Cad Software

[Matt T]

Anyone here use 3d design software to aid in construction of complicated projects? I have used solidworks in the past, but I don't know if there would be something more appropriate for this type of work. Something where I can design, and then generate printable patterns?

[shtoink]

I have heard mention of cad software being used for doing up patterns before. I'd say that SolidWorks is beyond overkill, but if you are familiar with it and have, then go for it. I could imagine that the sheet metal modeling features in SolidWorks might be pretty handy at constructing a project. You'd be able to get a good idea of the final design and flatten it all out at the end, too.

On the cheaper end of the spectrum is Google's SketchUp. It's pretty intuitive, free, and there are tons of tutorials for you to get started.

[RiverCity]

DraftCAD. It's free, and is very reminiscent of autocad 10-11. You can print 1:1, but depending on your printer, you might need to scale it up a hair as it can be off a little bit.

Chuck

[JLSleather]

I've been meaning to try a few myself. I used AutoCad forever, but the version I have doesn't work since Vista. I really miss being able to specifiy a radius and put it right there, but I'm pretty sure I'm not spending THOUSANDS $$ just for that. Adobe will let you do that, but with a few more steps ..

[WillAdams]

FYI The new license for Sketchup Make precludes commercial use.

A number of free CAD programs listed here: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/CAD

esp. Sketchflat http://cq.cx/sketchflat.pl

[shtoink]

Looking a little closer, it seems that SketchUp is no longer owned by Google, and it's nearly $600 for the Pro license. I haven't followed it very closely, so I hadn't realized that it changed ownership. I may fade out into obscurity since the transition in the way people can use it, but that purely speculation.

I apologize for any mix up.

My personal area of experience is with SolidWorks, so a large group of other programs just have no appeal for me. I know that there a quite a few different cad packages put there and they all seem to have their following. Also, I make no arguments for any one being better than another for a given task. I did think that using SolidWorks' feature set for making patterns was a clever idea. Especially when you can get an idea of the the final shape before ever cutting anything out.

[JLSleather]

As a used-to-be tool n die man, Autocad wasn't a choice, but a requirement. Seemed to translate to a number of other things, inluding leather. Not necessarily better, just what I was used to.

[rlpullman]

I agree that Solidworks and Google Sketchup are overkill. I worked as a Drafter for many years, doing sheet metal flat patterns. I use Cad software everyday when I am doing a new leather project. I like having my patterns done in cad, because I can modify them easily. I can cut and paste tooling patterns from one file to another to save time. I prefer AutoCad, but it is a very expensive program. The Company that makes Solidworks has a free program called Draftsight. It is very similar to AutoCad, and can save and open DWG files. Here is a link to the Desault Systems site where you can download Draftsight.

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/free-cad-software-downloads.htm

[RiverCity]

I agree that Solidworks and Google Sketchup are overkill. I worked as a Drafter for many years, doing sheet metal flat patterns. I use Cad software everyday when I am doing a new leather project. I like having my patterns done in cad, because I can modify them easily. I can cut and paste tooling patterns from one file to another to save time. I prefer AutoCad, but it is a very expensive program. The Company that makes Solidworks has a free program called Draftsight. It is very similar to AutoCad, and can save and open DWG files. Here is a link to the Desault Systems site where you can download Draftsight.

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/free-cad-software-downloads.htm

Draftsight was the one I was talking about.

Chuck

[shtoink]

Before getting into using SolidWorks I had been trying to teach myself on another cad package. It's called Medusa4 and they have a completely free version for personal use a boat-load tutorials and help on the site. They even offer a Commerial-for-Personal feature where you be considered being free for use until your plans need to printed off, which they do for about $15 each time. They aren't very well known like AutoCad or some others, but they offer a comprehensive package for free. It, too, is overkill, but can be used for far more.

[$$hobby]

I have training in Autocad, Inventor, Sw and Pro-E.

At the moment i like to use Inventor since ive used it at my previous job and i have access to it at my new job.

you can use the sheet metal features so you can include bend radiuses and material thickness. I havent used that feature that much, but when the time comes, i may give it a try.

Its overkill, but i like to experiment with such things and see how good it works out. I also like to use it to make my patterns. If needbe i will print them and glue/tape the pages togeather to make the one pattern and glue it to some scrap board.

i will also use invnentor for my wood working projects. it nice to be albe to layout your work to miminize scrap.

[Matt T]

I just found this, haven't used it yet. Anyone tried it? Looks really cool.

http://www.exactflat.com/