Anyone running cad?

[Flying freak]

Hi

I know nothing abut cad but would like to start designing some stuff the only experience i have is with illustrator which is completely different. i don't want to spend 1000$ on a cad program what could you guys recommended? I would like to be able to make wings fuses and other various things both foam wings and built up..

please suggest a simple/cheap cad program that works on vista.

Thank you

Steven

[Matchless]

Freak, I don't use Vista, but I do all my design work in TurboCad 2D. Got it as a free download. Have never needed anything more....

However, designing airplanes and running CAD are two different things..... Nothing wrong with making templates by drawing on good old paper : )

[Flying freak]

Can you get 3d views with it? does ti ahve an airfoil database?

Steven

[zx32tt]

Take a look at Compufoil. It has a built in airfoil generator for all naca airfoils and more. You can download a trial version. There is other software available, specifically developed for us modelers.
Z

[Matchless]

Freak, TurboCad does have a version which does 3d views (not a free version) but it does not have an airfoil database. I draw most of my own foils anyway, so I don't do much in that way.

Tracfoil used to be a very good program for airfoil and wing generation. I need to see if its still out there.......

[rcpilot82]

I have been using cad for over 11 years now. I run AutoCAD 2002. it can do anything in 2d and 3d. if your going to get into CNC or solid modeling you would probally want solidworks or Autodesk Inventor. granted those programs are not cheap, but you can "find" copies on share-networks such as u-torrent. IMO Autocad is the way to go for 2d but not for 3d.

[SlowHuck]

After a lot of research, I opted for TurboCad v14. I later upgraded with the CAM plug-in. My application is to generate G-code for my Sherline CNC tools for the fabrication and short-run manufacture of small parts. The setup (software alone) cost me around $350 total. I've seen it list for upwards of $1300 directly from the developer, but careful shopping on ebay will get you a better deal.

It does what I need and more. It has an excellent suite of 3D tools and a plug-in architecture to extend its capabilities into specialized applications. It works well in 2D and 3D and integrated the two environments well. Not bad for $350.

For many more thousands of dollars, I could have invested in AutoCad and the associated CAM software to reach the same end. Perhaps faster and with less head-scratching. There are aspects of the AutoCad interface that make is a more efficient tool than TC. The cost difference reflects the size of their respective user bases and the amount of professional high-level support of AC verses TC. And also the maturity of the AutoCad platform.

On a hobbyist level, where half the fun is figgerin' it out, I'd say Turbocad wins. If you have to just Git 'er Done, then Autocad has the lead. This all presumes that you are on Windows. The answer for Mac OS would be a WHOLE 'nother story!

[Gus155]

as far as airfoils, Compufoil, Profili are pretty good. 2d drawing nothing much better than Autocad or Solidedge,
3d modeling Autodesk Inventor or Solidworks.

[zx32tt]

The thing I found usefull with Compufoil, was its ability to generate rib patterns for taperd wings, with all the spar notches etc, very easily. Not so easy with ACAD or SolidWorks.
Z

[3D-Seth]

I worked with Autodesk Inventor Pro 11 at school. So easy to make anything that you wanted. I even made a hair dryer housing for one of my projects . . . Not the cheapest program, but from what I've used, it is by far the simplest.

Seth