2D software for newbe

[Jonathan]

Students and some other people can get a free version of autocad:
Autodesk Education Community

[njhussey]

I did a Mech Eng degree so used Autocad and this is pretty similar (although they do call some functions different things) but if you've go no experience then, as with anything I guess, it can be a bit of a steep learning curve. It's by the people who do Solidworks and there are tutorials on the web, they do a 186 page getting started PDF which does what it says on the tin!

DraftSight Functionality Tutorial Videos - Dassault Systèmes

http://www.3ds.com/fileadmin/PRODUCT...RTED-GUIDE.pdf

[Musht]

Nearly newbies view so far .... 2/2.5D toolpath generation, CamBam is pretty good, full flavour version runs for 40 starts before needing purchase , but will sit miinmised happily.

Inkscape is free vector based drawing with good inbuilt bitmap tracing from Portrace

Inkscape. Draw Freely.

DXF export improved with

Big Blue Saw - Big Blue Saw's DXF Export For Inkscape

Engraving and V Carving F-Engrave:

http://home.comcast.net/~sskroch/Fengrave/fengrave.html

For more engineering drawing, ViaCad 2D/3D,not free , good DXF export in 2d and Sketchuo style push/pull tool for 3D

ViaCAD 2D/3D | Consumer CAD Software | PunchCAD

Site worth looking around

cnc4free.org homepage

[Ricardoco]

Give me a basic design idea and i will show you how quick it can do the trick some measurements of a fictional part will do...

Rick

[martin54]

Thanks Rick, have to be honest, I wasn't really looking at 3D software as I wasn't sure it would be of much use to me so as there is quite a big difference in price I just stuck with the 2D/2.5D stuff.

Like you say there is nothing to be lost by having a look & as I am not in a big rush just now i can take a bit of time to look at it & see how I get on with it.

[Ricardoco]

Hey no problem, i dont work for them or anything i was just so impressed with the software...



Have a screen shot of a simulation cut anyhow lol

Rick

[martin54]

Hey no problem, i dont work for them or anything i was just so impressed with the software...



Have a screen shot of a simulation cut anyhow lol

Rick

Rick you need to open the kerning up on that a bit plus it needs a bit more negative space lol

[Ricardoco]

Rick you need to open the kerning up on that a bit plus it needs a bit more negative space lol

LOL ... Only ten mins from concept to G-Code, mistakes are to be expected.....

Rick

[Jonathan]

The trial version limits you to only cutting their sample files:

'With the trial versions of the software you can cut sample files on your own machine'

LOL ... Only ten mins from concept to G-Code, mistakes are to be expected.....

10 minutes for that - you need to increase your pointer speed

[martin54]

The trial version limits you to only cutting their sample files:

'With the trial versions of the software you can cut sample files on your own machine'



10 minutes for that - you need to increase your pointer speed

Thanks Jonathan, bit like the signmaking software I have then, can design anything I want but can't cut it.

10 mins isn't bad, don't forget that included logging out the forum, going to the workshop (call of nature on the way) starting the workshop computer, creating the file, saving it to a memory stick, shutting down the workshop computer, back to the house, logging back in to the forum & uploading the file.