drawing program

[ctraugh]

I like inventor and AutoCAD. Their both great programs. Solidworks is another really good program. The problem is, all 3 are rather expensive programs for the hobbyist. I am currently in college learning all these programs, my major is CAD AAS. I would love to have all three of them. My favorite at the moment is AutoCAD.

[AlphaRunner85]

there is a decent one called freecad... its harder to learn than autocad but you dont riska $250,000 copyright infringement suit. i say from a close call involving a few xbox360 games...

BUT inventor with the stress test is wicked!

[Hybrid]

You can use AutoCAD (my favorite since I know it very well and use it everyday for work), Inventor, Solidworks, Maya, 3D Studio Max, just about any 3d program. Problem is acquiring the programs. If you are good enough you can find a good torrent which will run right and have a keygen. Or you can use google sketchup for free (I never really understood how to use it because it is so much less technical than AutoCAD I don't like how unexact it can be (or maybe I haven't fooled around with it enough).

[Sikosis]

I am pretty new tot the forum and Sketchup is pretty good except you can't seperate layers. I have also been looking for a decent 3d design program but it is just for my kart idea so I am not really interested in buying it

[ctraugh]

There is another alternative. TurboCAD is decent and its cheap. You can get the 2d program for under $150. Its different from AutoCAD, but it still produces accurate drawings.

[The Mechtician]

Originally Posted by Hybrid

You can use AutoCAD (my favorite since I know it very well and use it everyday for work), Inventor, Solidworks, Maya, 3D Studio Max, just about any 3d program. Problem is acquiring the programs. If you are good enough you can find a good torrent which will run right and have a keygen. Or you can use google sketchup for free (I never really understood how to use it because it is so much less technical than AutoCAD I don't like how unexact it can be (or maybe I haven't fooled around with it enough).

I can't really figure out SketchUp either, glad I'm not alone It was originally designed as an architectural tool, so maybe that's why it's so difficult to work with on smaller things like cars & motorbikes. There's some amazingly detailed models for download in the online library, but they're like lego models compared to solidworks or inventor models.

For go kart frame design, a 3D tool is overkill. There are many 2D tools out there, for free or close to it, that will do the job and be easier to learn. Some 2D tools even offer FEA features for testing your designs! If you're new to CAD design, start with 2D, you'll thank yourself later and you're also less likely to be overwhelmed & quit lol!

EDIT; A quick Googling produced several links to DrafSight 2D CAD, a new product from Dassault Systems (The makers of SolidWorks). It's apparently free for professionals, students and educators. Looks pretty awesome, probably worth a try!

[devino246]

Originally Posted by The Mechtician

For go kart frame design, a 3D tool is overkill.

Yes and no. If your building a simple non suspension ladder frame kart, then yes. But if you want a full suspension mini-buggy, then a 3D program is very useful. It lets you experiment with suspension geometry, see bump-steer, and strength test the frame before you even step into the garage.

[The Mechtician]

Originally Posted by devino246

if you want a full suspension mini-buggy, then a 3D program is very useful. It lets you experiment with suspension geometry, see bump-steer, and strength test the frame before you even step into the garage.

Agreed it's all about using the right tool for the job.

[EMClinux]

the pirate bay. is a good place

[Rustydog2010]

And highly illegal, in most countries. Almost not worth the risk anymore.

Jeremy.

[will1384]

Originally Posted by 1992suburban

MS PAINT lol.. just kiddin

I use Microsoft Paint all the time to design stuff, its
the easiest and simple thing to use quickly.

Some easy to use programs to look into.

Gimp
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program, it runs
on Linux, Mac, and Windows.

Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software, but
only runs on Windows and will not work with Wine
under Linux.

Inkscape
An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities
similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X.

WinTopo Raster to Vector Converter
WinTopo can take image files, and convert them to DXF,
there is a working Free and a Paid Pro version.

Solid Edge 2D Free
Solid Edge 2D Drafting is a free 2D CAD program, that
is simple and easy to use, however the 3D version is
several thousand dollars, and registration is required
to use the free version.

Sprocketeer
Sprocket Gcode and DXF creator.

DeltaCad
DeltaCad is a cheap and easy to use 2D CAD program.

CadStd
CadStd is cheap and easy to use 2D CAD / drafting
program, with a usable free version, and paid Pro version.

Big Blue Saw's DXF Export For Inkscape
DXF plugin for Inkscape.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
A vector graphics editor, like a super version of
Microsoft Paint but using Vector in place of Raster,
its a more complicated and is not cheap.

[Foppi]

I have used auto cad 2009, someone mentioned how it pick up stress points in your design? How does one do this?

[devino246]

Originally Posted by Foppi

I have used auto cad 2009, someone mentioned how it pick up stress points in your design? How does one do this?

If I had used it recently and still had it installed id explain it but i dont and forget how Try using the help center.

[slowpoke]

I just recently found FreeCAD. Its an open source software application that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik...itle=Main_Page

[Jed142]

I just installed Solidworks 2011-2012 student version from my uni. It's easy to get overwhelmed if you dont start off with some tutorials and rage quit as The Mechtician said. but once you start learning it, its soo awesome, great program. Having said that those other 2D progs sounds good to get your deisgn started!

I'm new and keen to get started with a design in Solidworks. just need to find the time! ><

[alteran]

you guys can get a free full lisents at http://students.autodesk.com/ and you can get a bunch of programs for free and you can aply even if your not at scoole

[dmaznic]

I used Autocad R14 (1998) for full 3D modeling. As noted before, modern programs offer stress analysis, geometrical simulations and great rendering. These features are good if there is no idea about how the kart will work. However, even the more complicated go-karts and buggies are usually simple enough.

[DBaker]

I work with Solidworks at my job, it's a very simple program to learn with the tutorials.
you can also set a lot of keyboard shortcuts to accelerate the drawing of parts, and assemblies.
But still, hand drafting can be quick as well on quad sheets.
When I built my frame, I used the plans on this site which I modified a bit and used masking tape on my garage floor to confirm the frame dimensions.

[jeremy schmidt]

I use TurboCAD. I have never used any other so i'm not saying TurboCAD is the greatest, but i like it. i have v12 3d. really 3d is a pain. and will1384, how do you draw to exact dimensions? count pixels?