Google SketchUp free version

[karnage]

Not really sure what you mean Jesse. Sketchup doesnt handle curves, it only creates polygons, but you can specify the number of sides. I fint when using the curve tool, its handy to draw guidelines first and then draw the curve between the intersecions.

[oldgoaly]

Hmmmm Thought I could do a screen capture and be able to post a pic, could still be some operator error going on..... but it's not behaving normal.

[oldgoaly]

2010_12_10_20_17_33.jpg

used a different screen capture program.

[60 convert]

as you look at the pulmax drawing you can see what i am talking about. sketchup does not allow you to blend corners very well
Jesse

[greenbaja]

i have been using sketchup for a while now .....i really like it ...it does make simple shapes really easilly and quickly ...the more complex , the harder ...until u begin to find shortcuts ...using groups and components correctly will save u a TON of headaches !!!! .... the thing i love best about it is the rotate tool ...i am making a set of aluminum steps that have to fold up and fit into a 6" tall box ...i am able to build them to scale AND fold them to make sure everything clears ...for stuff like that its tough to beat ..
the only prob i have is trying to send someone a file from it ....i can only seem to send screen captures unless the person has sketchup ....its not very export friendly

[oldgoaly]

Thanks for jumping in Vinnie! there are some good points to SU and some...... frustrating ones! Did find a couple of help you get going in SU.
http://pages.uoregon.edu/graphics/re..._and_links.pdf
http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~mjb/sketchup/mjbsketchup-2pp.pdf
and a 22meg manual here http://www.mediafire.com/?gnczhzmznlx
Hope this helps! and cuts down on the factor!

[Richard K]

Any number of vendors have free or cheap CAD programs. As a rule you get what you pay for, and conversely dont get what you havent paid for.

I Used a 2D program called DRAFIX in the early 80s. Cost about $330 and did what I expected. Later on I switched to TURBOCAD as it was geared to the Windows interface. I bought version 1 for about $50 and paid again and again for upgrades thru version 12. Again it was a good program. I dont want to think what I spent on it in total. But then my tool bill for the past 20 years is not something I need to know either.

Along the way I tried a variety of "free" and "trial" versions of Intellicad, Alibre, Visicad, Punch Viacad, and some others. They all were free and sucked because the good stuff had been stripped away or made inaccessible. "Buy the real version and you will love it" was the salesmans song.

Turbocad still works ok but the interface is dated and the 3D part is a bit cumbersome in order to make everything backward compatible.

Two weeks ago I decided to update my CAD capabilities. I want to have easy to use 3D design, ability to cut out cross sections, specify materials for piece parts, rotate and pan easily, pop out a short video of the design, have ability to print in any way I please not some sucky method some software engineer decides he likes. Dimensioning is important, print a part in 2D views Isometric and perspective on the same sheet with MY title block, different scales on the same page. The list goes on.

And good support and lessons to learn the product.

I ended up with Alibre Proffesional at about $1000. They put a package together including training support and maintaince. I am using now, there is a bit of new stuff to learn. So far and I am confident the software is exactly what I was looking for.

I know Solidworks and some others are very nice, but I did not have several thousand dollars to spend. I know a cou-le of engineers who are able to "steal a copy" for me but I get upset when people like Clay Cook and Loren Richards steal designs from me, so I will not go there. Besides what do you do for support and upgrades. Baby you are on your own.

Alibre also has a home version for $99 on sale now. It is limited, limited and limited. but you can apply the purchase price toward the professiol or expert product.

I have used Sketchup also. the free version. Seems to be real dandy at first; then you find out you can't do stuff you want to. Then it too sucks!