Mechanical drawing or CAD pgm
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Colorado
Mechanical drawing or CAD pgm
I'm seeking suggestions for a basic mechanical drawing or CAD software program. I want something you would buy for your junior high age daughter if she came home one day and told you she was interested in learning about drawing and CAD. I want something that has an easy learning curve and can provide some measure of initial success so the kid isn't just overwelmed with techno-talk and lingo and loses interest. The computer is a 2 GHz Pent 4M w/256 RAM operating with MS XP Pro. Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 519
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From: CT
Wow...today's kids.
What does she want to draw/design?
I'd look for a no frills package that has lines,horz,vert,parallel,angle,perpendicular,tange nt
circles,arcs, trim intersection of, trim both, trim to....
Then some basic detailing.
Old versions of Computervision (GCD3) and CADKEY come to mind.
Buying them would be prohibitive but they are easy to use for 2-D part drawing most designers I know have a few of these packages just laying around collecting dust -- if you know any designers ask'em they might give it to you -- CADKEY might have a free download available --once you learn one package or how to draw/design/engineer on a computer its not to difficult to learn other packages.
Give your daughter a well done detail drawing and have her reproduce it (dimensioned drawing so she can recreate it) fastest way I know to learn a CAD package.
What does she want to draw/design?
I'd look for a no frills package that has lines,horz,vert,parallel,angle,perpendicular,tange nt
circles,arcs, trim intersection of, trim both, trim to....
Then some basic detailing.
Old versions of Computervision (GCD3) and CADKEY come to mind.
Buying them would be prohibitive but they are easy to use for 2-D part drawing most designers I know have a few of these packages just laying around collecting dust -- if you know any designers ask'em they might give it to you -- CADKEY might have a free download available --once you learn one package or how to draw/design/engineer on a computer its not to difficult to learn other packages.
Give your daughter a well done detail drawing and have her reproduce it (dimensioned drawing so she can recreate it) fastest way I know to learn a CAD package.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
I'd suggest looking for an older version of AutoCad Lite such as 2000 or V14. You can find it used, perhaps on ebay or at a college book store or maybe other book store. These should not eat into your wallet too much. Beware however; I've got AutoCad 2000 full along with XO Pro and it doesn't want to load. However, I also noticed that the compatibility wizard in XP Pro might address this. I began to load it, saw it looked like it was going to take it, but decided to hold off until some other issues are resolved. I also visited Autodesk and read that they are not offering support on older versions, so beware.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Southern, NJ U.S.A.
Give your daughter a well done detail drawing and have her reproduce it (dimensioned drawing so she can recreate it) fastest way I know to learn a CAD package. [/B][/QUOTE]
I've been working with Autocad for 10 years and have messed around with microstation. I would go to ebay and get an autocad program, the version isn't going to matter much in the beginning if she is just learning. I prefer autocad 2002. You can problably go to a local architect or engineering firm and ask them if they wouldn't mind copying a working drawing or two for her to go by. It is the easiest way to learn. or get a couple of pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper and rough sketch the walls of your house, the go back with a tape and measure everything, when its done you can go to a printer and have it printed on 24x36 inch paper and maybe frame it. she might really get into it.
I've been working with Autocad for 10 years and have messed around with microstation. I would go to ebay and get an autocad program, the version isn't going to matter much in the beginning if she is just learning. I prefer autocad 2002. You can problably go to a local architect or engineering firm and ask them if they wouldn't mind copying a working drawing or two for her to go by. It is the easiest way to learn. or get a couple of pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper and rough sketch the walls of your house, the go back with a tape and measure everything, when its done you can go to a printer and have it printed on 24x36 inch paper and maybe frame it. she might really get into it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
You can download Intellicad for free. I would not consider it to be a basic program. I play with it once in awhile when I want to drive myself nuts. 
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
What about teaching her how to manually draw plans, with proper drafting tools first? My Dad always told me, "Learn it the hard way first, then the easy way, so you know how and why the easy way works." I always thought I had the upper hand when I was CAD drafting because I knew, in my mind, how I'd draw the plans on paper, and with those thoughts, transfer it over to CAD.
But if you strictly want to teach her CAD, then I'd go with AutoCad Lite. This is was I learned on in high school, and if you can control a mouse, know the basic line commands, it's a breeze. Do they offer an engineering or architecture class at her future high school? Have her take it as an elective to see if she really likes it. I was dead set on choosing computer programming as my career, until I took an architecture class as an elective my senior year. Life has never been the same since.
I agree with Sinjin about Microstation, a little too harsh on a beginning user. Heck I thought Microstation was a tool Satan when I first tried to use it!
But if you strictly want to teach her CAD, then I'd go with AutoCad Lite. This is was I learned on in high school, and if you can control a mouse, know the basic line commands, it's a breeze. Do they offer an engineering or architecture class at her future high school? Have her take it as an elective to see if she really likes it. I was dead set on choosing computer programming as my career, until I took an architecture class as an elective my senior year. Life has never been the same since.
I agree with Sinjin about Microstation, a little too harsh on a beginning user. Heck I thought Microstation was a tool Satan when I first tried to use it!
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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I use IntelliCad, I bought my first package for $20 on clearance. It is the closest to full blown AutoCad that I have seen but my version has a few bugs that I have been able to work around. AutoSketch was too limited for my needs. I have some newer versions of AutoCad available to me but I am not licensed for them so I don't use them except for an occasional reference check to make sure my IntelliCad is 100% compatible.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Magrath
AutoCad is the most common and probably the most user friendly. You can get a student version for relativly cheap. Pending what she is going to do with it, there are many different options. I personally use Microstation with Eaglepoint the most, but learned on AutoCadd.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 222
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From: Cumming, GA
AutoCAD lite is a great program. I've used it for school for 3 years. It's not frilly or anything, and it does take a little bit to learn your way around it, but after that its easy. ProDesktop is also an option, since it allows for 3D drawing. It's also real easy to use, but after using AutoCAD ProDesktop seems more like a toy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: N. Florida - The "No 4x4
CandleCad Pro
Here is what I learned on. It still comes in handy for special projects. Oh, and it is ~very~ affordably priced.
HTH.
Here is what I learned on. It still comes in handy for special projects. Oh, and it is ~very~ affordably priced.
HTH.
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