CAD software

[MattH]

Probably, I've had it ages, ever since someone posted a link up here about RS giving it away! Is there a newer version that I should avoid?

I'm on version 2 now and I feels like their trying to push it more as a cutdown version that you can then pay to upgrade.

 

[Kent]

I agree its easier to visualise things with a sketch, but then if you want anyone to do anything with it you have to pay them to make a drawing that the laser/plasma/mill/etc can understand. Do it yourself and you can easily make improvements/changes too!

Sketch start is OK but I am talking s proper scaled drawing
When your looking at the scale rule things get thought about
Like can I fit the torch in there or is that bar thick. Thin or strong enough
Shapes like radius and arch frames you can play with some
Random sweeping curves can be thought through using French curves
Some cad drawings especially those done by persons not practiced in making the object can be very poor
As a quick draw tool or spinning 3d shapes you can present cad is great though

 

[ronan]

I don't think you can beat the fusion 360 software, if you have issues or suggestions about it you can tell the developers and they will listen to you, and if its something worthwhile, they will change it. I noticed with the rs designspark, they seem to be looking to limit its capabilities, and looking to sell you add-ons.

 

[mike os]

I think you are overselling the free side of it mike. 100mb is nothing private storage, say I do 50 tool designs a year some of them are nearly a gig. In other words I wouldn't even be able to do a tenth of that tool design before it said no stop there. Yes you could make the files public but no-one in business would like this. So it is pretty well limited to training and or the home user.

Apart from it not being able to do what I need at this present time, for many it would probably be OK. I can't ever see me using a cloud base system - from a business point of view that is nuts. No internet - no work. More over I can not ever see how it would be as fast as a workstation for saving/actual function/feature speeds. Time is money, it's bad enough if you have to work on files stored on server (thankfully I don't).

thats not what the OP wanted though...

 

[Rocketman]

thats not what the OP wanted though...

Your probably right there mike os, but I don't know maybe he is planning something big and secret

 

[ross1993]

I use cad day in day out and I've just been playing about on onshape recently and I was pleasantly suprised . You don't have standard parts libraries for pipe flanges , structural members or any sheet metal capabilities but other than that it's great defiantly worth a look

 

[julianthegypsy]

I don't think you can beat the fusion 360 software, if you have issues or suggestions about it you can tell the developers and they will listen to you, and if its something worthwhile, they will change it. I noticed with the rs designspark, they seem to be looking to limit its capabilities, and looking to sell you add-ons.

Oh dear, maybe I ought to start looking for a replacement...

 

[IrishDave]

Looking forward to trying out some of these just need to get my room sorted out then set the PC back up again thanks everyone

 

[bigegg]

Autodesk inventor professional is free to students- know any skoolies?

 

[IrishDave]

I am at college at the moment so I'm going to see how it works with that

 

[mike os]

I am at college at the moment so I'm going to see how it works with that

just go to the autodesk site and find free software... students and sign up

 

[bigegg]

I don't think they do much checking - I'm doing a law degree and they accepted me!

 

[IrishDave]

Great its £100 for solid works if your a student so its not so bad

 

[graffian]

I use cad day in day out and I've just been playing about on onshape recently and I was pleasantly suprised . You don't have standard parts libraries for pipe flanges , structural members or any sheet metal capabilities but other than that it's great defiantly worth a look

It ran ok?
I had a play with onshape yesterday, I gave up as it was sluggish.

 

[ronan]

Great its £100 for solid works if your a student so its not so bad

Yes but the licence only lasts so long and then the software locks up.

 

[bigegg]

3 year licence on inventor - but you just have to download a new version after then

 

[awemawson]

I've just downloaded Fusion 360 and registered as a enthusiast. Zilch to pay for a fully fledged copy and just need to reaffirm my hobby status in 12 months. Even if using commercially it's a remarkably low cost for such a comprehensive package.

 

[ronan]

I've just downloaded Fusion 360 and registered as a enthusiast. Zilch to pay for a fully fledged copy and just need to reaffirm my hobby status in 12 months. Even if using commercially it's a remarkably low cost for such a comprehensive package.

Nyc cnc on youtube have good videos on this programme awemawson.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0IyK4ntgdPTTjsxjvyHPg

 

[Rocketman]

I don't think you can beat the fusion 360 software, if you have issues or suggestions about it you can tell the developers and they will listen to you, and if its something worthwhile, they will change it. I noticed with the rs designspark, they seem to be looking to limit its capabilities, and looking to sell you add-ons.

I can't think of any professional 3D software provider that doesn't do this.

Nyc cnc on youtube have good videos on this programme awemawson.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0IyK4ntgdPTTjsxjvyHPg

I watched one of the CNC/CAM videos and it was bad. Running the simulation showing problems and he cut it. Oh dear it didn't cut right, erh the simulation told you that before you cut it. And drafted cutters, you shouldn't need to use them anymore with decent CAM - dead cutter now days.

 

[ronan]

I can't think of any professional 3D software provider that doesn't do this.
I watched one of the CNC/CAM videos and it was bad. Running the simulation showing problems and he cut it. Oh dear it didn't cut right, erh the simulation told you that before you cut it. And drafted cutters, you shouldn't need to use them anymore with decent CAM - dead cutter now days.

"Professional" ? I thought designspark was meant to be a free programme for hobby users ? Now it seems they have changed their minds and want to start charging for certain extras.

As for nyc cnc, i don't bother with the cnc part of it as i have zero interest in cnc, its just the fusion 360 i look at.