What do you all use for a CAD program?

[Muddy Beast]

I used to use Solid Work 6.0 on my school computers but now that I'm not in high school anymore (Class of '09, woot) I need to find a CAD program or 3D software program to design my bumper in. I was originally going to make it based off sketches but realized I could save my self money and time if I dial it in on the computer first.

So what do all you guys use?

~Scott

 

[jdougn]

Actually been watching this same conversation on a nonrelated forum. Here's suggestions from that thread:

30 day free trial of Auto Desk:AutoDeskFreeTrial Retails for $500

Use Google Sketch Up its free. Just go to google and do a search for it.

Cad Pro 4.0 is cheap, $80. I don't know cad but I've used it some for deck plans. It will do mechanical also.

I've not tried the first two but hope this helps.
Doug

 

[Justpunchit]

I still use solid works, IMO it's the best out there, besides that I've used Auto Cad LT and a few versions of Cad Pro in school. If you want to just do a 3D design of your bumper design I know you can make one in Adobe photoshop CS4 they have a good 3D rendering program in there.

 

[Begster]

SolidWorks 6.0? Do you mean SolidWorks '06? Solidworks goes by a year system, then by a service pack version. At work I run SolidWorks '09, service pack 3.

SolidWorks is a great program, and its what most of the major engineering companies use. ProE is another one. I know AutoDesk does have a 3D program, but I haven't heard a lot about it.

If you are actually buying the programs, SolidWorks and ProE is very expensive, its well over $1,000 to set up a seat for 1 year with SW. Or you could just download it and bootleg it.

I would go with SolidWorks. I'm not sure what you plan on doing after highschool, but I know having SW experience is a very good tool when applying for jobs.

 

[ChiXJeff]

This club does not condone pirating, or theft of software. No discussion of that, period.

 

[Weasel]

Get some graph paper and draw it out. Doing a bumper in CAD is a waste of time and the fab people really don't care one way or another.

If your doing a full front multiple piece integration and drawing in frame rails, etc then CAD would be a good choice.

I use Solidworks for 3d and Autocad for 2d

 

[JeepFreak21]

I'm on Linux, so my options are limited, but I use QCad. The most I've ever done in it is 2D drawings to send to the laser cutter though.
Billy

 

[Muddy Beast]

Sounds like solid works is a good program to stick with. I used it for awhile so I'm familiar with the tools, I tried the google sketch-up but for the life of me could not find any tools I wanted. I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive...

As far as drawing versus CAD, my problem is I have about 3 ideas for mounting a rear bumper (all use the hitch and stock mounts) and I have a couple ways I can do the tube work/welding, but I want to get a realistic view of all so I can deside which looks best and which is the strongest.

~Scott

 

[Boostwerks.com]

Honestly, almost all shops I've worked with utilize Solidworks. Autocad was the 2D standard for a while, but even the construction industry has now starting using solidworks.

 

[old_man]

I use SolidWorks 09 along with SolidCam.

 

[asp]

i've used PRO E, solid works a little, and have seen google sketcher. i know pro e the best but it's not very intuitive and is a bear to use with any sort of revision system. solid works is very intuitive from everything i've heard and my experiences. PRO E was originally written by the russians and i guess they think differently on "how" to make a design. that's what i heard, not sure if it's true or not.

the job i'm at now we use solid works too, i just don't really need it much. i do mostly FEA and Matlab stuff.

I'm on Linux, so my options are limited, but I use QCad. The most I've ever done in it is 2D drawings to send to the laser cutter though.
Billy

i'm not the only linux nut on here... i don't use it all the time though...