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Inexpensive CAD Software

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JLuckey(at)pacbell.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:14 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Several months ago, I think I saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software.    

   

All I really need is some simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a panel.    

   

I used to use TurboCAD (~5-7 years ago).  What’s the hot ticket today?  

   

   

-Jeff  

   

       [quote][b]

gerry.vandyk(at)shaw.ca
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Perhaps overkill, but Draftsight might be the ticket for you.



http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/



Gerry

---

mrspudandcompany(at)veriz
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:09 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Several months ago, I think I saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software.    

   

All I really need is some simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a panel.    

   

I used to use TurboCAD (~5-7 years ago).  What’s the hot ticket today?  

   

   

-Jeff  

   [quote]   I have been using TurboCad with good results.  It’s available for cheap on Ebay.  DoubleCad is free on the internet, but I have no experience with it.  Believe it is from the same company that does TurboCad. Roger[b]

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:36 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

At 12:14 PM 6/13/2012, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		   Several months ago, I think I saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software.  

  

 All I really need is some simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a panel.  

  

 I used to use TurboCAD (~5-7 years ago).  What’s the hot ticket today? 	


    I think TurboCAD rev7 or later will also open, edit,

    save and print AutoCAD drawings which are posted

    on my website. No doubt there are others. You can

    get a really good deal on TurboCAD 8 right now

    on eBay



  http://tinyurl.com/bqwgnx2



 

   Bob . . .    [quote][b]

larkrv10(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Jeff, I bought Turbo Cad (version 15 I think) for less than $15.  Asked my buddy who's a Cad manager in a large engineering Co to teach me how to use it.  He didn't like Turbo Cad, way too complex for basic line drawings for aircraft schematics.  He suggested "Smart Draw".  Search the web  and give it a try.  It's a lot more user friendly.

  

Rick

RV10 #40956 

Southampton, Ont

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 1:14 PM, Jeff Luckey <JLuckey(at)pacbell.net (JLuckey(at)pacbell.net)> wrote:

 [quote]             

Several months ago, I think I saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software.    

   

All I really need is some simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a panel.    

   

I used to use TurboCAD (~5-7 years ago).  What’s the hot ticket today?  

   

   

-Jeff  

   

        	  Quote: 	
		  



ist" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

cdnch701builder

Joined: 21 Aug 2010
Posts: 21
Location: Canada

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:00 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Try DeltaCad... it is simple and very easy to use!  I have been using it for years!  http://www.deltacad.com/  I have a number of CAD programs... including TurboCad, DesignCad, etc and DeltaCad I find is very easy and not complicated to use...  Try the 30 day free demo... that will give you a good idea at how simple to use!  Also keep in mind this is 2D... not 3D.

  

 Ron

 :--)> Several

 :--)> months ago, I think I saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software. 

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> All I

 :--)> really need is some simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a

 :--)> panel. 

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> I

 :--)> used to use TurboCAD (~5-7 years ago).  What’s the hot ticket today?

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> -Jeff

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)>        - The

 :--)> AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

 :--)> such as List Chat,

  href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List">http://www.matr:--)>             -

 :--)> MATRONICS WEB FORUMS -

  -->

 :--)> http://forums.matronics.com:--)>           -

 :--)> List Contribution Web                     -->

 :--)> http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 :--)>   [quote][b]

_________________
cdnch701builder

sprocket(at)vx-aviation.c
Guest

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:59 pm Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

This is as close to a Calma editor that Iâ€™ve found.  I like the  precision and ability to enter coordinate information directly.  A definite  trip in the way-back machine!  Once I got my mind back in the object  select:action:execute model, it all came back to me.

  

 For those who donâ€™t know what a Calma is, it was one of the first CAD tools  for designing integrated circuits.  It ran on a Data General Nova computer  and had custom color high resolution displays, keyboards and tablets.   Because of the low contrast of the displays, it was customary to have no lights  on and tents around the workstations to eliminate glare.  After 8 to 12  hours a day x several months on one of these, one got a little pasty in  complexion... kind of like working in the hangar all day.

  

 Nice tip.

  

 Thx,

 Vern

  

   From: cdnch701builder (cdnch701(at)mts.net) 

 Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 7:55 AM

 To: Jeff Luckey (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com) 

 Subject: Re: Inexpensive CAD  Software

  



  Try DeltaCad... it is simple and very easy to  use!  I have been using it for years!  http://www.deltacad.com/  I have a  number of CAD programs... including TurboCad, DesignCad, etc and DeltaCad I find  is very easy and not complicated to use...  Try the 30 day free demo...  that will give you a good idea at how simple to use!  Also keep in mind  this is 2D... not 3D.

