Re: Software

[28ten]

Software

Ill set the ball rolling, on my hard drive i have
2d drawing
- Draftsight http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/ - Free - Mac, windows & Linux

3d visuals and design
- Sketchup http://sketchup.google.com/ - Free & £300 - Mac, Windows
- Autocad http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=452932&id=14626477 - £4k+ Mac & Windows
- Solidworks http://www.solidworks.com/ -  £4k+
- Photoshop http://www.photoshop.com/ - £500+ Mac & Windows
- Templot http://www.templot.com/ - £46

For most etched artwork and laser cutting Draftsight is all you really need and combined with Sketchup pro you can do most hobby based things Sketchup also has a huge number of ruby scripts that add extra functions, covering most needs.

I know a few people use turbocad, but I never got on with it, and if you are starting from scratch I would suggest Draftsight. Whatever you choose it is going to take  time to master the application before you can even start thinking of a DIY kit of your dream loco 

Hopefully others will give their 2p on the subject  8)

 

[Dan Randall]

Software

I have TurboCAD V9 Standard (2D) and TurboCAD V14 Professional (3D) on my laptop.

I didn't know the first thing about drawing packages when I bought the 2D software and found it incredibly frustrating to start with. 

As one would expect, the installation CD is accompanied by a manual the size of a phone book and being naturally impatient, I barely looked at it.  Little by little though, I began to learn the stuff I needed to know to produce artwork for etching.  An on-screen help menu is just a mouse click away and this is basically the entire contents of the manual, but in a much easier (for me), way to absorb.  It's a tremendous feeling sending a file off to the etcher and getting your mitts on the finished etches after a week or two! 


Once I’d become familiar with the 2D side of things, I bought the V14 Professional software, as apart from the 3D element (it does 2D as well), it allows you to import photographs and drawings.  If you know at least one dimension (and assuming the image is clear enough), it's pretty easy to trace over the photo or drawing and then scale the drawing accordingly.    Drawing something full size and then scaling it down the correct size is also very easy to do.

After a long absence, I’ve been trying to get to grips with TurboCAD 3D for the last fortnight or so and after a very frustrating 9 or 10 days, things are now starting to fall into place and I’m finding my way around pretty well.  I think I may have a few potential uses for 3D, so I’ll be giving it my best shot!

I do have AutoCAD LT as well, but having already got used to TurboCAD, I found it very difficult to use and with hindsight, would rather have aimed the £800 it cost in Pete Waterman's direction for another loco or two! 


Regards

Dan

 

[Pugsley]

Software

I've been using CorelDraw (X4) for etching artwork so far, but have now invested in a copy of TurboCAD Deluxe, mostly because of the 3D element, but I'll probably give the 2D part a go for the next etches.  The version I got came with an included basic training package, which has proved quite useful so far, but I think the 3d part is going to take a bit of getting my head around.

 

[phileakins]

Software

I've been using TurboCAD on my machine for some years now, although I'm sticking with v16 until the upgrade gets a bit cheaper.  They keep e-mailing me with offers which get better each time. 

It's not the easiest software to get used to but I've persevered and get a bit better each time I open it.  Using it to work on the drawings for the P class frames and valve gear (as in another thread - which I must update) has been been very instructive in the use of layers - and that invisible layers do not move along with the visible. 

I've fought shy of the 3D aspects so I'll be interested in all your experiences with it.

Phil

 

[28ten]

Software

One thing to always remember whatever package you use is to use layers to separate and organise drawings and blocks for anything that is repeated. For those that are unfamiliar with blocks, they are used to create objects that are used for multiple identical items such as windows, desks, chairs etc, and whenever the master block is edited the change will propagate through all the instances of that object in the drawing - a huge time saver.
Another benefit is that blocks can be reused in other drawings, in effect you make your own library of standard parts. Oh and you can use them in arrays for example drawing joists, spokes (radial arrays).

 

[phileakins]

Software

One thing to always remember whatever package you use is to use layers to separate and organise drawings and blocks for anything that is repeated. For those that are unfamiliar with blocks, they are used to create objects that are used for multiple identical items such as windows, desks, chairs etc, and whenever the master block is edited the change will propagate through all the instances of that object in the drawing - a huge time saver.

Ohhh yes, been there , done that, and have suffered heart failure when something declared as a block vanishes before your very eyes - just to find it in the library and having to put a copy back where it originally came from. And beware 'tidying' up the library and deleting the very block you have created, 'cos it deletes all the copies as well!  Got the t-shirt.....

Actually I find creating groups far easier (unless I need to carry them forward - in which case a block is required) which can be copied and pasted, then 'exploded' and edited.

I'm still a tyro though and there's loads of functionality I've never tried - or even heard of come to that.

