Members Caddata Posted May 21, 2008 Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 This is a holster design I'm working on using Autocad. Are any of you using Autocad and, if so, would you like to show us your efforts? 2008_SIG_p220_001.bmp 2008_SIG_p220_001.bmp Quote
Members Srigs Posted May 21, 2008 Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 Nope do it the old fashion way with paper and trial and error. ACAD does not take into account the necessary bends and true shape of the leather IMHO. Quote Srigs, http://www.sideguardholsters.com "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking" - George S. Patton.
Members Shorts Posted May 21, 2008 Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 Tried Inkscape for a bit, but I found I'm more effective with pencil and paper. Quote
Contributing Member Jordan Posted May 21, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted May 21, 2008 (edited) Cool clean drawing, now howbout some measurements. Also if cad was 3D would that take care of factoring in thickness and the various moulding that would be needed? Edited May 21, 2008 by Jordan Quote
Contributing Member Regis Posted May 21, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted May 21, 2008 I've used autocad some years ago (was actually beta tester in late 80's) and if turning & viewing the 3D object would help me or if I were doing the cutting and bending in a cnc machine, then I would use it. I am currently more profecient in Corel and am satisfied with 2D so that is what I use. Also, pulling in scanned or other graphics in Corel or Photoshop is more useful (unless they've added that to recent Autocad). I think the best tool is the one you are most profecient with, manual or automated. Regis Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
Members RonSC Posted May 21, 2008 Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 cool: While the concept is appealing unless you have dimensional accuracy it would be difficult to transfer this to an actual "working" pattern. One question..Did you "scan" the gun, that is to say, is it dimensionally accurate? This type of work would need to be treated like a sheet-metal pattern where the shape could be developed into a flat pattern. I could see it working with a 3D program in Kydex.... (OOPS! there's that dreaded word!!!) Hope it works, keep us posted. Quote
Members Caddata Posted May 21, 2008 Author Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 ....ACAD does not take into account the necessary bends and true shape of the leather.... Autocad is very accurate for sheetmetal layouts. Leather should be much easier (forgiving) than sheetmetal to work with because it's flexable. ....if cad was 3D would that take care of factoring in thickness and the various moulding that would be needed?.... The patterns would be developed in 2D Autocad. The operator would have to make allowance for material thickness and bend radii. ....unless you have dimensional accuracy it would be difficult to transfer this to an actual "working" pattern. One question..Did you "scan" the gun.... The Sig was scanned, digitized, and "tweaked" to be dimensionally accurate. It took about ten minutes to scan, digitize, and "tweak" the Sig. It took another ten minutes to layout the first holster and about two minutes each for each additional version. I believe Autocad can be valuable in this application for full size patterns. My problem is that my leatherworking skills lag far behind my Autocad skills. 2008_SIG_p220_002.bmp 2008_SIG_p220_002.bmp Quote
David Posted May 21, 2008 Report Posted May 21, 2008 Caddata I use MicroStation for my design work. I am not designing leather patterns with it but rather my tooling artwork. If anyone is interested in that, I can post some of them. My actual seat patterns are done the old fashioned way; which is to trace a master pattern. But I am fortunate that all my seats are basically on one two seat pan shapes. David Theobald Quote
Members Rhome Posted May 21, 2008 Members Report Posted May 21, 2008 I wish I knew how to use autocad to develop new patterns. I have it on my computer and have played with it but lack the skill needed to work it. I spend a fortune on pencils and erasers not to mention file folders to develope new patterns. Rhome Quote www.desbiensgunleather.com
Members Shorts Posted May 22, 2008 Members Report Posted May 22, 2008 I wish I knew how to use autocad to develop new patterns. I have it on my computer and have played with it but lack the skill needed to work it. I spend a fortune on pencils and erasers not to mention file folders to develope new patterns.Rhome When I used Inkscape, I burned a lot of paper and ink doing what I could have with a pencil and eraser. There was also a learning curve for the program. I spent way too much time fiddling on the computer than I should have. I agree with what Regis said about using the tools you use best. Some folks it may be ACAD, some the old school method. Remenber when OCC Choppers on tv went to their fancy dancy water jet machine....and they did a lot of design on the computer. Well, they definitely hired new blood to run those programs and be the design guy. Otherwise, its a steep curve in addition to the time it takes to continue building. Itd be nice if us human had downloadable update capability, get us up to speed on using new technology within a few minutes lol Quote
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