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treacheroustexan
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Can anyone recommend a good, absolutely free 2d cad program I can use for work?
The CAD thread
- Thread starter treacheroustexan
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Help Support Homebrew Talk:
First thing that comes to mind is sketchup, but without knowing what you want to do with it...
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treacheroustexan
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I have sketchup in mind, but really no specific purpose. Random projects. Stairs, blow molding machine parts, plumbing.. Just kind of whatever project I have going on at the time haha.
kev211
Well-Known Member
Don't know if you can get a free version of it (maybe a trial) but for the machine parts solid works or rhino comes to mind. I don't know squat about solid works so couldn't tell you about the 2d capabilities. Sketchup actually now has a 2d layout program that is free and works with sketchup to create drawings (including a stair builder)
I've loaded Draftsight just to be able to read some older CAD files. We design in 3D now, but have lots of old drawings from Autocad, and some customers use Autocad. Some of our design people wanted a free program to read those files without having to own a license for Autocad.
About the only thing I've done is hide layers and insert lines on plant layouts for wiring. One guy says it's pretty much like Autocad.
If it's just for figuring things out or communicating dimensions to other people, sketchup can handle it just fine. I use it for that a lot and I wish there was a way to dimension lock it (maybe there is and I'm lame), but it's intuitive 3d nature slows me down.
If you need the output file to be a DWG that can be loaded into a CNC machine, the best free one I've used is Solidedge. It's basically a crippled version of their 3D software that is used as a marketing tool but it's fully functional in 2D.
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treacheroustexan
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Thanks all. I'l check a coupe of them out! I had no idea you could do 2d in sketchup.
Edit: Just played around in sketchup making some random 2d drawings and I really really really like it. User friendly and can do what I need it to. Then it makes it super easy to create a 3d model of it.
Edit: Just played around in sketchup making some random 2d drawings and I really really really like it. User friendly and can do what I need it to. Then it makes it super easy to create a 3d model of it.
NickTheGreat
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Draftsight acts, looks, tastes and smells just like AutoCAD 
i've tried to make the push to use it at work instead of AutoCAD (we're 3D anyways) but haven't won that battle . . . yet
i've tried to make the push to use it at work instead of AutoCAD (we're 3D anyways) but haven't won that battle . . . yet
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treacheroustexan
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Thought some of you guys might be interested in this. 3d printing from your smartphone.
I am a backer on kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/olo3d/olo-the-first-ever-smartphone-3d-printer
I am a backer on kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/olo3d/olo-the-first-ever-smartphone-3d-printer
BrewerBrad82
Well-Known Member
Holy hell, mind blown!!! That is incredible. I really want to get one, but I cannot justify it as I already have a RepRap printer...
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treacheroustexan
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Yeah mind blown but it seems to good to be true. The videos are absolutely incredible lol. I may end up canceling my pledge and waiting for the official release. I don't see it actually shipping in september like it is estimated. But then again, for $99 what is there to lose? (other than $99)
Which printer do you have? I'm looking to (not buy one yet) but learn more about it and maybe get one in a few years.
kev211
Well-Known Member
That thing is pretty slick. If my friend (who constantly eats my food and drinks my beer) didnt have a 3D printer that I had access to (I make tap handles, he drinks my beer
), I would buy one. But still pretty freaking cool
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treacheroustexan
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That thing is pretty slick. If my friend (who constantly eats my food and drinks my beer) didnt have a 3D printer that I had access to (I make tap handles, he drinks my beer
Never thought about the tap handle idea. I might have some work to do...
BrewerBrad82
Well-Known Member
I purchased a kit that I built myself. Its a Prusa I3.
http://www.geeetech.com/geeetech-aluminum-prusa-i3-3d-printer-kit-p-944.html
I opted for the aluminum frame for extra stability, but you can get kits that are made of acrylic for much cheaper (under $200). Once built, there is a bit of a learning curve with all the various slicer software and firmware edits needed to calibrate the printer for high quality and dimensionally accurate parts.
