LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 29, 2024, 3:45 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: CAD Forum Suggestion
PostPosted: February 1, 2013, 2:47 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: September 1, 2009, 1:54 pm
Posts: 75
So I managed to find 5 free CAD software platforms I plan to check out this weekend/next week. A LOT of us want to do FEA and CADing for our designs and every time someone with a license or access to SolidWorks posts a pic the "Can you model something for me?" or "Oh man I wish I could do that" posts start.

Perhaps we can have an area where we can all share some CAD source information, tips and suggestions with a help section would be great.

If this is possible I am ready to post the 5 I have found and links to their Down Load sites. If the forum gets going well perhaps sub forums for each software would be warented.

_________________
Jon Gandy
-My Automotive Journalism site. Be nice, I've just started my career, and the site: http://www.up-shift.net
-Jon's "High Gear" Middy project: http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7423


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: CAD Forum Suggestion
PostPosted: February 1, 2013, 6:16 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: October 24, 2008, 2:13 pm
Posts: 5326
Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
Hi Jon,

I'm very much in favor of using CAD and I definitely want to encourage you to post what you discover.

It would be fantastic if there was a world-wide cadre of people doing CAD designs for Locosts and other neat transportation devices. Imagine if you could look at a build log and see a great solution and that builder could send you a CAD file you could immediately use or send to a local shop to have it made (assuming you didn't have the tools and skills yourself).

Some folks think that process is underway now with the use of the free version of Google SketchUp (http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html). I'll have to say right up front that I'm not a fan of sketchUp for engineering design.

I have a couple of questions for you:

1) What does CAD mean to you: 2D or 3D?

2) Which free programs did you find and can you list them and their source (website, shareware)?

3) Do any of the 5 you've found import and/or export in any industry-standard kind of format like STEP, IGES, or STL?

Regards,

Lonnie

_________________
Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: CAD Forum Suggestion
PostPosted: February 6, 2013, 11:30 pm 
Offline

Joined: March 26, 2012, 1:53 am
Posts: 227
Location: Mountain View, CA
Why not just use the Resources, Drawings and Computer Programs forum?

_________________
------------------------------------
Noah


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: CAD Forum Suggestion
PostPosted: February 7, 2013, 12:47 am 
Offline
Mid-Engined Maniac

Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6410
Location: SoCal
Lonnie-S wrote:
... I'll have to say right up front that I'm not a fan of sketchUp for engineering design...


This times a million. I used it to design my car and hope to never deal with it again for anything requiring any sort of engineering. Designing a deck, sure, designing a house, maybe, but designing a tube-frame chassis - no. Can it be done? Yes, I did, but a hammer can be used as a screwdriver, too...

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
POWERED_BY