CAD package recommendations
Ronald E. Hatcher
I know this primarily an AutoCAD group but I'll try this anyway. We are trying
to standardize CAD packages for non-drafting staff at the lab where I work. We
would like to obtain a site license for a package suitable for quick sketching
as well as reasonably complex drawing (2D and 3D). The people using the package
are computer literate (Physicists, Engineers, and Techicians) using a mix of
PCs and Macintoshes for this purpose. At present people use (not necessarily in
order of popularity) the following packages: AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, TurboCAD,
Claris CAD, Claris Draw, and Vellum. Our drafting department uses CADDS 5 and
ProEngineer so conversion to these formats or DXF is highly desireable. Please
e-mail your recommendations, experiences, etc. to
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One package you have overlooked is ANVIL EXPRESS. I'm not sure, but I
don't think the programs you listed can take you from design to
machining. Also, EXPRESS has great 3D rendering capabilities. The
company that makes EXPRESS has been around longer than any other CAD
company. Their home page is at http://www.mcsaz.com.
M
Tony Tanzillo
I would consider seperate packages for quick 2D sketching
and complex 3D CADD.
I don't have a specific recommendation for 3D, but for
quick 2D sketching, Intergraph Imagineer Technical has
no peer.
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Ronald E. Hatcher <rhat...@pppl.gov> wrote in article
<01bd0109$e5bc53a0$4957...@cc1005269-a.ewndsr1.nj.home.com>...
Dennis Shinn
Greetings
"Ronald E. Hatcher" <rhat...@pppl.gov> posted the following
>I know this primarily an AutoCAD group but I'll try this anyway. We are trying
>to standardize CAD packages for non-drafting staff at the lab where I work. We
>would like to obtain a site license for a package suitable for quick sketching
>as well as reasonably complex drawing (2D and 3D).
The 3D portion of your quest is a rather complex issue. Any really *good*
3D package wil be (in my opinion) somewhat difficult to learn and perhaps
on the expensive side depending on your end product requirements.
There are two fine 3D NURBS modeling packages that I'm aware of that don't
necessarily fit into the CAD genre of software. Rhino (from the McNeel
group; free fully functional beta version downloadable from
www.mecneel.com) and the 4D Vision Sculptor. I have no experience with the
latter but I've dabbled to a degree with the former.
While Rhino is the most powerful NURBS modeler I've ever used (well, let's
face it, the *only* one I've ever used) I personally find it rather
difficult to use coming from a lengthy AutoCAD background. I'm sure it's
just me and not the program since I'm expecting the same command set and
such. None the less I have been able to create some rather interesting
shapes and edit them in ways I could never hope to duplicate in AutoCAD.
The DXF output is quite good although the true geometry of the model must
be converted into object types that AutoCAD can understand and display.
This means either polyface meshes or 3D faces; the true curves aren't
preserved exactly. It's an AutoCAD problem.
The other issue that's difficult for me to adjust to with Rhino is the lack
of imperial units data entry. It does provide precise value entry for
object creation but it's all in single unit values. With practice and a
sutiable calculator I suspect this would be easily overcome.
I've looked at the demo CD of Solid works which is an extremely impressive
package but probably not within your budget as it's a rather full blown 3D
modeling and documentation application. Rhino is being targetd at the
$US7-800 market range while the program is still in beta. I don't know for
sure how much the 4D Vision Scupltor sells for. I should have more
information on it in the near future.
AcadLT is not promoted as a 3D package but does contain some basic 3D
options such as object thickness. Quite limiting however.