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RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ FREE



Paper drawings and CAD models perform two largely different, but both important 
functions.  My own design folders are filled with pencil sketches, hand 
drawings and quick "back of the envelope" calcs which I generate when 
brainstorming ideas, or creating preliminary concept sketches.  As soon as I 
think an idea is viable, then I do the CAD model.  Having a 3D model which can 
be manipulated in space to view from any angle at any distance is invaluable to 
get an intuitive feel for how something is going to work.  Taking it further, 
to the manufacturing level, the CAD model allows me to generate drawings with 
accurate geometry which don't cost me huge amounts of time and effort to 
recreate if I change something after the drawing is done.  I would never go 
back to pen and paper for creating detailed drawings, nor would I use the 
computer for spur of the moment concept evaluations.

I am lucky in that I have a number of commercial packages at my disposal.  
These include not only modelling packages but also static and dynamic finite 
element analysis, fatigue analysis, motion simulation and computational fluid 
dynamics packages.  The costs of these software licences are beyond reach of 
the typical hobbyist, but feature-limited versions of many modelling packages 
are available under non-commercial licences for reasonable cost.
 
Having used AutoCAD, Mechanical Desktop, Inventor, I-DEAS, SolidWorks, ANSYS 
and a handful of special purpose packages, I vote for SolidWorks as a general 
3D solid modeling package that is user friendly enough for someone not familiar 
with CAD modeling to learn.

-Sean


Quoting Stephen Pearce <sjpearceqld@bigpond.com>:

> Joey,
> 
> I would concur with Joe on this one with regard to 3D CAD although I think
> freehand drawings have there place to.
> 
> The big advantage of a quality 3D CAD programme is the additional abilities
> that come with it like Mass, Volume and Centre of gravity calculations.
> 
> Regards 
> 
> Steve P
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Joseph Perkel
> Sent: Thursday, 9 November 2006 7:03 AM
> To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ FREE
> 
> Joey,
> 
> "IMHO, as far as designs, I wouldn't exchange my graphing paper tablet for
> anything. I can erase and draw freehand."
> 
> ......there's no faster way to jot down an idea than precisely as you say.
> 
> But, the first time you manipulate a 3d model of your creations, zoom in / 
> out, change colors, calculate odd shaped volumes with a click, and put 
> yourself in the pilots seat to look out the port.
> 
> ........well it might as well be heroin,... your hooked!
> 
> Joe
> 
> >From: "Joey C." <jbfan@verizon.net>
> >Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ FREE
> >Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:17:40 -0800
> >
> >Hey Guys!
> >Hope its not too late, but Blender is an open-source CAD program that's
> >totally free.
> >It's probably just the basics, but if you want to get the feeling for
> >something and experiment, I guess its worth the price.
> >
> >http://blender.org/cms/Home.2.0.html
> >
> >IMHO, as far as designs, I wouldn't exchange my graphing paper tablet for
> >anything. I can erase and draw freehand.
> >
> >-Joey
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Patrick
> >Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 9:39 AM
> >To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ 195
> >
> >Rhino you say? FreeShip?
> >
> >I'll look into those. I should be able to pick them up
> >pretty fast. I come from an ACAD and PRO-E background.
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Jay K. Jeffries" <bottomgun@mindspring.com>
> >To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 11:34 AM
> >Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ 195
> >
> >
> > > Patrick,
> > > SolidWorks is a great program but you will find that naval architects 
> >seem
> > > to be focusing on Rhino for design work.  You can do some rudimentary
> > > hydrostatic calculations with Rhino and there are a number of add-ons 
> >that
> > > really enhance the program.
> > >
> > > For a very economical (i.e. free, but limited in many ways) program that
> > > has
> > > some cool interfaces with other free enhancements, take a look at
> > > FreeShip.
> > > Again, hydrostatic data is readily available plus, using Michlet you can
> > > review the generated wave pattern at various speeds and get an idea of
> > > towing issues.
> > >
> > > Respectfully,
> > > Jay K. Jeffries
> > > Andros Is., Bahamas
> > >
> > > It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
> > > without
> > > accepting it.
> > >  - Aristotle
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> > > [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Patrick
> > > Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 9:10 AM
> > > To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> > > Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD Program $ 195
> > >
> > > There are also SolidWorks Educational packs with 24 month licences out
> > > there
> > >
> > > http://www.studica.com/SolidWorks/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
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