affordable CAD software

[Chalenge]

Sik1 in your case I think a subscription would be in order. Have you talked to a reseller at all?

[Mr No Name]

hey, try ebay... seriously, i got an older version of coldfusion server for my server - which suited my needs... it is something like 1200 bucks but i bought old version off someone that did recent upgrade for under 200 bucks... completely legit license

[Skuzzy]

There are programs available which can take DXF format (most 3D drawing programs will export DXF files) and output G code for CNC.  The trick is the DXF has to be saved with face information and not as lines (AutoCAD defaults to saving line information only).  I have used other generic 3D drawing programs (Sketchup, Maya...), then ran it through 3DWin5 as it will convert the format to the proper DXF format, then used MeshCAM to generate the base G-Code.

MeshCAM is not perfect, but it can generate some pretty complex paths.  It really depends on how clean the drawing is.  It will only generate G code for up to 4 axis (X, Y, Z, and X or Y rotate), so it may not work for you.

I have a small CNC rig so I can test the code if I need to fire it off to a larger shop or cut it myself.  If I need 6 axis paths, I will generate the G code from programs I write for the job.

I would love to be able to afford SolidWorks.  I just cannot justify the cost for the hobby level work I do.

[SD67]

I use Rhino3D.
A very well respected Aeronautical engineer friend put me on to it.
He does all his stuff in Rhino. http://www.oriontechnologies.net/
It's like a breath of fresh air if you've been using AutoCAD.
check it out here=>http://www.rhino3d.com/

[themaj]

http://www.a9tech.com/
I tried it out, seems to work fine.

Vectorworks by MiniCAD used to be an affordable pro alternative to AutoCAD.

I used to use Rhino way back in the beta days, great nurbs modeller.

Currently I use AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009, which is a very powerful terrain modeller, and also runs as AutoCAD 2009 standalone. Very powerful and intuitive.

[Skuzzy]

My Wife uses AutoCAD everyday.  There is nothing intuitive about that software, from a 3D drawing perspective.  AutoDesk has thier own unique way of doing things that is not like any other 3D drawing program on the planet.  It is a very powerful package, but it is not easy to learn.

My hat is off to you if you think it is easy or intuitive.  I have worked with dozens of 3D drawing programs and I would rate AutoCAD as the most difficult to learn to use for 3D work.

[Speed55]

I've never used it, but couldn't the free program  Blender be used to create the actual piece instead of using paper?  Once it's completed you could then take screen shots, and  add your measurements in a legend on the side.

 or

From reading skuzzy's post i got an idea.

I googled  (convert g code to dxf.) and found this open source program.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8814

I have no experience with this stuff, so i don't know if it helps or not.

[indy007]

It's really that high huh? I will have to do some serious looking, and may just do it the old fashioned way, by hand with paper and pencil. Those old drafting classes might just pay off.

Solidworks Educators edition is precisely what you're looking for. It's under $200. It'll let you draft whatever you want and spit it out ready for a CnC mill.

The downside is you lose most of the features that makes SolidWorks amazing, like materials analysis, virtual wind tunnel, etc.

I had drafting, then pre-engineering & 3d autocad in highschool. Same lessons still apply.

edit: There's also a lot of tutorials on YouTube for almost any software you end up going with. Autodesk, SolidWorks, etc, etc.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Thanks for the help guys, it is greatly appreciated.

I should be able to get away fine without materials analysis, since there are already industry standard materials for the parts I'm making, the drums are 7075-T6 aluminum, the hubs are 8620 steel, and the shafts are 4340 torsional steel. The valvebody I'm making will be 356-T6, hard anodized to prevent the steel valve from wearing on it.

I will talk to the CNC shop that will do some of the work, we're going to do a study so we can cost the project and figure out if we can do it with a decent profit margin. Not sure who we'll get to make the shaft, we MAY be able to buy one that already exists, since we're only changing the drum that shaft fits, not the location of the drum, and we can make the drum accept the shaft.

The one part is pretty complex, and will be fairly difficult to make work. I'm going to have to make the carrier out of aluminum if at all possible to get the weight down. But I will have to have a steel ring gear on the ID in the front, and it'll have to work with a splined steel shaft that locks into it in the back.

[indy007]

Not sure who we'll get to make the shaft, we MAY be able to buy one that already exists, since we're only changing the drum that shaft fits, not the location of the drum, and we can make the drum accept the shaft.

Now I don't know if the educators edition comes with it, but SolidWorks has a pretty damn big parts catalog built into it. Drag and drop it onto the assembly, and it's ready to go. Chains, gears, shafts, electrical components, hydraulics, & more.

[Shuffler]

You can find used 2 to 3 year old versions of AutoCad online. Go to the makers BBS. Some as cheap as $500.00 and they are capable of 3D if needed. The maker of AutoCad is Autodesk.

When sending drawings to a machinist it is usually better to save with a DXF extension. Many companies still run software that will only convert that extension to G code for thier machines. We have the ability to convert DXF and DWG.

[mipoikel]

My Wife uses AutoCAD everyday.  There is nothing intuitive about that software, from a 3D drawing perspective.  AutoDesk has thier own unique way of doing things that is not like any other 3D drawing program on the planet.  It is a very powerful package, but it is not easy to learn.

My hat is off to you if you think it is easy or intuitive.  I have worked with dozens of 3D drawing programs and I would rate AutoCAD as the most difficult to learn to use for 3D work.

Autocad is NOT a 3D program(even if there are some features). Try Autodesk Inventor.

It depends on what do you need, for mechanical design there is Inventor (suite, professional etc), for architects there are Revit and Architecture (these two will be soon one product) and many many more different solutions. One of my fellow coworker just designed himself a house with a Revit and before that he had never even touch that program. You learn basics very fast.

btw, Im reseller for all these. Unfortunately I cant sell them for you guys.

[Skuzzy]

You are right.  I worded that poorly.  I have been using Autodesk products since the late 1980's.  The things that stand out in my mind are, very powerful software with a very long learning curve and the least intuitive of all design software I have ever used.

My Wife has been using the architect version for the last 14 years and she still gets very frustrated with how clumsy some things are to do, while other things are very easy.

Shuffler, you have to be careful with DXF files, as many programs will only export lines to DXF and not the poly/face information.  Basically, with line only information, it is a 2D drawing and that is how all 3D programs will treat it.  You probably are aware of that, but others may not be.

EDIT:  Mip, I would not call AutoDesk Inventor a low cost solution.  I think it fits in the "big ouch" cost solution category. 

[themaj]

I'm refering to the terrain modeling and civil (roads, subdivions, etc.) 3d design as intuitive.
Removes alot of the time consuming drafting out of a project, such as labelling, and scaling text.

[Shuffler]

True Skuzzy...

We convert the DXF to G Code then fill in the tooling and types of passes using software that we bought with the machines. I have a CNC Fryer MB-16 Mill and a Trumpf 5040 6kw Laser with a 6' x 12' bed. The laser is 2D except when using the Rotolas which allows us to cut pipe and round, square, and oval tube. The laser also has a Liftmaster so it can run production lights out.

No one has mentioned Pro-E.... possible bvecause of pricing. Foot in the door will be about $13000.00. It is very nice and 3D.