Low budget cad for design and build - sharing plans.

[Doug98105]

Originally Posted by Gene_Olson

Doug,

I got a donut,

here is some coffee.

try c.AD_ASM



surfaces modeled in Rhino
cup and coffee saved as step file.
steam imported as an iges.

Nice cup of coffee, Gene.

I spent a few minutes trying to use the "Trim Model" feature to slice your cup. All I got was an obscure error message above the surface or some such.

Thanks, at least we know we can easily exchange Alibre files if needed.

Doug

[Gene_Olson]

were you able to slice bugatti surfaces?
and did you try the part file for just the cup?

I discovered that the iges that I exported as "steam" also had the cup and coffee attached. OOOPS.

[Doug98105]

Originally Posted by Gene_Olson

were you able to slice bugatti surfaces?

I was able to trim the model, not sure exactly how since I can't seem to do it again.

When I downloaded the IGES Bug I switched the file back and forth between Xpress and Vector CAD/CAM. A major portion of the file had to be deleted in Vector to get it down to a manageable size for Xpress.

Doug

[Wray Schelin]

I think the file exchange process that we are seeing right now between Doug and Gene, will be the best approach to being introduced to the power of a 3D solid modeling program. If we are lucky a few more folks will jump in and it will keep building. Then if members start to ask questions about what is happening as the drawings evolve everyone will start to catch on.

Maybe a project like Ernie's motorcycle tank can be modeled with screen shots of the various steps.

As for the difficulty in using a 3D modeling program, it is no different than learning how to use a automotive rollaway chest full of tools. I would bet most of us have a rollaway tool box chockablock full with every socket, screwdriver, wrench, etc.

We also know where to find every tool in our tool box and what each one does. We also need to know the sequence they can be used and on which applications.

When you think about it we know a lot about the tools in our mechanics rollaway toolboxes.

We have memorized all of the information needed to use them.

It is the same deal with learning SolidWorks, you have a tool box of many many tools, which you have to memorize
to use properly. You have to memorize where they are, what they do, the proper order of their use, and on which applications they can be used.

Both the tool box and the 3D cad programs are similar memory problems. The mechanics tool box will allow you to fix just about any type of machinery and you can make a living using them. The 3D CAD toolbox will allow you to design just about anything, documenting every step of the build and it will allow you to go back and modify the design later and update the drawing. Once the drawing is done it is a lot more than just a drawing it is the DNA of the design that you created. That drawing contains the X,Y,and Z measurements of every square inch of the design. It will also let you share the design easliy with others. You can send portions of the design to be made by others, You can sell the design. You can make a real good living selling your designs.

When you sell your knowledge based on you mechanics toolbox you sell the knowledge to one customer, a client or an employer.

When you sell your knowledge based on your 3D CAD program toolbox you can sell to a single client, a employer or to thousands of clients worldwide. You open up your potential thousands of times.

3D Cad knowledge is many many more times valuable than the knowledge based on your use of tools in the rollaway..... The difficulty of the memory problem is about the same. They are both very complex problems when looked at from a newby perspective. They might be insurmountable if you stumble on issues of cost (which is really investment) and complexity especially if you are getting on in years. Almost everyone will, if they really buckle-down, find a way to learn something new, even if it is difficult. If a little help is gained along the way from other MetalMeet members that have already learned the step you are struggling with, all the better.

We have a learning center already here in the Design forum, that is what this thread is about.

We can't expect someone to donate hours and hours of free time. We can expect them to offer fee based lessons where the learning process can be speeded up considerably. I think something like that will develop as we build the Bugatti. I think SolidWorks would be foolish not to take notice of our achievement and to use it as an example. With Alex's help this has become a very real possibility.

Great developments lay ahead, we only have to accept the challenge and learn new skills. It's a win win for everyone.

[Ernie Ferrucci]

Wray: That was an excellent post . Your analogy of the tool box and the software clears up a lot of smoke, (cigar smoke in my shop).
It's been said that 90% of many things is getting started. This thread could be the ticket for our own learning center.

