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Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: Santoro on May 05, 2004, 04:05:13 pm

Title: Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: Santoro on May 05, 2004, 04:05:13 pm
I want to model a new cab.  What do you all use?  Are there any cheap/free alternatives to AutoCAD?

Googled a bit but didn't find much.

Thanks
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: SirPoonga on May 05, 2004, 05:13:07 pm
There's a free version of turbocad out there somewhere.  There's eval vesions of stuff too.
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: Lilwolf on May 06, 2004, 03:35:49 pm
Theres also graph paper...

btw.. I have the free version of turbocad.  Its the 2d version.

Still good for quick stuff.  
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: Santoro on May 06, 2004, 09:20:40 pm
Theres also graph paper...


Yeah I've got it on graph paper.  I was interested in seeing a 3d model before taking the plunge.
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: Setabs on May 08, 2004, 02:21:21 am
The oxymoron isn't "cheap cad software" it's "cheap cad software that's easy to use."  I have tried my hand at Turbocad but I didn't like it. So I went with the old perspective view on graph paper.  I used autucad in high school and it just so much more than turbocad.
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: DaveJ-UK on May 08, 2004, 09:38:10 am
P2P? BT is probably best...
Title: Re:Is "Cheap CAD Software" an Oxymoron?
Post by: Matt, GoC on May 09, 2004, 11:49:35 pm
QCad is pretty cool.  I used it to design the sides of my cab, and since it saves natively in Autocad's .dxf file format, a guy at work was able to trans-mogrify it into code that runs on a CNC router that I run!  I got all my side panels cut in 10 minutes.  Very highly recommend it.  The demo is fully functional, and after the 10 min time limit expires, it lets you save your work, so you can reload the program.  The full version is only about $30 and can be instantly downloaded after you buy it(the link stays active for a year). You also can get tons of insertible items like electronic components and such for free!
http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html (http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html)
A scroll wheel mouse is highly recommended, BTW.
Hope this helps ;) .