LongRC

I want to get into designing model airplanes using CAD programs, but I’m having a hard time deciding which one to start with. It seems like AUTO CAD is the top CAD program out there, but it is very expensive.

Could someone recommend me any other programs for a beginner?

Derrick

CoosBayLumber

My Feedback: (1)

Most individuals do not go smack after the big one immediately upon trying to start up and operation. We are not talking just a few thousand dollars, but lottsa more than that. Presume that you have gone to CAD school already, and read many of the design books, and have already roughed out a few revisions to existing models now. Now you know what questions to ask, of some vendor, "will it do this...."

But, basically there is zero design softwares out there onna market right now. Many, many CAD softwares that will help in the drafting though. Most folks here use the grey matter between their ears, instead of the calculator.


Wm.

John 38

I have been using Viagrafix Modelcad for sometime and found it fairly easy to pick up. The print routine for large dwgs printed to any scale on any size paper is particularly good. I believe it is/was a cutdown version of something like autocad and it sold for less thaan $100 a long time ago. drawback is that it would not open DWG formats but would open DXF's. So I use the free copy of turbocad2d to read DWG than export to dxf for ModelCad. any plans I draw up, I save in modelcad format and also DXF.

Try a search on Viagrafix Modelcad and see what you can sort out ( I got lost tryiing to figure out who was selling what. ) but upshot is that Modelcad still appears to be available ( probably a much better version than mine which was written for windows 95 - but still works on XP ) freed trial downloads are available and price appears to be $55 - very reasonable. there is a discussion on modelcad 3000 on one of forums - do a search.

requiring more effort in learning - turbocad 14 - recent release and reasonably priced - see amazon.

I am not a draughtsman so these comments are based on my limited experience and my engineering attitude to learning on the job vs reading instructions.

hope this helps.

John

OffroadBEAR

My Feedback: (2)

If you are an engineering student, you can get a few solid modeling programs for a few hundred bucks as the "student edition," Pro-Engineer and SolidWorks offer student editions.

If you have access to this option, I would recommend SolidWorks. It's one of the best all around modeling programs available in terms of power and user-friendliness. It also does drawings and comes with an AutoCAD based drafting program.

If not, you can find a few AutoCAD based programs on the internet as freeware or for a small fee. One of these is progeCAD, I think. Search "free CAD" or something like that.

LesUyeda

I have been using AutoCAD since the days when it was a DOS program only, and I would not recommend it for such mundane tasks as model airplane design if you do not already know how to use it. It works for me because I am very familiar with it, but it is much too complex and powerful. The learning curve will be very steep.

Turbocad is probably a better choice, and it will open .dxf and .dwg.

Les

ppljr

My Feedback: (94)

Pick up a copy of TurboCad. It is fairly cheap and can do everything you need and more.

LongRC

Thanks for taken the time to reply. So far, all the information has been very helpfull to me. First, I'm going to look into the Turbo CAD program. Thanks again.

Derrick

dhal22

well, i bought turbocad 11.2 and i'm still trying to figure it out. i need a dvd tutorial or something.

david

Roguedog

If you know Windows fairly well shouldn't take you long to learn a cad app for doing RC planes.

A free 2d CAD program that writes autocad DWG and DXF is A9CAD. Kinda looks like autocad as well.

http://www.a9tech.com/download/

Here's another website that has links to several Free or trail version.

http://www.machinetoolhelp.com/Softw...e-CAD_CAM.html

CoosBayLumber

My Feedback: (1)

Mentioned above is one software which I have used as it was loaded on to the hard drive A-9 CAD about two-three years ago. My version spouts compatibility with near "everything" but delivers far from that.

It is in and out only compatible to Autocad version R-15 or ACAD 2000. Says other things, but out is only one way.

It FLAT does not understand how to work in Paperspace, which has been on Acad since middle 1990's. You get a big blank page when viewed, plus an error message.

It FLAT does not understand how to work with XREF'd drawings, which has been on Acad since middle 1990's. You get nearly a big blank page with notes all over indicating error messages.

They told me... "We are working on that feature, but it seldom is used, is difficult to incorporate into A-9 and will be a part of some future release".

Their A-9 drawing converter works good here, 'cept for the fact that the text tends to disappear after each use and the converted file goes off into obscurity on to the hard drive somepalce.

For simple drawing and conversions, I have been using Intellicad 98 which I got years ago off the bargain table at Comp-USA.