  

 Ron

 :--)> Several

 :--)> months ago, I think I  saw some traffic on this list about inexpensive CAD software. 

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> All I

 :--)> really need is some  simple line-drawing & dimensioning capabilities to layout a

 :--)> panel. 

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> I

 :--)> used to use TurboCAD  (~5-7 years ago).  WhatÂ’s the hot ticket today?

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)> -Jeff

 :--)>

 :--)>

 :--)>         - The

 :--)> AeroElectric-List Email  Forum -

 :--)> such as List  Chat,

href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List">http://www.matr   :--)>              -

 :--)> MATRONICS WEB FORUMS  -

-->  

 :--)> http://forums.matronics.com  :--)>            -

 :--)> List Contribution  Web                      -->

 :--)> http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 :--)>  	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c

	
 

No virus found in this  message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 2012.0.2180 / Virus  Database: 2433/5069 - Release Date:  06/14/12





   [quote][b]

dlj04(at)josephson.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:41 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD software

We have used Autocad LT for years and it just works, but have been 

looking for something more recent, just because some of our contractors 

and customers send us files too new for our LT to read. I was very 

pleasantly surprised with nanoCAD which seems to be a functional clone 

of recent Autocad. It's from Russia and is free. Their business model 

seems to be that the basic program is free but they have various other 

add-on tools for sale. I haven't evaluated it closely yet but it looks 

promising.



Another possibility is DraftSight from Dassault Systems (yes, the 

Dassault that makes airplanes and owns SolidWorks). It's also free, for 

Mac, Windows and soon Linux.

jloram

Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Posts: 54
Location: United States

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:44 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD software

And then there's Siemens' Solid Edge Drafting, the 2D version of their super

expensive 3D Solid Edge PLM software.

It's free: 



http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free

2d/



-john-

 



[quote] --

henador_titzoff(at)yahoo.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:34 pm Post subject: Inexpensive CAD software

Are nanoCAD, DraughtSight and Solid Edge Drafting files compatible with latest and greatest AutoCAD files?  How easy or hard is it to migrate between all of these CAD packages?



Henador Titzoff



--- On Fri, 6/15/12, John Loram <johnl(at)loram.org> wrote:

[quote]

From: John Loram <johnl(at)loram.org>

Subject: RE: Re: Inexpensive CAD software

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Friday, June 15, 2012, 11:26 AM



--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "John Loram" <[url=/mc/compose?to=johnl(at)loram.org]johnl(at)loram.org[/url]>



And then there's Siemens' Solid Edge Drafting, the 2D version of their super

expensive 3D Solid  Edge PLM software.

It's free: 



http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free

2d/



-john-

 



[quote] --

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:21 pm Post subject: Inexpensive CAD software

At 04:21 PM 6/15/2012, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Are nanoCAD, DraughtSight and Solid Edge Drafting files compatible 

with latest and greatest AutoCAD files?  How easy or hard is it to 

migrate between all of these CAD packages?



Henador Titzoff


	




   I just downloaded and installed the nanoCAD program. Installation

   was seamless. It has the look and feel of contemporary AutoCAD

   programs. Opens, edits, prints and saves my .dwg AutoCAD files.



   Fantastic value for the price . . . $0.



   Bob . . .

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1927
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:17 am Post subject: Re: Inexpensive CAD Software

I made drawings using Solid Edge.  Months later when I tried to open the drawings, Solid Edge said that my license had expired.  It would not let me look at my drawings unless I renewed my license (free).  This happened again the following year.

 I got to thinking, what will happen if Solid Edge changes their licensing policy or if they go out of business?  I will not be able to access my drawings.  So I switched to TurboCad, although it is not very intuitive.  I prefer programs that are easy to learn without having to read the help files.

Joe

_________________
Joe Gores

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1927
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Inexpensive CAD Software

I downloaded nanoCAD.  After my experience with Solid Edge, I decided to read the nanoCAD License Agreement instead of blindly accepting it.

 	  Quote: 	
		  Periodic activation may be required by Licensee in order to continue use of the Licensed Program(s). Use of the Licensed Program(s) may be interrupted until necessary activation steps are taken by Licensee. 	


I do not want to be inconvenienced by periodic registrations.

_________________
Joe Gores

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

At 04:17 AM 6/16/2012, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I made drawings using Solid Edge.  Months later when I tried to open 

the drawings, Solid Edge said that my license had expired.  It would 

not let me look at my drawings unless I renewed my license 

(free).  This happened again the following year.

