|
Old CAD was much harder than new CAD. The fundamental problem to keep in your head with the new CAD systems like Fusion is "What would I need to physically do to make this part?" A square block of metal with a hole punched through it essentially becomes a box with a hole punched through it. But the nomenclature is slightly (only slightly - not majorly) more complicated. You would create a square on a work plane, additive extrude it into a box, then select one of the faces of that box, draw a circle on it, and subtract extrude it to make a hole. 0,0,0 automatically has X, Y, and Z work planes attached to it to begin the process. Once you understand that, more complicated stuff becomes fairly easy. When watching videos keep that question in the back of your mind and it should make them easier to understand if the video is any good at all.
|
|
|
|
|
What are your thoughts on Adafruit?
When I think about what you do, I think Adafruit and the CEO Limor Fried.
CAD design, all sorts of 3d printing and board production, programming, etc. They do most of their design and production in-house, I think.
Of course, this has nothing to do with you wanting more/better CAD skills; just mentioning. 
|
|
|
|
|
Adafruit is a bit pricey, but they produce a lot of open source hardware and software, so I appreciate them.
To err is human. Fortune favors the monsters.
|
|
|
|
|
I second OG's recommendation of Fusion 360. I started looking at 3D printing simply to make custom boxes for electronic projects, but have since made telescope addons, adaptors for monitor mounts, headphone hooks and dozens of other things (I've never got around to making the boxes!  )
I keep my 3D printer in a room our 6 cats are mostly kept out of, so the cat hair isn't a problem, but I keep intending to build an enclosure, for the same reasons OG has one.
My wish is that I was better at CAD, since I'm self-taught mostly from Youtube videos and feel I should learn more about the commands I've never used.
My other wish is for a free (or cheap) stress analysis program for anisotropic materials. Most programs are expensive and, in any event, only work well with isotropic materials, where the properties are the same in all directions. FDM printed items are built in layers, so, like wood, have different properties in different directions.
|
|
|
|
|
I use Rhino3d and AC3D. Both cost, but worth it for me. Rhino is especially easy to use given it's excellent tutorials, but not cheap. The other options have been provided by others, so check those out first. I seem to recall an earlier query from you on this topic, but not relevant, you have a need.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
|
|
|
|
|
I may have had a specific question in the past. I don't remember. However, this was more just a general desire rather than any specific ask.
I've heard a lot of people recommend Fusion360 so I'll probably give it a go one of these days, but we'll see.
To err is human. Fortune favors the monsters.
|
|
|
|
|
I agree
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
|
|
|
|
|
The last firm I engineered for got me AutoCAD LT, then refused to send me to any training. I got fairly good at laying out a dimensioned assembly good enough to order substation steel and foundations, and have all the pieces I designed fit together, but that's about all. I never learned how to make annotations work, or how to create standard drawing sheets with all the approvals and stuff, primarily because they demanded everything be done as fast as it would have been if we'd farmed out the design to consultants. When I bought 20 acres in AZ, I bought my own copy, and still have it because I keep forgetting to cancel the autorenew thingy. I'm still not much good at it for lack of any practice.
I tried out DraftSight years ago, but gave up on it. There is nothing intuitive about it, and back then there were no tutorials I could find. They also had no pricing I could afford. I'm told they now offer low cost versions for hobbyists, and the online training has expanded greatly. They also have a big brother 3D version that has its own pricing structure, but they seem to be willing to dicker.
Both are great products, but very challenging to learn without training. Don't even get me started on ESRI ArcGIS - been that route, too, and you could build a Master degree program on learning to use that stuff!
Will Rogers never met me.
|
|
|
|
|
I have lately been using the free version of SketchUp (online version 2022, offline the 2017) and it is pretty easy to use.
It is probably not enough to do what you would like to do, but to start with 3D and get some practice is pretty good.
It needs registration, but you can use the online version just for "fun" tests without having to install anything.
Edit: I have seen that you are just ranting about the skills. But skills are trainable, that's why I have told you this (a possibility to practice without installing anything)
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
|
|
|
|
|
Have you tried it? It's Computer Aided after all.
You're sharp, you can do it.
|
|
|
|
|
I use AC3D and Rhino3D. Not free for sure, but they handle all CAD requirements.
Rhino3D has an excellent tutorial which interns (new to CAD) seem to like and progress.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
|
|
|
|
|
I wish I were better with USD. 
|
|
|
|
|
Could a Proctologist be considered an Analyst?
I'll show myself out
PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - An updated version available!
JaxCoder.com
|
|
|
|
|
Using the rule of the thumb index finger, I would say - yes.
Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
|
|
|
|
|
You ask the most probing questions...
If you can't laugh at yourself - ask me and I will do it for you.
|
|
|
|
|
LOL 
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
|
|
|
|
|
English language never fails to punish us.
"A little time, a little trouble, your better day"
Badfinger
|
|
|
|
|
Now i know i are a programmer as i enjoyed those jokes Very puny .
|
|
|
|
|
Seems like your joke level has hit the bottom now... 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
-
The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
-
Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark Twain
|
|
|
|
|
Check out this MS Office365 graphic that shows how many people can use your Office365 (snapshot with highlights[^]). 
So 6 people can have it, but only 5 people can simultaneously use it??? 
Rocket Science & Brain Surgery are easy. Licensing, on the other hand...
|
|
|
|
|
My reading of the license is that 6 people can use it, and each of those 6 people can be logged in on up to 5 devices simultaneously. I know that my family license for it is normally logged in on anywhere from 10 to 12 devices across 5 different users.
|
|
|
|
|
RDM Jr wrote: My reading of the license is that 6 people can use it, and each of those 6 people can be logged in on up to 5 devices simultaneously.
Oh, ok, that makes a lot more sense. Hahaha...I'm definitely not a Rocket-Scientist/Brain-Surgeon. 
|
|
|
|
|
Did they increase member number, I remembered max 5 users. And every user can have the applications on 5 devices.
|
|
|
|
|
I'm not sure. It's just a very odd licensing to me. 6 people but only 5 devices.
And I think "simultaneously" means "installed" but maybe doesn't mean running concurrently.
Licensing, the new Rocket-Science/Brain-Surgery. 
|
|
|
|
|
raddevus wrote: Rocket Science & Brain Surgery are easy. Licensing, on the other hand...
The first are scientific fields, the later was made because of lawyers...  
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
