Anyone recommend a easy and simplish CAD programme. I want to design a
couple of mods for my case and send them to a company to make/cut.
A programme that is free to use too would be good.
Anyone recommend a easy and simplish CAD programme. I want to design a
couple of mods for my case and send them to a company to make/cut.
A programme that is free to use too would be good.
Google SketchUp springs to mind, it's the easiest 3D CAD software I've ever used.
have a look at http://www.vectorengineer.com/
Not used it myself but I've heard good things about it
Do you know who you'll be sending your designs to? What are their requirements? Hand-drawn paper drawings will be acceptable for some companies. Others may request CAD for importing directly into CNC machines, and this has the added benefit that there is less likelihood of someone misreading something or entering the wrong value when working from paper prints.
There are a plethora of different CAD packages, each with its own merits, but if you want to supply an electronic file for the manufacturer to work from, I'd start by asking them what file formats they require and select software accordingly.
If it's for a one-off job lots of professional software is available on 30-day free trials. Just make sure you plan your timings well to ensure that you have the licence available for any revisions that may be required to clarify/alter details for the manufacturer .
Be interested to know what you're trying to do to your case. Do you definitely need to out-source it?
if it's AutoCad he's after, Autodesk give a free 30-day trial of the full AutoCad software.
I have a client that uses a product called ProgeCAD.
I always thought it was free, but evidently it's not - works like a charm tho'
Any CAD proggy that can export your project in .dxf format will be ok imo. That's the format that's most universally used for machine tools & lasers. To be sure, ask the company you're using for the work what they prefer & base your decision on that.
Did a google on the above and if it's this company you're looking at:
http://www.millturncnc.com/offline_programming.html
then they state:
I'd have a chat with them to see if they would prefer a 3D model or orthogonal 2D drawings. It will depend on what you're trying to get made. Still intrigued to know what you're trying to get done.We are able to accept electronic files and drawings in most standard formats - including DXF, IGES, STL, EPS and AI eliminating the delays of sending drawings by post and enabling us to give a faster response to your requirements.
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