  I got to thinking, what will happen if Solid Edge changes their 

 licensing policy or if they go out of business?  I will not be able 

 to access my drawings.  So I switched to TurboCad, although it is 

 not very intuitive.  I prefer programs that are easy to learn 

 without having to read the help files.

Joe


	


   Then microCAD (or any of the AutoCADS) are

   two excellent solutions. They understand English.

   If you want to draw a line say "line<cr>" and

   then enter a from (intersection, nearest, tangent

   midpoint, etc) then a to (same constellation of

   options) while guiding to those terminations with

   the mouse.



   Further, AutoCAD and nanoCAD have .pgp 'overlay' files

   that you can edit with an ordinary text editor like

   notepad.



A,         *ARC

AA,        *AREA

AL,        *ALIGN

AR,        *ARRAY

BL,        *BLOCK

BR,        *BREAK

CI,        *CIRCLE

C,         *CHANGE

CH,        *CHAMFER

CO,        *COPY

D,         *DIMSTYLE

DDI,       *DIMDIAMETER

DED,       *DIMEDIT

DI,        *DIST

DT,        *DTEXT

E,         *ERASE

ED,        *DDEDIT

EL,        *ELLIPSE

EXIT,      *QUIT

F,         *FILLET

H,         *HATCH

I,         *INSERT

L,         *LINE

LA,        *LAYER

LE,        *QLEADER

LI,        *LIST

LT,        *LINETYPE

LTS,       *LTSCALE

M,         *MOVE

MI,        *MIRROR

O,         *OSNAP

P,         *PAN

PE,        *PEDIT

PL,        *PLINE

PG,        *POLYGON

PU,        *PURGE

R,         *REDRAW

RE,        *REGEN

RA,        *RECTANGLE

RO,        *ROTATE

S,         *STRETCH

SO,        *SOLID

T,         *TRIM

V,         *VIEW

WB,        *WBLOCK

XP,        *EXPLODE

XT,         *EXTEND

Z,         *ZOOM



  When you enter the short command, the cad program

  interprets it for the full command. I found

  that I could draw left-handed with the mouse

  while one-hand typing with the right and

  go through the 'dance moves' with greater

  rapidity than by accessing all those little

  tool-bar boxes (most of which I didn't need/

  use). In fact, I can turn all the tool-bars off

  and have the full, un-clutered screen to work

  on.



  Aside from the isometric drawings I made for

  illustrating the 'Connection, I've not found a

  strong need for 3d drawings. If you need that

  capability, I'm not a good source for advise.



  Your personal .pgp file becomes a good teaching

  tool too. Out of hundreds of commands that the

  CAD program understands, editing your overlay file

  down to those you use 99% of the time make the .pgp

  file a sort of syllabus for a short course in

  AutoCAD. Search the 1-inch thick book of 1000

  commands for how these few work . . . you'll have

  99% of your dance moves learned in a very

  short time.



  In fact, I would recommend that anyone wanting to

  get their feet wet in either AutoCAD or microCAD

  cut-n-paste the list above into a new version of

  a .pgp file and print a paper copy too. Hang it

  on the wall behind your monitor as a reference

  list. This will steepen your learning curve

  greatly. You can always add/delete commands to

  customize the list to your own needs but I'm

  betting that becoming proficient in those

  listed will get you up to speed very quickly.



  Turning off all the tool bars and talking to

  the program in 'English' is about as intuitive

  as you can get. Over the years I've spent thousands

  of dollars of my boss's money on AutoCAD and sundry

  upgrades. nanoCAD now does everything that cost

  us the price of a good used car . . . for free.

  Interestingly enough, NONE of those upgrades added

  features that I needed for my work. Everything

  I do today can be done in say AutoCAD R10 for

  DOS!



  There may be other applications that are as

  intuitive and/or attractively priced . . . don't

  know. But I can tell you that nanoCAD is an

  exceedingly good value and easy to learn if you

  start with the few dozen commands I listed

  above.

   Bob . . .

jloram

Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Posts: 54
Location: United States

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD software

Solid Edge has extensive import/export capabilities, (largely  untested by me).

  

 -john-



 [quote]         From:    owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com    [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of    Henador Titzoff

Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 2:22    PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE:    Re: Inexpensive CAD software

   

                    Are nanoCAD, DraughtSight and Solid Edge Drafting files          compatible with latest and greatest AutoCAD files?  How easy or          hard is it to migrate between all of these CAD packages?



Henador          Titzoff



 	  Quote: 	
		  



	
[b]

jloram

Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Posts: 54
Location: United States

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: Inexpensive CAD Software

Annoying, isn't? I been renewing for years now 'cause I like the features.

Fortunately their file format can be imported by other CAD programs.



-john- 



[quote] --

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