i have been trying forever to find out how to use CAD and i SUCK at it ive tryed google with no resluts but are there any guides on it of is it a lot simpler then im makeing of it idk
Before i begin my CAD rant, I will say that all CAD programs are diferent, so you will not find any universal 'use's guide' on google. CAD is learned by actually using programs for longer than it takes to get frustrated at them. You may suck now, but that doesn't mean you're destined to always suck. I've learned how to use four different in-depth CAD systems, and none of them were learned quickly. Probably the first thign you should do is decide which program you want to use. I can't really help you there, none of the programs I've used (besides solidworks 2005/2006, but it costs a s***load of money) have been really truly excellent. But it is a matter of personal preference. So download trial copies, and try out some of the more basic tutorials. i.e. dont jump right into 3D modeling no matter how much you want to. 2D work is hard enough to learn if you have little experience, 3D is completely unreasonable unless you're God's gift to the CAD world. So get used to the programs you're trying out, see which one you like the best. Here I'll stress that it's not all about which ones are most full-featured. While features are nice, if you find the interface perpetually vexing, it' a bad choice Then buy a retail/download copy (assuming the program costs money) and read the tutorials. Seriously. Read the damn tutorials, and do them. And it will take time!! The quickest I've ever learned a program to anywhere near it's full extent was this past january, when i spent 4+ hours a day, 6 days a week (4 weeks) learning I-DEAS 10 (i do not recommend this program), and I'd already ahd three years of solid CAD experience. But if you manage to find a program that you enjoy using and pick up really quickly, then make that your program of choice. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. Rome was not built in a day, neither will CAD come in a day, or even a week or a month. Persistence is key here, and taking things in manageable chunks is also good. hope this helps. I can continue to help you with questions dealing with CAD, but my speciality (in order of most experience) is with these types of drafting: Drafting on paper (a really good start before you work with any program) CADKEY 1998., 1999, 19 Solidworks 2005, 2006 I-DEAS 10, 10 NX Datacad 6 (or was it 9? i dont remember )
I preffer AutoCAD, but I cant stand the fact you cant make solids transparent during rendering. It makes it hard to design acrylic cases. Edit: just discovered materials. Still looks cheesy........
Well, with any package you need time. Ive used AutoCAD for 6 years, Solidworks for 2, and now PRO/e for a month. (Of course work is paying me to get trained in PRO/e, so I'm learning that real fast) I still learn new tricks for each one everyday. My advice to you is start small. Learn how to make a decent dimensioned 3-view drawing by hand. Then try it in ACad. Then take an object you have lying around your room, like a remote control, and model it in 3d as a solid. Once you get to this point you'll be pretty deep in whatever program your using. If you have any specific questions for a specific system, I've used pretty much all the big players software, feel free to ask the questions in this thread.
For free, A9CAD (http://www.a9tech.com/) is a brilliant program, because it's well featured, but especially, not buggy like most software is. For money I prefer Autocad just for it's ease of use, mostly (for how complex it is).
