CoosBayLumber
Posts: 3047
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: San Bernardino Calif
Status: offline
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This subject has been beat up numerous times since about May. Don't base your needs upon a dollar figure, but moreover the intended (and future) needs, suitability and compatibility. CAD is not something loaded up on the computer which you want to show off to another, but something to get some work done with. I used Modelcad a few years ago under one of the 30 Trial options, and sent it back in less than a week. It just did not have the capabilities nor support for what I intended to do, plus there was a lack of compatibility with other systems, software and hardware. What wasn't explained at the time of purchase was that the system is set up for specific printers, and if you didn't have one, you didn't print out. Most annoying thing was the pallet size, and drawing size parameters. I had to scale everything to fall into the less than 34 inch size. I am thus down on anything which has "Model" in the title.
I have also used Corel Draw, and it is a fast way to show off something, but it is mainly based upon your hand placed linework and text. No compatibility of links between drawings which I feel is VERY important. If you ever plan to do three-views, you need this capability. Your linework also cannot be simply written to a disk and taken to a blueprint or graphic shop for plotting. They have to be set up similar to your thoughts in order to get a nice reproduceable. If you are on the one-sheet basis, it may be OK for you, but most readers think otherwise. It also works best with a PS printer or plotter.
I am moreover in favor of REAL CAD. CAD is not something loaded up on the computer which you want to show off to another, but something to get some work done with. If you want to communicate with others, you need to use software similar to what others use. If you want to draw up accurate plans and connect to industrial grade hardware, you need to use what others have. The TOY-CAD, Cheap-CAD and other little softwares do not have this capability unless their optional plug-ins are purchased. One of the software sellers required a $395 "ADD-on" which enabled you to be compatible with others.
I have loaded up, Autocad (by Autodesk), Autocad LT, Intellicad (by Visio), Key-CAD, Turbo-CAD, DesignCAD 2000, DesignCAD 3000 and a few $3 per disk softwares. To use each, you need to be trained, and each system is becoming more and more compatible with Autodesk, but then Autodesk is trying to distance itself from any other product. See if the new software is compatible with Autocad R-11 through R-14. Although there are newer versions now, most CAD operators readily refer to these titles, as do hardware servicemen. These release numbers are obsolete, but cost-wise it is better for you to locate software developed during this era as it is more compatibile with others and hardware. Expect to spend up to $500 for a full version of these, as the REAL CAD community still uses these and makes real dollars far in excess of the initial outlay.
Software drivers are very important in decision making, and specifying a "Windows Compatible" one or the $395 Add-on have to be taken into your consideration. Intellicad 98 can be obtained for around $100 or less, it has a pen plotter and a Windows driver, just as the Autodesk products do. It has a backdate filter in which you can export to an earlier version of Autocad. Eventially, you will wander over to eBay and bid upon a plotter in your area for less than $100 and wonder how to connect. Autodesk makes theirown ADI drivers and they only work within. Those $100 plotters will work in Autocad and Intellicad and some main frame systems, but will not work in CorelDraw, and several of the late model CAD softwares. A new 36" by 60" plotter will cost you about $14,000 now to be compatible with Windows XP, but a used $100 older one will only work with older software. I have a laptop computer loaded up with a multi-boot system and an umbilical cord. It operates under several operating systems as the CNC mill only understands DOS5, the old pen plotter understands DOS6.2, the faster plotter runs out of Windows 3.1, the laser cutter with only work on Windows 95/98. Some smarty will tell you he runs on Windows XP, but that software costs a whole lot less than a ten year old 1/2 million dollar CNC 6 axis mill and all the tooling to upgrade and get the same results.
You are basically going to use twelve commands over and over again. Items within Autocad, TurboCAD and Intellicad that get used quite often are the ModelSpace/PaperSpace and the XREF/Insert commands. These enable you to draw the sideview to a fuselage using full sized dimensions, then pull that drawing into yet another drawing called PLAN. The separate drawings are automatically scaled to fit the page size, and you can then shift and rotate them around as one object. If CheapCAD does not offer these features, then you are limiting your compatibility. Autocad R-14 and Intellicad will permit you to insert scanned images, then manupulate and trace over.
In respect to a question, one of the other sneaky little items not being mentioned here is that you need a CAD software which will make an output file in the original pen plotter HP-GL or PCI languages if you want to convert the linework into G-code for CNC equipment, or laser cutting language. This is not being included in softwares which operate under Windows XP. Go to the Autodesk site, CADALOG, CADINFO.net, Lorand.net and read up on concerns of others and find free conversion programs for HP-GL. Autodesk has thousands of inquieries everyday in their forums as to problems/solutions. Google has an Intellicad 98/2000 forum, as well as others like Turbo-CAD and Key-CAD. Best thing is to establish your aims, read up before purchase, and to stick with whatever you purchase.
I had a reader here send me a PM three months ago as to a plotter problems. He bought a Calcomp 1043 for about $10 on eBay and could not get it to run. He had wrong everything. I directed him to professional sites, he dumped the toy software, bought real CAD software and is now making large sized plans at home using the $10 plotter that cost $10,000 in 1980.
Wm.
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CAD Preference personal poll - 
