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| How hard is it to use a cad program? |
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| quarterback:
--- Quote from: elvis on February 11, 2006, 05:59:33 pm ---Instead, try SketchUp: http://www.sketchup.com/ It's cheaper, easier, friendlier and more intuitive than any other product I've ever come across. --- End quote --- When I saw this thread started last night, I thought about mentioning SketchUp but wasn't sure it was a "real" CAD program, so I held off. I was going to mention it because it's the only one I've used and seemed to be easier than other programs out there. That being said, I still don't know how to use it :) It's one of those programs that I have to re-"learn" every time I use it because I don't use it very frequently and I've never really learned how to use it correctly. That being said, it is easy and intuitive enough for me to do whatever it is that I need to do. Again though, I wonder is SketchUp a "real" enough CAD program to prep work for a CNC? |
| elvis:
Sketchup is a little different to most programs in that it doesn't really enforce a particular file standard on you. You can build something in 3D, get yourself a nice 2D section from the 3D and export it to whatever data/file format your router needs. Import and export with Sketchup is a dream. It's strange to find a company that goes out of their way to make their package easy to use with other competing packages. You don't find that sort of thing often in the closed-source world. |
| muell67:
if you have everything sketched out and dimensioned and its only a couple of sheets I could just draw it for you. Unless your actually wanting to learn the program. |
| M3talhead:
--- Quote from: quarterback on February 11, 2006, 06:46:42 pm --- --- Quote from: elvis on February 11, 2006, 05:59:33 pm ---Instead, try SketchUp: http://www.sketchup.com/ It's cheaper, easier, friendlier and more intuitive than any other product I've ever come across. --- End quote --- When I saw this thread started last night, I thought about mentioning SketchUp but wasn't sure it was a "real" CAD program, so I held off. I was going to mention it because it's the only one I've used and seemed to be easier than other programs out there. That being said, I still don't know how to use it :) It's one of those programs that I have to re-"learn" every time I use it because I don't use it very frequently and I've never really learned how to use it correctly. That being said, it is easy and intuitive enough for me to do whatever it is that I need to do. Again though, I wonder is SketchUp a "real" enough CAD program to prep work for a CNC? --- End quote --- I did the exact same thing! I wasnt sure if I should mention SketchUp before, but now that the cat is out of the bag, I'll be one of the first to recommend going that route. Its a lot easier to learn, even with a manual. I tried AutoCAD but ended up ditching it about 6 months ago after realizing how steep the learning curve was. I ended up going with SketchUp and havent looked back. Granted, there are things that AutoCAD can do that SketchUp can't, but we're talking tools only NASA would need. For drawing MAME cabs, its more than flexible enough. |
| mccoy178:
Thanks for the great replys fellas! I believe that I may ask someone to draw it in CAD for me. I need to make my jukebox out of 1/4" cardboard first, make some very solid measurements, and create some in depth drawings. How do the drawings need to be made? Each individual piece, the whole thing, or what I believe to be obvious, a complete makeup of everything? You tell me what I need to provide, and I'll get it done. Thanks again fellas. |
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