailer. You can do that in 2D or 3D. We keep our secrets in here!

which cad program????

Postby Big DE » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:34 pm

Which cad program do i need to open a .dxf file and get measurments
Thanks Big DE :thinking:
User avatar
Big DE
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 201
Images: 93
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:10 pm
Location: MANVEL,TX

Postby mikeschn » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:12 pm

There are many.... okay, most cad programs can read dxf and measure stuff..

I'll assume at the moment you'd like something easy and something free...

This should be right up your alley...

http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html

Mike...
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...
User avatar
mikeschn
Site Admin
 
Posts: 19202
Images: 479
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:01 am
Location: MI

Postby angib » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:23 pm

Here's my CAD software page, listing cheap and free CAD packages.

You have to choose between a viewer and a full CAD package:

- A viewer will only let you look at dxf/dwg/etc files, take measurements and 'red line' (ie, draw corrections/notes), but will be easy/easier to use.

- A full CAD package will let you create new files as well as modify existing ones, but you have to learn how to use it. Learning all of a full CAD package is at least as hard as learning all of Photoshop, say.

Andrew
User avatar
angib
5000 Club
5000 Club
 
Posts: 5783
Images: 231
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:04 pm
Location: (Olde) England
Top

Postby mikeschn » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:16 pm

Andrew,

Here's one you might add to your list...

http://www.solidedge.com/free2d/

I use a UGS product at work which is very high end... although I haven't had a chance to look at UGS Solidedge yet, I will very soon.

Mike...
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...
User avatar
mikeschn
Site Admin
 
Posts: 19202
Images: 479
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:01 am
Location: MI
Top

Postby GHOSTSSX » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:32 pm

We have solid edge 19 at work. Haven't played with it yet, but it seems pretty good. Plus we have a take home license! :twisted:

CHUCK
GHOSTSSX
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 238
Images: 35
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:53 pm
Location: Birmingham-Hoover, AL USA
Top

Postby angib » Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:02 am

mikeschn wrote:Here's one you might add to your list...

http://www.solidedge.com/free2d/

Thanks. That has to be a pretty comprehensive program - it's a 250Mb download!

Andrew
User avatar
angib
5000 Club
5000 Club
 
Posts: 5783
Images: 231
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2004 2:04 pm
Location: (Olde) England
Top

Postby KrazyKyngeKorny » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:46 pm

DeltaCAD $40 shareware, 45day trial or CADstdLite freeware. :thumbsup:
KrazyKyngeKorny
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:59 pm
Top

Postby Conestoga » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:04 pm

I'm in the process of looking at the suggested CAD programs, I would like to share some of my ideas.

I tried modeling software years ago, what I remember is Blender before it got popular,
and SketchUp before Google acquired the company.
I got nowhere with these software packages.
My dad uses AutoSketch.

I use the 3D program in my head, which has helped me in my work,
but I have never trained to get my ideas out in any form besides text.
Frustrating. And so far the software is nowhere as easy to use as my brainCAD.

OK, knowing that, can anyone suggest a few programs that might be right for me?
Or am I doomed to build first and show pictures later?

Thanks in advance.
User avatar
Conestoga
Donating Member
 
Posts: 261
Images: 22
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:01 pm
Location: Central PA
Top

Postby mikeschn » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:43 pm

3D modeling is not easy. I think folks have a lot of luck with sketchup.

If you're not a 3D modeling kind of guy, than grab a good 2d package...

QCad comes to mind... http://www.qcad.org/

Mike...
The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials...
User avatar
mikeschn
Site Admin
 
Posts: 19202
Images: 479
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:01 am
Location: MI
Top

Postby TheDuke » Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:40 am

Actually, even SketchUp after Google is pretty good. Once you get used to it, it has enough accuracy to design almost anything that doesn't have to be machined, like teardrops. I start directly in Sketchup now, and my 2D CAD files rarely get opened.
User avatar
TheDuke
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 207
Images: 68
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:15 pm
Location: Lynden, WA
Top

Postby Carter » Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:22 am

You can download the evaluation program of Rhino 3d from www.rhino3d.com. It is the complete 3d package but only allows you to save 25 times. There is no time limit so if you open or create files and don't save it will not expire. There are tutorials for beginners included and more at the web site. It is a very comprehensive program. It will open many common file types including .dxf

Jim
I need a new Avatar. I'd put my dog up there but she doesn't look much like me. She's the skinny one.
User avatar
Carter
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 319
Images: 32
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:45 am
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Top


Return to CAD secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest