Modding Best drawing/design/CAD software to use for custom case design

I've got a few ideas for a case I'd like to build, but I really wouldn't feel comfortable building anything (esp. cutting up expensive materials when it's my first case mod) without having a good model first.

I'm wondering if there's a program out there that would allow me to build templates for things so that I get an idea of where I want to put things like fans, hard drives, etc. Ideally, I'd like to be able to put in rectangular measurements and then get a model for things. For example, I want to type in 120mm x 120mm x 25mm and get a rectangle that would represent the space a 120mm fan would take up. That way I can place components where I want them and build the case around that.

Maybe this is obvious and you can do this with any modeling software, but I've never worked with any so I don't know what to expect.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

Hi. I know alot of ppl in these forums use sketchup to fraw models on. I personally dont like it. I just cant get used to using it!

 

What do you use?

 

An old 3D Studio VIZ R3... Works really well, and can export 2D to the laser cutter ;-)

You can probably get it cheap somewhere!

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http://www.the-cbox.com

 

I dont, i would to use a decent CAD program, but even if i could get 1, i dont have the time to learn how to use 1 properly at them moment, so i just do my designs in my head. Im lucky i suppose, im a very metanlly visual person. Im also a good problem solver, hence the reason im currently at uni, learning how to b an engineer!

 

Maybe you'd want some grid paper and a mechanica pencil, then.

 

playing with Solid edge at the mo its a realy barstuward to work with, i find SketchUP to easy to use and it doesn't export dxf files either which is a bugger.


morgan.

 

I use 3D studio max/Maya/Terragen/Rhino 3D/autoCAD/and Solid Works (yes I know I need a life) CAD and 3dModeling is a true passion of mine.

(thank god for cheap Indain software)

 

I use AutoCAD 2004.

Thankfully, our computer lab at school has a few computers with the program on it.

Works great for what you said, putting in a 120 x 120 x 25 mm block.

I use 2002, and have heard of a 2004 version, but from what I fiddled with it 2002 is better.

 

I learned Autocad2004 this semester, and i like it alot
Here is a basic example of what i created once with it:

 

all I see is an X may I suggest www.photobucket.com

 

I use Solid Edge mostly.

 

yumm that would be this i belive.



and Maya has a free version for Students/Hobbists if you wana check that out. i just downloaded it and all i can say is. "I'm Lost".

 

I'd suggest thier video toutorial, Maya is very similar to 3d Studio max and Rhino3d, it's sort of a hybrid of them both...hard to explain really. If I ever get around to It i'll make a toutorial.

 

I've learned AutoCAD 2004 for my major and it is a decent program to start off with.

 

i cant stand autocad but then again my school only has 2000 and i learned rhino 3d before that

 

3Dstudio 6 for me...


Melting but I'm getting the hang of it, just don't ask me for an actual modelled fan...

 

Solid Edge all the way Much better than AutoCAD IMO, once you've got used to the interface, although all we have in the labs is AutoCAD2002.

 

Thanks Woodshop! guess Deviant art dosnet like me using it like that, it previewed and viewed fine for me though

Im looking at learning 3d studio max over the summer just for fun. I want to do a BAWLS bottle in it for practice and get it looking as good as possible. How does Rhino3D and 3ds max compare to Autocad if I know autocad pretty well already?

I also have to redo my case model and add more details, like what’s supporting the drives and maybe some more construction details