What software are you guy's using?

[NormS]

Dave/Rob, thanks a lot for the info and encouragement. It could be a while before I've got a prototyped design to publish but I'll post status, if there is any.
Thanks a lot.
NormS

[classclown]

Am learning Solidworks right now.

[esc]

Good for you Classclown. How are you finding the learning curve?

Are you planning on designing any models when you have come to grips with the software or do you have another use in mind?

Good luck,

Dave

[classclown]

Thanks Dave. So far so good. I'm learning it quite well. I work for a small UAV outfit here in Virginia, and my boss is pushing this on me, and I am not complaining. He's already asking me to come up with ideas. He's all about me playing with the program and designing stuff for myself, so that I can learn the program in my own way, with his help. Really excited about it!!! One of my projects is a set of wings for my 50cc Aeroworks 260. Its got an 85" wingspan. I plan on giving it an 87 or 88" wingspan by drawing up a completely new set of wings. But its gonna be a while. Right now, I have a half built Trex 600 helicopter, which I plan on making parts for. I figured on a conversion kit to swap out the .50 OS Hyper to an OS 70 Hyper. Nice little exercise. Designing the main gear is kicking my ass. The tail is no problem as I will be cheating by swapping out the 600 tail boom and tranny with one from the Trex 700, torque tube and all. Outta be fun to fly!!! Wish me luck! Steve

[esc]

Hi Steve,

You sound to have a lot going on at once. All new software, in particular solid modellers, have a steep learning curve at the start but it soon begins to level out once you have got past the basics. You can reckon on about 3 months before you will feel nicely comfortable with it, and then 6-12 months to be really competent.

The initial curve can seem to be incredibly steep because you have the pressures of a commercial environment to meet. Your need to master the software quickly, and of course you have the personal challenge of not wanting to let anyone down.

You are definitely going about it the right way though - having specific goals in mind will spur you on to experiment and you will learn faster because of it. Just playing around with non-specific models will only reinforce what you already know. Yours is the fastest route to competency.

Your UAV outfit sound like a good interesting job - combining your hobby with work, how good is that! I am jealous.

It's obviously early days for you yet but please come back and post some of your work, I would love to see what you are doing.

We do have some very good people on this forum that have years of experience with SolidWorks - not me unfortunately. You will find that they will have faced similar or identical prolems to yourself in the past and can probably offer solutions.

You don't need to ask me to wish you luck - you know I do!

Regards,

Dave

[classclown]

Thanks Dave. Yes, I can't wait to get really fluid with the program. Too many ideas, too little time. I will post some stuff as soon as I get better on it. Stay tuned!!! Steve