Phil

PS When I bought my first copy of TurboCAD Deluxe I also received a very good little book called 'The Complete Guide to Learning and Using CAD' (Newton, Berry & Ferrie) which I would recommend seeking out. TurboCAD help is cr*p, this book helps fill the gaps in learning the software - unfortunately the menus system has changed since the version I had and a bit of lateral thinking is required,

 

[JimG]

Software

For most etched artwork and laser cutting Draftsight is all you really need.........

Cynric,

Just picking up on your message of a few months ago,  I have to agree that Draftsight is excellent.  It is so close to AutoCAD LT in operation that I suspect AutoDesk might go after them for a 'look and feel' claim. 

I recommended it as a free download in the S Scale Gazette this month and I thought I had better have more than a cursory look at it in case members start asking questions. 

So I've been doing a bit of drawing work for an etch - nothing too complicated - a first time attempt at a sprung axleguard setup for my Caledonian four wheelers,  and I hope I've got the layers and colours correct.  Kudos to designers of full blown loco kits - my grey matter has been well exercised with quite a simple axleguard etch. 

Jim.

 

[Pugsley]

Software

I'd add Alibre Design to the 3D list:
http://www.alibre.com/

They do a Personal Edition for £119 and a Pro version for £599 (plus VAT).  It's a nice package to use, and I've taken to it quite well.  The Personal Edition does have some restrictions, apparently it doesn't have the full 2D toolset, but I'm not sure exactly what it's missing.  You can import DXFs as sketches though, so can do all of the fancy stuff in a 2D program and transfer to Alibre for the 3D stuff.  It's definitely worth a look.

This mysterious floating buffer was done with it (rendered in Keyshot):

[attachimg=1]

 

[phileakins]

Software

I'm after some advice from you knowledgeable chaps.

Having bitten the bullet and upgraded to TurboCAD Deluxe 18 I'm trying to get to grips with 3d drawing, with a frustrating lack of progress!  I really do need a tutorial.

IMSI offer two flavours, one with a workbook and video snippets, the other a series of video lessons. Both are reasonably priced, forty quidish, but I don't want both and am having problems in choosing between them off the screen.

Anyone had experience of either of them, or point me in another direction?

Thanks ever so.

Phil

 

[28ten]

Software

I havent had experience with either, but generally, as long as they have a decent commentry,  I find videos much easier to follow

 

[phileakins]

Software

Thanks Guv - video CD on order.

Phil

 

[phileakins]

Software

Ok - DVD arrived, 220 individual snippets of antipodean (Australian) tutorial in a DVD called '3D Training for TurboCAD'.  Most of the individual lessons are for TurboCAD Deluxe and only a few (well marked) are for the pro version to get to the same drawing stage.

After several (make that four plus several partial and false starts) forays into the first section, I think I understand Workplanes - time will tell when I try to draw something where I want it, but I do feel rather more confident.  :

The second section is much easier on the brain, drawing a vice, lots of different techniques and I'm only a few lessons in!

So far I'm happy with the investment. I should say though - I'm using V18 of TC Deluxe. The tutorial is using an earlier version and there are differences in menu placings and functionality as  the later deluxe version has incorporated some of the earlier Pro functions.

Phil

 

[terry1956]

I was lucky to get a copy of solidworks a few years back. I had a go at turbo cad but it almost put me off cad design for ever. at the moment I have just fooled around with the solidworks program as I did not have a cnc machine. but last week I picked up a small mf70 milling machine complete with mach3 software. you need a 3rd program in between solidworks and mach 3 to make the g-code. I use meshcam. so last weekend I drew a design for my 5 inch gauge 57x pannier tank for the window surrounds. and the little mill machined them out in 1.5mm brass sheet for me. ok it took for ages for the machine to cut it out, but it was faster then doing it my hand. I am now working on a stirling single in solidworks and a few back head fittings for my o gauge king. michael

 

[Steph Dale]

Terry/Michael,
The problem is that any CAD software takes a while to get used to. I use TurboCAD with no problems at all, but it has taken a while to get my head around. Any CAD approach is different to other applications so if you've not used any CSD system before then, yes, it could be a struggle.
I should also add that the 'better' versions of CAD software are genuinely better and I recognise that the TurboCAD premier productivity tools do, genuinely, mean I can work faster than the standard version.
Steph

 

[Axlebox]

I haven't been on Thunderer for a while as I am very busy but I was drawn to(no pun intended)the Cad software details.
I came across a free software 3d Cad program Called "DesignSpark which is offered by RS Supplies.
You can see demos of this on Utube i.e..
The Best Free CAD Program - DesignSpark Mechanical
It's well work checking out. I'm still testing it and it's very impressive.

 

[terry1956]

For me solidworks just works, mind you at the price so it should. Linking this to meshcam to form the g code is fast and easy.also there is a lot more support available for solidworks then turbocad which as I said I found hard work. However what lets the side down is the small size of my machine.with its 6 inch work area I have had to make the stirling single frames in four sections. But its all fun, and I never get over watching the machine working away in the corner.