Hi guys and gals. I new here and have bounced from various hobbies over the years but am now getting into woodworking. Bought a few nice tools to start with and still have all my fingers and toes todate. I really like this but also like designing. and I read the articles concerning CAD drawing in the Oct. Fine Woodworking. Just wondering if there are any other opions and recommendations amounst the group. Blessed!
I have tried to edit this. I selected my member name as Blessed not Buzz. Buzz was taked….hope I didn’t step on Buzz’s toes.
Now its telling me that I’m Buzz. Who knows just looking for some answers to some questions. Buzz , Blessed or maybe Blessed Buzz!!!!
Edited 11/8/2004 7:57 pm ET by Buzz
Edited 11/8/2004 8:17 pm ET by Buzz
Replies
Hello Buzz, I'm currently designing a corner cab in the Gallery forum. You are welcome to give your input there. This is a great place to learn. Welcome. Bill
Buzz .... or Blessed - whichever -
I'm a 20 year veteran with AutoCAD, had my own consulting business for the last 8 years before retireing doing construction detailing and architecture. Please understand - I think computer *aided* design is great. I would never go back to the drawing board. But that said, also understand that CAD will not enhance anyone's design abilities or talent.
I would not recommend AutoCAD to anyone in this group. It's too expensive. The learning curve is pretty steep for anyone not already well versed in vector graphics. There are plenty of low cost CAD programs that offer the greater part of the functionality that AutoCAD offers. You'll get, no doubt many good replies to your query but one that seldom gets mentioned is IntelliCAD. You can browse the features and dowload a trial version off their web site at http://www.cadopia.com. One exciting feature I just noticed on their site is that they will soon be bundling McNeel & Assoc.'s Rhino NURBS modeler with their IntellicCAD product. Rhino is an extremely powerful free-form modeler that allows creation of just about anything your mind can imagine.
The downloadable version and/or the CD of IntelliCAD is only $US149.00. When you consider that it offers full AutoCAD file compatibility and (almost) all the features of AutoCAD that runs several thousand dollars, it's something of a steal!
I have a buddy that uses and swears by a program called Canvas but I've never used it. Due to the fact that this buddy isn't a drafter or designer by profession it would seem to indicate that it's pretty easy to learn.
There's a rather large market with respect to CAD software .... but this is about all I can offer.
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
I'll vote with Dennis on AutoCad. I've been using AutoCad LT for about 10 years and used some other CAD programs before that. It's a fantastic program but it has a very steep learning curve and it's way too expensive to use for a hobby - unless you've recently hit the lottery. I'll also agree with the statement that no CAD program will make someone a designer..........CAD just makes it much easier to transfer that image in your head onto a piece of paper without eraser marks or whiteout - lol.
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