O/T Cad software

[specv]

What is everyone using for CAD software for creating prints? We currently use AutoCAD Mechanical Desktop for this but Autodesk is replacing this with Inventor Which is way more software than i need. I was just looking for some input.

Thanks in advance

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

AutoCAD for about 90% of the stuff I see.

[mayday]

I like solidworks if you have a solid. Im still self learning it with the tutitorials. I dont care for autosad so I still use MC for simple prints

[Wally]

Went from AutoCAD,after 10 years, to Solidworks. 100 percent improvement.

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

I use mastercam for blueprinting. I have everything i need to make a professional looking print using mc's drafting.

 

I have heard Solidworks has excellent drafting abilities including bi-directional associativity.

 

I design with Rhino as well, but Rhino lacks drafting features needed as that's not their niche.

[pno]

If you want only 2D drafting or simple 3D, Autocad it's the way !!!! It's the best for drafting, if you learn well this software.

If you want 3D parametric, complex models, Solid Edge or Solid Works it's the chip solution, or Catia, ProE, Unigraphics it's the expensive way )

[MACHINEMASTERG]

solidworks and mastercam!!!

[MetalMarvels]

With many years with AutoDesk products and a few years with ProE, I have finally gone with SolidWorks.

[Paul B Toolcraft Co.]

quote:

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I use mastercam for blueprinting. I have everything i need to make a professional looking print using mc's drafting.

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Here too!

Design with solids and use the layout option. It's the only CAD that I know well, but I do like drawing in MC alot. It only becomes a bit more work when the costumer wants a copy of the prints in AutoCAD. Then I have to import in file to AutoCAD LT and fix the line styles and text.

 

Paul B.

[MATT Q]

Mastercam + solidworks = good combination

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I shoudl have prefaced my comment, our "Engineers" use AutoCAD about 90% of the time.

 

I use Mastercam for everything, I like it much better than anything else I've used.

[elbro]

Solidworks and Mastercam here

[lynnz]

Mastercam and Solidworks are a big hit with us in our patternmaking work.

 

lynnz

[pno]

If you don't want to buy another software or you don't have many drawings to make you can use MC like James, but if you have a lot of drawings and you want to make faster, use Autocad+learn some AutoLisp for little programs, learn to modify acad.pgp for keyboard shortcuts..with Autocad help not special training.., a good Logitech or Microsoft mouse. All of this=faster and in same time better. I try many CAD software. A single sotware it's like Autocad and now maybe better: Microstation; have same 3D features in plus.

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

quote:

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It only becomes a bit more work when the costumer wants a copy of the prints in AutoCAD. Then I have to import in file to AutoCAD LT and fix the line styles and text.

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Paul, i feel your pain!! So damn time consuming fixing all the dims and texts. what a pain in the arse!

 

also, you mentioned mc's solids layout feature for blueprinting. For those of you who have never used that - try it! No other CAD program has that. It's a very powerful feature... more powerful than I realized at first.

 

james - i use mastercam for almost everything, too. i use rhino for certain complex shapes where its free form curves and robust control point editing assists me but mostly mastercam. Is there any cadcam program out there better than mc's designing and drafting functionality? I certainly doubt it.

 

sure, solidworks is a great solid modeler, but mc manages and will get stronger as time goes by. Rhino has a plug-in called nPowersolids. it gives rhino added solid modeler functionality [robust filleting, boolean operations, shelling, a solid history tree, etc].

 

specv, learn mc's drafting tools. you will find you have everything you need to get your prints out the door...and looking good!

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

+1 ROY_23

 

I have the GD&T stuff for Masterrcam (Free C-Hook from Verisurf Ernie). In all honesty, when I draft something it's for a shop Drawing at the most.

[specv]

I have never heard that you can do that in MC i thought design was just mill without the programming aspect.... hmm anyone care to elaborate on this?

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Yeah you can do any sort of drawing in Mill Lathe, Wire, Design and Router. Draw away!!!

[mold100]

Solidworks!!!!!!!

[d00d]

Solidworks & Mastercam here

[Diablo God]

If you make a part in mastercam, and use the new solidworks to mastercam add in thingy. Then make a print in solidworks. Then remodify the part in mastercam. will solidworks modify the print?

[Oppiz]

I use Inventor for prints. Not my first choice but its has some good points.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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...will solidworks modify the print?

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Prolly not.

[Kevin O]

solidworks is easy to learn, easy to use and imports complete solids directly into mastercam

[Brent Wilkerson]

2d=AutoCAD - 3d Solid=SolidWorks.

 

Let me see you draw a electrical schematic in SolidWorks