Design Software

[arcadeboy0000]

Hey. I am looking for some opinions on design software. Has anyone had luck using cad/modeling programs to lay out their projects? I am creating a racing cockpit cabinet and would really like to factor in all the components before I start cutting. I would like to be able to take the exact dimensions of the components I have (like TV, seat, speakers, xbox, etc.) and include them in the design so I know how to cut the wood exactly. I think it would be pretty easy for me to learn one of the software packages, but picking the right one is the hard part. So please, hit me up with some suggestions!

[Samstag]

If you're a student, I highly recommend Solidworks.  I used it to design some of the more difficult parts of my control panel.  It saved me a lot of work and wasted materials since I was able to see what wasn't going to work before I started cutting.

If you're not a student, it's a bit more expensive.

[wintermute]

I use autocad to design my stuff.  I have tried solidworks but I had a lot of trouble designing more than one piece without getting all screwed up.  In autocad I can draw every piece of wood in the cab in 3d, and figure out how much wood I need, sizes, even the look beforehand.  However I have a lot more experience with autocad than I do with solidwords, so it might just be because I don't know what I'm doing in solidworks.

[arcadeboy0000]

How is the learning curve in autocad? Will it take me a 300 page book to be able to map this out or will a few basic concepts allow me to create the shell I want?

[AlanS17]

I've always used AutoCAD, but it's expensive, and I don't know where to get it for cheap. I had it through school, but not anymore.

[wintermute]

Well, if you've never used any CAD software before, it will probably be confusing when you first use it.  I would say after 5-10 hours of messing with it, you will be able to produce something useful.  I really probably don't use all the functions like a REAL drafter might, to be super efficient.  If you want to do 3D, you'll need to get a handle on the difference between the "view coordinate system" and your "drawing coordinate system"  It's a weird idea but makes sense after a while.  Other than that, all I do is make basic shapes, like boxes, circles, triangles, then I extrude them to become solid parts.   If you end up going with Autocad I'd be glad to PM you with a little more how-to to get you started.  There are also some tutorials in the help menu I think.

enjoy

wm