Good CAD software?

Anybody have any suggestions on good CAD software? The cheaper the better. I don't have the coin for a full on Solid Works license, and I don't qualify for the student version either.

I kicking around the idea of designing my own locost. The timeline looks something like this. Continue to DD my RX-8 for a couple more years while I design the locost around the dorito driveline in my spare time. Once I'm happy with the design, I'll take a few months to do an LSx swap on the Mazda so it can donate it's heart. In then end, I'll have nice GT car (with better hp, tq, and fuel econ to boot), plus a track toy that likes to rev.

Which brings me back to the question, what CAD package should I use?

You use to be able to get Inventor LT for free for a year from Autodesk. I would start by checking there.

I've heard good stuff about Alibre, but I've never used it.

Check out whatever the latest TurboCad is. I bought their (his?) 2D version a couple years ago to do manifold flanges on. Write out the file and bring it to the waterjet machine people (chicken plant manufacturer). AutoCad and me don't get along.

96DXCivic wrote: You use to be able to get Inventor LT for free for a year from Autodesk. I would start by checking there.

Looks like it's only 30 days now, bummer.

It totally seems like something like Autocad would have gone "open source" (or something...sorry, I'm not a tech guy) by now.

What gives, I wonder?

I'd LOVE to have something to use at home.

Clem

Here is a thread in another forum I hang out on, its chock full of cad software discussion on the cheap.

Also, this developer offers some free trial ware - i have acopy but never got around to playing with it yet: www.progesoft.com

Lastly, sketchup is a 3d sketching program that offers surprisingly easy to pick up software.

EDIT woops, looks like racinginc215 beat me to the punch

ClemSparks wrote: It totally seems like something like Autocad would have gone "open source" (or something...sorry, I'm not a tech guy) by now. What gives, I wonder? I'd LOVE to have something to use at home. Clem

Something about the $4000 per license Autodesk is getting for it makes me think they'll fight ACAD going open-source with their last penny...

I use ACAD every day... Most companies I've worked for have looked at less expensive options, but once you have LISP routines written into your menus, you're basically married to ACAD.

We're starting to move towards doing things in 3D (Autodesk Revit), but despite that, we'll still need ACAD for 2D drawing

I've read some reasonably good things about TurboCAD, but have no experience with it and it would be a bit of an expensive 'toy' when I already have an older copy of ACAD loaded at home.

D'oh...

I didn't mean to call out "AutoCad" like I did. I meant a generic freeware cad that was halfway capable.

Like and app on an Iphone [/sarcasm]

I'll go grab a bandaid for this cut right after I wipe it off with a kleenex...

Clem

I need to sharpen my welding skills anyway, so I might sign up for a class at the local com-col and see if that buys me the correct credentials for a student Solid Works license. They're something like $150.

i'll second google sketchup. I use acad mechanical and autodesk inventor every day, all day. i prefer solidworks to inventor but i'm sure part of that is having learned on solidworks previously.

for what you're looking to do, sketchup will have all the juice you need. i haven't played with it much but i'm sure you could do just 2D drawing with it as well. in your case, i would probably only use the 2d for quick sketches or long down and dirty work for suspension design. keep a separate file of the whole thing that'll primarily be for packaging. basically, i'd start by modeling the drivetrain components you're going to use, model the chassis, then seeing where they interfere with whatever locost design you're going to base the chassis off of. then the real fun begins

I teach CAD including AutoCAd and ProE.

I'd suggest “Solid Edge”, which is the 2D version of Solidworks.

[edit-OK, I thought Solid Edge Free 2D Drafting was also owned or created by Dassault.....apparently not].

Anyway, decent software and the download is free.

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/index.shtml

Another obvious option is Google Sketchup........very powerful, true 3D, excellent online training videos and also free. If you look in the Sketchup “warehouse” (drawings stored online) you might already see some Locost or similar plans. [edit-yes, there's several Locost plans available in Warehouse]

http://sketchup.google.com/

Do you just want to draw it out or test it as well. I use Solid Works for most everything now a days. With the testing components its really nice. I don't pay for the seat as the office does but if they have a trial give it a shot its very easy to pickup.

Another cheaper and faster option is to find the 442 chassis drawings that are around and modify them as you need too.

aeronca65t wrote: I teach CAD including AutoCAd and ProE. I'd suggest “Solid Edge”, which is the 2D version of Solidworks. Decent software and the download is free. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/index.shtml Another obvious option is Google Sketchup........very powerful, true 3D, excellent online training videos and also free. If you look in the Sketchup “warehouse” (drawings stored online) you might already see some Locost or similar plans. [edit-yes, there's several Locost plans available in Warehouse] http://sketchup.google.com/

Solid Edge is not in any way related to SolidWorks. It is also not 2D. They are competing 3D Parametric modeling packages, that will both generate 2D drawings from 3D models.

Trying to create 2D drawings in isolation is an act of futility in SolidWorks. It isn't much of an issue though, as I can model most parts quicker than I could draw them anyway. Dunno about Solid Edge in this regard.

Solid Edge is not a 2D program. It is a 3D program like SolidWorks. Having used SolidWorks, AutoCAD, NX, SolidEdge and Inventor, I like SolidWorks the most but SolidEdge isn't bad. The only real pain is the assembly engine.

clipless wrote: Anybody have any suggestions on good CAD software? The cheaper the better. I don't have the coin for a full on Solid Works license, and I don't qualify for the student version either. I kicking around the idea of designing my own locost. The timeline looks something like this. Continue to DD my RX-8 for a couple more years while I design the locost around the dorito driveline in my spare time. Once I'm happy with the design, I'll take a few months to do an LSx swap on the Mazda so it can donate it's heart. In then end, I'll have nice GT car (with better hp, tq, and fuel econ to boot), plus a track toy that likes to rev. Which brings me back to the question, what CAD package should I use?

I have always wanted to do a LSx swap in to and RX8. .. . But that is just me.

And I have to upgrade to the latest version of cad as my new 64 bit computer can not deal with the older version of cad I have. My new computer is turning out to be VERY expensive. About 9K worth of software upgrades will be required. For now I am running the XP virtual machine but what a Nuisance. 4k for AUTOCad is the going rate. I may look at LT as I really dont do much 3d.

I feel your pain re the cad costs.

tnerrot tib (oops I spelled it backwards)