CAD Program???

[jsimmons]

Does anyone here use a CAD program to visualize their custom chassis creations? If so, which one(s) would you recommend? I'm looking for something that's free/almost free. I just downloaded Google SketchUp, but haven't installed it yet. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.

[Aaronw]

  On 5/9/2011 at 10:55 PM, jsimmons said:

Does anyone here use a CAD program to visualize their custom chassis creations? If so, which one(s) would you recommend? I'm looking for something that's free/almost free. I just downloaded Google SketchUp, but haven't installed it yet. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.

I downloaded Google Sketchup last year and have been playing with it. It does a pretty nice job for a free program.

Here is a stepvan I drew up with it.

[Trae]

I have a few times. For the one below, I used AutoSketch, which is kind of a stripped-down version of AutoCAD. Not free, but you can find "old" versions on eBay pretty cheap.

For this one, after I completed the design, I printed it to scale on plain white paper. I then laminated the sheets and used them as templates to build it in sections. The plastic weld didn't affect the lamination, so I could build right on top of the templates.

[Mooneyzs]

I personally use SolidWorks..... Another one out there is Solid Edge which is similar to solidworks. but both you have to pay for. You could look into student editions but may be limited to functions you can do and I just checked on SolidWorks and its 99 bucks and its only a 12 month licence. As others have mentioned Google Sketch up is free and I am sure there are other free ones. If I can think of others I will let you know, I am drawing a blank right now.

Here is a shot of some disk brakes I was drawing up in SolidWorks for a funny car build I am currently working on..

[SuperStockAndy]

I use Sketchup too, and I love it!

[charlie8575]

I use a drafting board and templates. Less frustrating than a computer.

A small laptop drafting board is easy to find; and a good set of square, round and odd-ball shaped templates, along with a French curve, right and 30/60/90 triangles will cost you less and give you an opportunity to pick up a new skill. A roll of drafting tape and 11x17 drawing paper will finish off the set. Use a 2-H pencil and white vinyl eraser; that'll give you good results under most circumstances. Lastly, pick up a drafting book, which is useful for drawn or computer drawing. You can get one at a used bookstore for around $10-15.

The other major advantage is that you can draw things out to actual size, with a scale ruler. Once on the paper, you can cover over the drawing with wax paper, and, using straight pins pinning the papers to a piece of cork, you can use it as a pattern to custom-construct your frames or other objects.

Charlie Larkin

[Trae]

  On 5/10/2011 at 2:06 PM, Mooneyzs said:

Here is a shot of some disk brakes I was drawing up in SolidWorks for a funny car build I am currently working on..

Nice work!

I've done some 3D stuff in both SolidWorks and Inventor. Here's a couple of things for my current project:

Edited May 11, 2011 by Trae

[spad007]

You could try G-Max i hate it but you might like it. 3Ds max is Another one but expensive and a real steep learning curve and one must own a real good computer if you render what you make.

i use Maya 9 and i got it on eBay there are 500 different ways to use Max or Maya for each thing you do. takes time and some classes to even start .

look what can be done here just one of hundreds ► http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=43&t=855637&page=1&pp=15

http://www.turbosquid.com/Forum/Index.cfm For Gmax.

http://www.cnczone.com/ for info as to cad to machine code.

[Len Woodruff]

Very interesting!

[Evilmonkeyman]

Never used it for personal projects, but I work with Catia daily and Vericut as well. I myself can only build simple stuff in Catia. I am the documentation technician at a tier 1 aerospace parts manufacturing and assembling plant. Catia is far from cheap though!

[ewaskew]

  On 5/11/2011 at 5:49 AM, charlie8575 said:

I use a drafting board and templates. Less frustrating than a computer.

A small laptop drafting board is easy to find; and a good set of square, round and odd-ball shaped templates, along with a French curve, right and 30/60/90 triangles will cost you less and give you an opportunity to pick up a new skill. A roll of drafting tape and 11x17 drawing paper will finish off the set. Use a 2-H pencil and white vinyl eraser; that'll give you good results under most circumstances. Lastly, pick up a drafting book, which is useful for drawn or computer drawing. You can get one at a used bookstore for around $10-15.

The other major advantage is that you can draw things out to actual size, with a scale ruler. Once on the paper, you can cover over the drawing with wax paper, and, using straight pins pinning the papers to a piece of cork, you can use it as a pattern to custom-construct your frames or other objects.

Charlie Larkin

Old School works every time.