Author Topic: Design software... (Read 3398 times)

gibble · « **on:** December 22, 2005, 03:48:37 pm »

I know a few of you design and render your cabs before building them, what programs are you using to do this?

Thanks.

c64rulez · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2005, 04:02:00 pm »

Dont laugh but I used MS Word. No rendering though

JonnyBoy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2005, 04:03:54 pm »

You could use autocad, that's what I used.

If you're feeling really hardcore you could learn to use a program like blender 3d. www.blender3d.org

Tahnok · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2005, 06:51:17 pm »

Blender isn't that hard to learn. But if you are going for 3D, I recommend Anim8or (both are free). The render for my new cab, Credit Button V2, was done in anim8or.

Personally, I use Microsoft Visio (not free) for my cab designing. I then put the design into Anim8or to see how it will look.

For the CP, I use my own, in-house

, software, CP Sketcher (also free). Go to the website in my signature to find it (www.CreditButton.net.tc).

rlemmon · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2005, 08:51:11 pm »

gibble. I have always used paint to do a rough mock up
Here are the current designs I'm working on. I'm not sure which theme I'll use but one of them will be build over the next few months

elvis · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2005, 10:57:21 pm »

Search the forums and I think you'll find this topic covered in depth several times over.

And in each one I say the same:

I use QCad because it's free. Although I recommend if people want to play with 3D without the insane learning curve of the big 3D packages like max/maya/blender, that they try SketchUp:
http://www.sketchup.com/

Easy 3D for the masses.

Free online tutorials here:
http://download.sketchup.com/downloads/training/tutorials50/Sketchup%20Video%20Tutorials.html

See for yourself how mind-numbingly easy it is to use.

Mark70 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2005, 06:56:44 am »

Gmax is the free software provided by (formerly Discreet, now Autodesk).

It's max's little brother. Same as 3dsmax and Viz, but no render engine. You'll only be able to model and see it in the viewport.

Maya Personal Learning Edition is free. It's a full blown version of Maya but has a limit on the image size you can render out, and it watermarks renderings.

The free version of Softimage XSI is called the XSI mod tool. It's specialized for modding Half Life 2, but I'm sure it's a reasonable facsimile to real XSI.

Wadeduck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2005, 07:24:15 am »

Well my program of choice is ProEngineer but that is because I use it all day at work. For the rest of the world that does not have access to expensive CAD packages, AutoCad or one of the Free rendering programs noted above should work out great.

gibble · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2005, 01:43:14 pm »

thanks for all the ideas guys

zudmsc · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2006, 05:55:57 pm »

Can you use Maya for CAD drawings? I thought it was for animation and 3D? Any samples of Maya drawings out there??

Michael

rdagger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2006, 05:58:23 pm »

DeleD LITE is a free 3D modeling software.

PoDunkMoFo · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:37:56 pm »

Hey Wadeduck,

Infreakin'credible avatar.

zudmsc · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2006, 10:38:49 am »

Does anyone use Maya software??

Taborious · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2006, 04:36:11 pm »

I can vouch for SketchUp. I download the program, watched the tutorials; very simple, and I was able to start designing within 2 hours. I'll post some pics later...

Taborious · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:39:39 pm »

Here is the start of my next project that I started with SketchUp. Very simple program and perfect for cab design...

Here's a link to the tutorials, very well done as well...
http://download.sketchup.com/downloads/training/tutorials50/Sketchup%20Video%20Tutorials.html

screaming · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2006, 10:43:01 am »

Sketchup is pretty cool.. but $500 beans to draw up an arcade box? yikes!

Sensei · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2006, 11:01:05 am »

I'd like to add to the vote for SketchUp

Quick and easy to learn.
I like the fact that it can add measurement indications on the plans and that it doesn't take days and several textbooks to learn.
After watching a couple of tutorials, you're good to go.

Oh, and yes a little pricey but they give you a few hours for free to see if you like it.

Just my $0.02 worth.
Good Luck

screaming · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2006, 11:23:15 am »

Oh, I'm definitely impressed. I just don't think it's worth $500 to use only once, or once a year for that matter.

deadkenndys1105 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:27:41 am »

I use the free Wings3D program. A lot of the people who work at mircosoft like to mess around with it. My cusnt that works at the head quarters doing sound and some graphic showed me it.

screaming · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2006, 11:15:17 am »

There's a difference between 3D programs and CAD programs. I can see the point of specing out your cabinet/control panel in a CAD program, but why spend the time mocking it up in a 3D program?

Taborious · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2006, 09:21:17 am »

Well for me; using SketchUp, you can pull out measuring lines to print a working doc once you're ready to put saw to board. Plus you can see what it will look like quickly and if there are any glaring issues. SketchUp is simple quick and has great tutorials, I was designing my new cab inside an hour of watching the tutorials. Biggest reason of all CAD programs have a HUGE learning curve and if you don't use everyday at work you simple have to put too much time into just doing the basics.


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