mbohuntr
Platinum Member
Anyone got one? I've got a decent grapple idea, but need some kinematics to see how it will move.
Free and easy CAD program?
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RedNeckRacin
Elite Member
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Draftsight is a decent free cad program
mikefromnh
Gold Member
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Did you try sketchup?
Redneck in training
Elite Member
SketchUp is confusing. The free version comes with 30 day SketchUp Pro trial. Ignore the request for licence nad you will have the free version.
bmaverick
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There are some good $99 CAD programs out there that even have file translators for machine shops to read the data into the CNC machines. So, if you can design it well in CAD, they can make the parts. ViaCAD is one of them.
I use SolidWorks 2008. It's a bit overkill for designing Ag tractor equipment.
The Draftsight is plain 2D like the early (old) AutoCAD. 3D really helps so you can visualize parts and assemblies easier with nearly no chances of parts not fitting together like 2D does. Thus, Draftsight is very limited.
For the ability to do 3D, then the OpenSource FreeCAD is the best value. FreeCAD: An Open Source parametric 3D CAD modeler FreeCAD even has the translators. A big plus doing the 3D to part for home or hobby use. Even making drawings with tolerance clearances are easy.
I use SolidWorks 2008. It's a bit overkill for designing Ag tractor equipment.
The Draftsight is plain 2D like the early (old) AutoCAD. 3D really helps so you can visualize parts and assemblies easier with nearly no chances of parts not fitting together like 2D does. Thus, Draftsight is very limited.
For the ability to do 3D, then the OpenSource FreeCAD is the best value. FreeCAD: An Open Source parametric 3D CAD modeler FreeCAD even has the translators. A big plus doing the 3D to part for home or hobby use. Even making drawings with tolerance clearances are easy.
Colonel Monk
Silver Member
Have any of you used any commercial CAD programs before? Wondering how the free CADs rate up, and whether or not they offer basic assembly functionality and parametric mates you can use to prototype basic motion.
I'm an engineer so CAD is my bread and butter, it's what I do about half of every day. I've meant to try SketchUp a few times and I've seen some really cool screen grabs of some pretty cool stuff that was modeled with it.
I tried it myself once, but I gotta admit, after using the ones I've used for so long, the novelty of learning CAD is so far gone, I just couldn't hang in there long enough to give it a fair shake.
I've always found most kinematic packages (and CADs that have them) to be a little contrived. It's probably time that I give them a fair shake once again, as I was disgusted about 10 years ago with the wonky nature of them and mostly gave up.
I have used SolidWorks most of all, and with simple mates you can click/drag a part which pivots and from that you can learn just about everything you need to know about it's motion. It allows you to figure out your cyl strokes just right, pivot points, etc. This is true of most CAD pkg these days. I use Inventor at my current job and it's ***** in comparison, the mates are goofy, don't solve right, and lock up half the time when you try to move something with your mouse.
CAD is a great tool for this kind of thing. I'm getting a welder (for christmas!) and plan to make some of my own attachments. My fabrication skill comes in designing in CAD, making parts to prints, and welding/assembling. I know most approach it from a "sketch" and fabricate from there. I think the more you work it out from your "drawing board" the less you spend reworking and redoing, and learning the hard way. I'm sure not everyone agrees, but it's true for me, and that's what the companies you're buying your attachments from are doing, for the most part.
Lemme know what you guys think about these free CADs, and would love to see your implement designs.
CM
I'm an engineer so CAD is my bread and butter, it's what I do about half of every day. I've meant to try SketchUp a few times and I've seen some really cool screen grabs of some pretty cool stuff that was modeled with it.
I tried it myself once, but I gotta admit, after using the ones I've used for so long, the novelty of learning CAD is so far gone, I just couldn't hang in there long enough to give it a fair shake.
I've always found most kinematic packages (and CADs that have them) to be a little contrived. It's probably time that I give them a fair shake once again, as I was disgusted about 10 years ago with the wonky nature of them and mostly gave up.
I have used SolidWorks most of all, and with simple mates you can click/drag a part which pivots and from that you can learn just about everything you need to know about it's motion. It allows you to figure out your cyl strokes just right, pivot points, etc. This is true of most CAD pkg these days. I use Inventor at my current job and it's ***** in comparison, the mates are goofy, don't solve right, and lock up half the time when you try to move something with your mouse.
CAD is a great tool for this kind of thing. I'm getting a welder (for christmas!) and plan to make some of my own attachments. My fabrication skill comes in designing in CAD, making parts to prints, and welding/assembling. I know most approach it from a "sketch" and fabricate from there. I think the more you work it out from your "drawing board" the less you spend reworking and redoing, and learning the hard way. I'm sure not everyone agrees, but it's true for me, and that's what the companies you're buying your attachments from are doing, for the most part.
Lemme know what you guys think about these free CADs, and would love to see your implement designs.
CM
Colonel Monk
Silver Member
I didn't see your whole comment. I can see where some folks would agree with your solidworks comment, but I wouldn't. I guess it kinda depends where your computer literacy skills lie, and whether you have the patience to figure out how a CAD tool works.
Well, SWX is really easy in comparison to the ones I used 20 years ago - you had to use those 8 hours a day to be proficient because there was so many commands to memorize. You don't have to do that anymore, I picked SWX back up after a year or more off and could still do anything I wanted.
Though SWX has more than you need to do AG equipment (since it can do complex surface modeling for fancy curvy stuff) it is definitely at home for that use. I have also used the older versions at home once they went to network licensing. You can build anything for your tractor on a several year old version of it. They add very little actual functionality version by version these days...
If you want to cut once, designing in 3D CAD is the way to go. Some guys are freakily good with their ability to design with a grinder and a welder, but I don't think that way, wasn't trained to I guess.
davesl708
Elite Member
Colonel Monk,
Having been a AUTOCAD user, Sketchup is lacking to say the least. With the freebees KISS is the rule. Work fine for that.
Having been a AUTOCAD user, Sketchup is lacking to say the least. With the freebees KISS is the rule. Work fine for that.