Drawing Software

I earlier said that I wanted to learn Blender again... and I did. I am now able to make simple stuff and still learning. I am much more comfortable with it now. To make things even more interesting, I got my kids learning them with me. They all are doing well. The youngest is 1st grader. I think the keys are practice, practice and practice. Doing that, icons, keyboard shortcuts and ideas imprints in the brain and you'll get used to them.

I would suggest go ahead and find the easiest lessons and keep going at it. Don't hit any hard. For example, we learned how to add material/texture to a ball, move, rotate, change dimension of a cube, add lighting, extrude, bevel, insets, make a treasure chest. Today, we were learning to make a donut and some of the steps appear a bit hard to follow. But we managed.

I think my prior failure was due to I watched few videos, told myself it was doable, then went and do it myself on my own project and failed.

It appears learning these things is like learning a new language or a musical instrument, you just have to keep going at it and at a pace that suite you the most.

Hopefully this helps.
 
The way I settled on Solidworks was by modeling three parts/assemblies in three software suites by following a book by Prof. Sham Tickoo (amazon link to book) while I had some useable time on my hands back in 2004. I modeled the same three parts in each suite, Mechsoft Pro/E, Autodesk Inventor, and Solidworks. Each part could be built nearly the same, regardless of software, so the difference would be in the user experience. I found that I preferred Solidworks. Maybe if I had lots of early Autocad experience I would have liked Inventor, but having not spent time with the ecosystem leading up to my trial, I found it didn't suit me. Anyhow, this was an eye opening process for me. Of course, you'll need to acquire software, but there are a number of options for home users, trial copies, academic licenses, and dark arts methods available to make a trial run possible. A university library or community college computer lab may offer access as well.
 
I'm using AutoCad 2018 It's a free student version it's fully functional in all respects. Just go to AutoCad and download the student version. I'm no student but I registered as one. no problems so far. I believe its a 5 year license
 
I also use my drafting table and tools cuz I like to................... :grin:
I did download Freecad a while back but am still intimidated by it.......... :frown:
 
I have worked with AutoCad since version 6 I think? With limited access to the internet I like the stand alone software - been using NanoCad as was mentioned a bit back. Seems to work fine and very similar to the 2000's version of AutoCad....a bit cruder I guess in some ways but it seems to work and I have opened and worked on ACAD drawings from the latest ACAD using it?

Mostly I use a pencil and graph paper though.....
 
I would be quite comfortable with Pencil and paper for 2D drawings although I do like Autocad even for 2D. However, if you ever want to use a 3D Printer you will have to design the part in a 3D drawing tool. Also now, if the part is even the least bit complex, I tend to draw it in 3D to allow better visualization. The best drawing software is the one that you spend enough time practicing with.
 
RJSakowski said:
For those who insist on working with an AutoCad-like cad package, https://nanocad.com/products/nanoCAD/download/
Click to expand...

My ACAD license expired and I am having some problems getting it to renew. While the drawings will import into Fusion 360, there are times that I like AutoCAD simply because I have been using it for many years, especially for simple stuff. I am slowly learning Fusion 360, I have the CAM functions pretty well figured out, but having a hard time getting my head around 3D modeling..

I installed nanoCAD yesterday and was pleasantly surprised, for all practical purposes it is AutoCAD. I was making drawings in about 5 minutes, all of the normal AutoCAD functions are there and it has the same look & feel of AutoCAD and in some cases is easier to navigate. I was able to import my AutoCAD 2013 dwg files with no problem. I only played with it for about 15 minutes, but so far I'm impressed.
 
I use nanoCAD for minor/simple things, I like it mostly. I was really sad that Draftsight stopped having a free option, it was identical to AutoCAD. NanoCAD’s scaling/dimensioning in paper space is kludgy at best - still don’t comprehend it fully.
All that said, I’ve pretty well transitioned completely to Solidworks. The longer I use it, the faster it gets so I end up modeling even the simple stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Say, my Draftsight has not died yet, but I am sure to be on borrowed time.

I just installed nanocad, looks like a GREAT option. thanks for sharing this.

Karl
 
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