What Do You Use To Draw/design Projects?

Will look at SolidEdge and Draftsight. I have LibreCad on the machine now and I don't care for it and it runs very clunky. I'm probably spoiled from having run AutoCad, Mechanical Desktop and Catia for quite a while.

Running the files thru a .pdf converter won't work, as these are scans of velum's and stored in .pdf form.
 
Turbo-Cad 20 Professional. Long time usuer, however not very proficient.
 
I use Ashlar Colbalt, and Graphite. Works great on a Mac. Now if I could just figure out how to take the next step and convert my cad drawings to cam and produce a product on a a cnc machine, I migh have something...
 
My first career was spent on a drawing board, in engineering design; my second as a boat builder, customizing yachts. Now my drafting table is only used when I wish to scale some of the features, right off the drawing or blow-up, and for complex assemblies, where I need the drawing to help me visualize all the intricate details. Normally I make very quick, thumbnail sketches on a 3 x 5 note paper, with critical measurements noted using my 10' pocket tape and 6" dial caliper. From/on this is created a material list, which I keep in mind while designing, in order to utilize inventory wherever possible.

From these rough sketches and cut lists, patterns or finished parts can be made.
 
I use AutoCAD 2016. I'm enrolled in the welding program at the community college so I'm entitled to a free three year academic license. The last version I actually paid for was AutoCAD R12 which is still on an old computer if it will still boot. I still have my Kurta IS-1 tablet and my Zericon pen plotter.

I just passed my first welding certification, AWS Structural Welder SMAW 1/8" to unlimited thickness. Next semester, it's structural MIG and intro to TIG.
 
Thumbnail dipped in tar.
John.

That's about where I'm at. I'm not set up for CAD just plain manual machining. Even when I was doing tool making never much went beyond a freehand sketch with a few dimensions.

cheers,

Bob.
 
As a long time drafty I always do at least a hand sketch. Then if there are some complex dimensions or shapes, I do it in TurboCad (currently pro20, but the first version I got was 7). Several times I have tried 3D, but I really don't see the need for me. As has already been said us old time draftsmen think in 3D!! I'm actually thinking about resurrecting my old drawing board for use in the shed. Sometimes, for just banging out a decent sketch, albeit with straight lines, square corners and round holes, it would be fine.
cheers
Bill
 
I downloaded the free version of Fusion 360-----------------and I can actually figure out how to make some (really) simple drawings. I think that I'm going to like it.
Took me a while to figure out how to print my images on my printer though---pretty computer challenged.

G'day John,
I also downloaded the free version of Fusion 360, I've spent many hours looking at and trying to draw something, without any useful result, very computer challenged and have never done any CAD before.

Can you give any clues where to start, Like how to draw an I beam or H beam. Thanks.

Bob.
 
As a long time drafty I always do at least a hand sketch. Then if there are some complex dimensions or shapes, I do it in TurboCad (currently pro20, but the first version I got was 7). Several times I have tried 3D, but I really don't see the need for me. As has already been said us old time draftsmen think in 3D!! I'm actually thinking about resurrecting my old drawing board for use in the shed. Sometimes, for just banging out a decent sketch, albeit with straight lines, square corners and round holes, it would be fine.
cheers
Bill
G'Day Bill, how are you I see you are in Adelaide, me too Blackwood area. Recently downloaded Fusion 360 but have no idea where to start, haven't done any serious drawings since mid 60's in trade school.
 
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