Dannopower Donating Members 421 Member For: 19y 10m 27d Gender: Male Location: Canberra ACT Posted 03/04/06 03:15 AM Share Posted 03/04/06 03:15 AM Hi,As the title says, Im looking for some advice from anyone that is involved in CAD design systems.I run a small (17 staff), custom built timber furniture business, totally without computerized machinery. Zero. Even the design drawings are freehand sketches. Everything is made to measure every time, in similar styles but never exactly the same, hence the reason I havent worried about getting set up for CAD work, as I hear its a *beep* to get set up.The other problem I have is that we have over 300 different products, so whatever software I get will have to be easy to enter specifications into.I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction to start looking at CAD software, of free test downloads of a sample of software that I could use to get started on? Im not even sure its worthwile wasting my time with.Even feedback on software that you are currently using or that could be used in my situation would be greatly appreciated!Cheers! Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotom Team Bute Donating Members 1,550 Member For: 21y 9m 19d Gender: Male Location: Adelaide Posted 03/04/06 03:58 AM Share Posted 03/04/06 03:58 AM You're posting on a turbo forum, so ya may as well try this one.Free download for 30 day trial.TomTurboCAD Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/#findComment-366656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honest Gaza The Thief of BadGags Donating Members 527 Member For: 21y 7m 3d Location: Sydney Posted 03/04/06 04:07 AM Share Posted 03/04/06 04:07 AM I've got a brother that works in the cabinetry business. He uses a program called "Sketch-up" which allows drawings in Plan/Elevation view, or 3d view. Individual "planes" can be extruded so that you can show a drawer open....or change the thickness of a bench top by selecting the object and dragging the extrusion to the desired thickness / length.I used the same program to draw up a new Awning I was having built and saved the final layout in 3d view. (File attached) Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/#findComment-366660 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagabond Bored Member Administrator 35,722 Member For: 22y 5m 20d Gender: Male Location: Dé·jà vu Posted 03/04/06 04:09 AM Share Posted 03/04/06 04:09 AM AutoCad LT will cover all you need, I use it 10 hours a day, once your used it you'll find it very easy to use.And if your looking to upgrade to CAD driven machinery later on AutoCAD will be your best bet as it is the most widely used software in the business.Dont go for the full version of AutoCAD though as it's very resource heavy you'll need a fairly high end computer to run it, where as LT will run on the simplest of platforms and cover everything you need.Just remember when you start drawing that everything you do is 1:1 scale, I spent the good part of 3years drawing free scale. We have now purchased a Wirecutter and every drawing has now got to be redone 1:1.2000+drawings.... Feel free to contact me anytime if you need any pointers. Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/#findComment-366661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc Member 50 Member For: 21y 9m 5d Location: Melbourne Posted 03/04/06 04:57 AM Share Posted 03/04/06 04:57 AM Hey, have a friend who works here, http://www.fastcamusa.com/new/ (hosted in the US but an Aussie company...Sounds like they do exactly what your after... Drop me a line if you'd like me to introduce you or just have a look at what they do.... Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/#findComment-366679 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannopower Donating Members 421 Member For: 19y 10m 27d Gender: Male Location: Canberra ACT Posted 03/04/06 10:22 PM Author Share Posted 03/04/06 10:22 PM Thanks for all your tips guys, I might have a play around with some of these before I head to AWISA (Woodworking and joinery show in july!) and see what is the go. I may buy a CNC router in the next few years, bring on the billet alloy parts in my spare time! Link to comment https://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/24497-cad-designers-anyone-out-there/#findComment-366912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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