easiest cad software ???

[mba7]

hi everybody

i am designing a robot system head/neck/arm

and i want to know if there is an easy cad software to use (i will use motor gear chain)

if there is any example to help i'll be pleased too

thx

[ArcMan]

I have to plug Google Sketchup - a 3D drawing package.  I love this software.  I designed my yard robot with it.  It's free and the learning curve isn't too bad.  Plus the 3D warehouse has 1000's of useful components that can be used for a robot design.  I added several of my own components to the warehouse.

[Xone G0D]

Hmm,
        I use many, but I use Rhino 3D the most, and love it. It seems that I when someone sends me a file Its just easier to work on it with Rhino, and then send it in their format, something Rhino does natively.

   The learning curve is rather low, its very intuitive and it performs many tasks that no other SINGLE software does; Such as, convertions between most formats, it provides the ability to export your work in common rapid-prototyping languages, it allows for homemade 3d scanners* to be used/accepted, it will allow for a large design pipeline with many people working on the models at the same time, Where autocad sucks your puter to a crawl Rhino seems to skip along like a 2kb exe... the list goes on.  I hate to sound like some kind of Rhino Salesman, however This program is definitely worth your consideration. It just does so much and its soo inexpensive.  The absolute most awesome part is how you spend most of your time designing and being creative... Not learning stupid CAD software. 

  Its not that expensive... and it gives you a trial version that you can Down load for free.  and there other ways of getting it, if you want to play with it or do non-profit projects, PM me if you want to know. but if you want to get it for free and make money off it, I suggest to buy it, otherwise they will die off, and I will be very sad, nai I say angry. 

http://www.rhino3d.com/


..X..

* I usually just make prototype parts using modeling clay, stick it in the freezer and scann it.  Makes quick work, quicker. and if you are into Reverse engineering, Again a Must get... they make it soo easy to do.

[mba7]

thx a lot for your replies,

i think that i will try Google sketchup now, since i need something free, easy to use and with samples that i could work on

i'll post my opinions later

[airman00]

http://narobo.com/articles/Sketchup.html

[Xone G0D]

 Rhino has a trial version which is free.. all it does is put a watermark on your screen, and certain complex features are turned off. LIke the ability to export to your Rapid-prototyper, or the ability to use certain plug-ins.  Oh, well. I hope you like Sketchup. Its easy like legos.


..X..

[Half Shell]

I have to plug Google Sketchup - a 3D drawing package.  I love this software.  I designed my yard robot with it.  It's free and the learning curve isn't too bad.  Plus the 3D warehouse has 1000's of useful components that can be used for a robot design.  I added several of my own components to the warehouse.

I tried Google Sketchup for technical drawings a long time ago and found it to be lacking. But if you have 1000s of components already made, this sounds really impressive. Did they add more features to the software to make it a decent CAD program? I'll be checking it out later!

I'll also pose this to the forum - what's the best LINUX CAD program?

[Metal Slug 2]

Thanks for the advice about Google sketchup.  I downloaded it.  I think it would be great for the general designing of things, just to get a visual perspective of what something may look like.

[Admin]

I think a better question is which software can you afford?

[Metal Slug 2]

I think a better question is which software can you afford?

you can find some cheap CAD software right here: http://www.theshareru.com/1.htm
or you might be able to find some programs on a torrent site

[BANE]

Solid Works if you can afford it

Bane

[silo_xtreme]

I agree Solid Works.


it's about ~$100 if you're a student, just don't ask my how much I paid for mine.