What Do You Use To Draw/design Projects?

I started out with Cadkey many years ago but then went to MasterCam X at the last place I worked. I also have AutoCad ( which I found more difficult to learn ) and SolidWorks. Of all the ones I have I like MasterCam for it's 3D modeling. Makes it real easy to see the finished product.
 
Sketchup 8 for the very basic things, used to use Fusion 360 but due to a software issue on my PC I can no longer use it. I loved it.

For any serious projects I draft it on paper so I can bring it out into the shop.
 
Pencil and Paper, mostly, then the cardboard mockup. I see a lot of individuals use the Fusion 360. Sounds like an excellent application; alas, my OS is Linux, so I can't use it :-(. Does anyone use Linux, and if so, is there a favorite 2D/3D application?

I run Linux Mint for my OS. I like FREECAD - open source, fully parametric, and lots of options on how to do things. It takes some learning, but pretty well worth it in my. view. :)

http://www.freecadweb.org

Also multi platform and outputs in a large number of file types.
 
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I run Linux Mint for my OS. I like FREECAD - open source, fully parametric, and lots of options on how to do things. It takes some learning, but pretty well worth it in my. view. :)

http://www.freecadweb.org

Also multi platform and outputs in a large number of file types.
I go out of my way to use FreeCAD when I can. Have you played with the CADQuery module? It's awesome.

I currently have a project that is just too complicated for any of it, though. So I put together a virtual machine, installed windows 10, and started playing with Fusion360.

At work I use Siemens NX. It's ridiculous.

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I mentioned earlier that that I only make rough sketches, not formal prints, for personal mechanical parts but I always document electrical projects of any size; here are some more thoughts on the subject. For simple parts like air gun nozzles, spacers, adapters, fixtures, etc., I probably won't need to make another one but, if necessary, I can easily get the dimensions from the original parts I made since they're still here. If I sold machined parts I'd certainly document them more formally, probably with AutoCad since that's what I'm familiar with. Electrical/electronic projects are a different story; once built, with the wires bundled & mostly the same color run to integrated circuits, enclosed relays & transistors, it's next to impossible to troubleshoot or modify them without a detailed schematic containing component pinouts after a few weeks, even if you're the builder &/or designer.
 
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Like others; paper, pencil and rule. Turbocad for serious work and details.
 
Hey guys, I need some suggestions for some new software. Here are my needs:
Runs on Linux
2D only
Inch native measurements
Need to export files as .dxf.
Inexpensive...
I need to convert a number of drawings that I have in .pdf format to .dxf format so that they can be ported in bulk to a waterjet.
 
Hey guys, I need some suggestions for some new software. Here are my needs:
Runs on Linux
2D only
Inch native measurements
Need to export files as .dxf.
Inexpensive...
I need to convert a number of drawings that I have in .pdf format to .dxf format so that they can be ported in bulk to a waterjet.
Solidedge?
Draftsight?
LibreCAD?

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If you just need to convert the files (and do not need a cad program) there are a number of pdf to dxf file converters available. Some that are free and online like http://dwg.autodwg.com. (I haven't used that particular program, but have used others.)
 
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