Now, to scare the pants off of you. Back when, I used to listen to a radio Computer call-in problem show based in Los Angeles. The host mentioned that a few software manufacturers were putting in "Me ONLY" bugs into their demo installation disks or downloads. Upon installation, the BUG would check to see if a few competing versions of software was also loaded onto your hard drive. It would then alter them, making them useless the very next time, or if you thought the new download product was OK and wanted to purchase it, then about one year later you got a message indicating to Uprade to latest edition. And next year, and next year. Apparently if you purchased the software by some box off the discount table it did not have the BUG. Only the trial versions did.

This was mentioned on the call-in show, the host mentioned a whole bunch of predatory software suppliers (one being a low cost CAD company) and only way to stop it was to install another hard drive. Congress got involved about 2001 or 2002 and a law was passed saying NO more. Which got held to, but iff'n you got one of these earlier versions still on your computer, then a new download may not work out.





Wm.

Hemikiller

My Feedback: (125)

I have used many CAD programs throughout the years, I learned on AutoCad 7 in Windows 3.1. I've also used many of the newer versions of AutoCad, spent many years using CadKey 99, we now use Solidworks 2008 at the office.

One of the friendliest 2D Cad programs I've used in years is UGS/Solidedge 2D. It has much of the feel and capabilities of Solidworks, but in a lightweight program that is FREE. I've been using it for a month at home, to modify files for my plans printing service. It works great for what I use it for and I'd say a beginner would have no problems picking it up quickly. You need to update the license every 30 days, but I just did mine and it took two minutes. I've had no problems with opening the usual DXF/DWG files. While working with the files I save them in it's native .DFT format, they open much faster. You can also embed raster files (.BMP, .JPG, .TIF) into a drawing. You can then trace over them to create a CAD copy of a scanned plan.

You can download it here:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.co...2d/index.shtml

Before you go spend money on a CAD program, give it a shot.....

carlosponti

My Feedback: (1)

I use QCad for 2d stuff at home. It runs on linux and is free, they have a windows version too.

MasterAlex

DeltaCAD is also a nice product that is free to try. [link=http://www.deltacad.com/]Linky[/link]

Roguedog

Derrick

I've had A9CAD on my computer for over a year now with out any bugs associated with it. That said don't let someone scare you out of trying something out.

Tubocad seems the to be the one most people here start out with. I've seen Turbocad as low as $29 up to $69.

Solidworks is the next one I see people talking about using on RCU. No idea on the cost of the full Solidworks or Autocad.

But too bad you not here in the USA. If you were you could go to a local community college and register for a Compter Lab class, $11 in California, and then buy Student versions of Autocad 2009 LT for $149 or Solidworks 2008 $139.

Hemikiller

My Feedback: (125)

Solidworks was $6,000 for a single license. Annual maintenance is around $1300. The SW student editions are only licensed for 2 years, IIRC. Autocad pricing is similar...

dreadnaut

My Feedback: (5)

I have been in negociation with both Solidworks, and AutoDesk over SW and Inventor. I can get both down to about $5k. Inventor has a slight edge since they will bundle it with AutoCAD 2009, and Revit for the same price. Like a couple of others have said, If you can get a student discount -about $350 for Inventor and ACAD- less for Solidworks- go for it.

I have tried TurboCAD and can say that it works. It will do most of the stuff you would ever want AutoCAD to do for you, but half as fast.

I am planning on starting my own consulting buisness. $5k is probably more than an amature would want to spend. My ''day job'' is in architecture, which is where AutoCAD's market has moved to in the last 10 yeara or so. That is why Inventor is atractive to me, as it gives me versatitlty to do Arch' stuff with AutoCAD, as well as manufacturing design, which is what Inventor and Solidworks are good for.

dhal22

i would pay someone to instruct me on how to use my turbocad.

david

Hemikiller

My Feedback: (125)

That's what we use Solidworks for, sheetmetal and machined parts design. I don't have any architectural experience, so I can't make any recommendation there. I did notice that the construction firm on LI where I bought one of my plotters was using an AutoDesk architectural product.


For you guys that want to try Solidworks, the student edition is $90, as long as you know someone in school

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/pr...idWorks/917379

That's an incredible deal for the capabilities of this software. Just a word of warning, you need lots of RAM to run SW effectively. figure on 1gig minimum, 2gig preferred, especially when you get into assemblies.

Steven S

There's a modelling program called MoI (Moment of Inspiration.) It's a very intuitive NURBS modeler, very similar to Rhino but more user-friendly. (I think the guy who created it worked on Rhino.) It $195.

http://moi3d.com/

Steve S.