[tdoty]

Originally Posted by Wray Schelin

As for the difficulty in using a 3D modeling program, it is no different than learning how to use a automotive rollaway chest full of tools. I would bet most of us have a rollaway tool box chockablock full with every socket, screwdriver, wrench, etc.

We also know where to find every tool in our tool box and what each one does. We also need to know the sequence they can be used and on which applications.

When you think about it we know a lot about the tools in our mechanics rollaway toolboxes.

We have memorized all of the information needed to use them.

Do you have any clue how long it's taken me to get to that level with my toolboxes and the specialized tools in them? Still working on it ................25+ years after I started working with tools on a regular basis.

Also, your wrench works the same as my wrench, but most of these CAD programs have different tools, that work in (slightly?) different ways ............ and sometimes a socket is the better approach.

For me, I've tried a number of programs, but I learned mechanical drafting early on (my stepfather was a trained draftsman, he taught me what my drafting teachers didn't). 2D CAD wasn't so bad. I haven't found a program that allows me to integrate the skills I possess into something useful in 3D. Some come close, but it's still not the same. Hence, my decision to not bother with it.

Tim D.

[dauer]

There is another option for people in most areas as I have taken a number of CAD classes at my local community college, they are pretty reasonable and gives you access to the software and student deals. Not all schools keep up to date with the latest versions but it will give you a good start on the basics you will need and unfortunatly there are VERY FEW people who are capable of training to the level Alex possesses but it is an option.


Dave

[v2cad]

I was able to bring the IGES file into the program that I use. I cut away everything but the left front fender and started to make a model of the buck. I'll be basing it on the design that Wray posted a while ago. The neat thing about this setup is that we should be able to flip the cross sections on the main spline to come up with the opposite side. It will make more sense when I can post pics. This buck will be able to knock down and be easy to ship just like the furniture from IKEA. I'll need a few more days to finish, but I think this will work out real good.

J.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Got a call from an Alibre sales engineer today inviting me to a free online demo of the product. I'll invest the 30-45 minute. I explained what we were doing and that I was just a hobbist. He didn't care and invited anyone else to sign up. I told him I'd post this email and he'd probably get a bunch of calls. They run this demo all the time...

I expect there is a sales pitch in there somewhere to upgrade to the paid version.. (no thanks, we don't want the condo...we just came for the free cookware... LOL)

Hello Kerry,

In response to feedback from our trial users we have implemented a time-saving way to learn more about Alibre Design.

You are invited to a free, live 30-45 minute online demonstration created by the Alibre Design Training Department. We will show you the entire Alibre Design product and answer any technical questions. By the end of the demonstration you will be able to fully understand if Alibre Design is the right 3D parametric CAD solution for you. We also offer a discount and free training to those that attend these demonstrations.

Please contact me as soon as possible to reserve a seat for one of our demonstrations online and receive a discount offer on any Alibre Design product with free training.

You can also schedule another time for a live presentation on your own. https://www.alibre.com/products/schedule-demo.aspx. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Ryan Montgomery
Sales Engineer
Alibre
877-525-4273, ext. 264

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Gene Olsen and I just partipated in the Alibre demo. Pretty neat stuff. Gene can talk about the capabilities for surfaces but it's pretty obvious that it's a pretty powerful tool.

As expected, the express version does not include some 'want to have' features. Their full featured version (professional) costs $1500 but is half price to those who have downloaded express.

For $1800 you get the Expert version that includes the CAM interfaces and more. All this is described on their web site www.Alibre.com Gene asked if the you could get the pro version and pay the $300 for the Expert upgrade. They will get back to us on that.

Couple things is all their training is online and mentored but they also have a self paced CD version for $200. 12 hours of CDs 4 I think he said.

This is interesting enough to me, I'm going to devote some time to go through the tutorials for Express and for $700 it MIGHT make sense for me....

The demo is a worthwhile excercise for anyone interested in CAD. Wray has preached about this enough I guess I'm beginning to think about perhaps considering evaluating the possibility that it might be something that could potentially offer value to me..... LOL


One thing it won't do well is flowing surfaces. Rhino is a better fit. As Gene observed, if you have to pay $1500 for Rhino and $1500 for Alibre, you are in the same range as Solidworks so why mess with two packages....