BrewerBrad82
Well-Known Member
I printed a ton of these for my brewing friends:
Here is the Thingiverse page for the .STL file:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1286779
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treacheroustexan
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That's awesome! I just saw this one.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26267
Was going to try to put my "brewery" name on it and print it at work.
kev211
Well-Known Member
Ya, super fun/easy to do. All you have to do is buy These threaded inserts to attach to the faucet (also available on McMaster Carr)
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treacheroustexan
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I'm far too obsessed with 3d printing already.
What in the world am I going to do with all of these cookie cutters?
On the brightside, last night I made a very very simple tap handle model with my "brewery name" and I'm printing it out now just because my mind is curious.
What in the world am I going to do with all of these cookie cutters?
On the brightside, last night I made a very very simple tap handle model with my "brewery name" and I'm printing it out now just because my mind is curious.
unviewtiful
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Has anyone here used any of the new cloud based CAD programs such as Fusion 360 (Autodesk), 3DExperience (Dessault/Solidworks) or OnShape? If so, what did you think of them? How do they compare to traditional 3D CAD programs such as Solidworks, Inventor, or Creo?
theDREWery
Well-Known Member
I've used OnShape, and it's pretty much Solidworks. Buttons are a little different, some features are a little harder to use, and I get a little lag rendering models sometimes. Pretty much what I expected from a cloud based program.
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treacheroustexan
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Need some advice from you all. I have an internal job interview in a few weeks for a design engineering position with the company I am with. I would be designing new bottles and machine tooling in Catia. I have little experience, but am well liked within my company and do a great job in my current role so I think my chances are pretty good. Since I have such little experience, does anyone have any tips I could use in my interview? Should I make a small portfolio of some of my personal drawings I have done? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
SpahrBrewing
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I'd say if you're well liked within the company, go and ask someone from that department to mentor you when time permits. You said the interview is in a couple weeks; that isn't a ton of time, but it gives you some time to learn the way the company prefers that type of design work to be done, the software and any other questions you might have.
Not only does this give you a good foundation for that specific field, it should look like a great deal of initiative to the company that you've sought a mentor to better yourself and definitely work more in your favor.
I have no direct experience in that specific field, just general knowledge on seeking promotions and the likes.
Good luck.
Not only does this give you a good foundation for that specific field, it should look like a great deal of initiative to the company that you've sought a mentor to better yourself and definitely work more in your favor.
I have no direct experience in that specific field, just general knowledge on seeking promotions and the likes.
Good luck.
rmiranda
Member
In addition to above, make sure during the interview that you make it clear that you want to learn. They probably don't expect you to be an expert. Just be upfront that you have a lot to learn - and you're passionate about learning.
TheCADJockey
ALL YOUR BASE
I wouldn't worry about a portfolio. Being an internal interview, they likely already know what you're capable of unless you've done anything extraordinary on the side. If you're that well-liked, just go in and be yourself. Stress your excitement for the position and eagerness to learn and be challenged further within the company.
kev211
Well-Known Member
Ok gravedig here...
Our office recently upgraded to Acad 2016, love the new features but Im having one issue that none of us seem to be able to fix.
Im working on a roof plan and each plane of the roof has a solid gray hatch for different levels. The foot print of the buildings grew a bit so I went to stretch the hatch boundary, roof line and building outline to match the floor plan that is xref'd in. The hatch is sent to the back so all of the other lines show through as well. However, as soon as I select the hatch with polylines etc the hatch changes drawing order and comes to the top and completely obstructs all the lines below. So I cant see where Im stretching to or what line Im going to snap to. Anyone have any idea how to keep the hatch permanently forced to the background without having to lock the layer (cuz I still want the hatch to stretch)?
Right now its really annoying because the only way I can stretch everything is to delete the hatch, stretch the lines and then re-hatch. Adding more time to my process.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Edit: Turns out, its whenever the hatch is selected it moves to front. I have selection preview set to 2. The only way I can seem to "solve" the issue is by using fillmode at 0. But that also is a royal PITA
Our office recently upgraded to Acad 2016, love the new features but Im having one issue that none of us seem to be able to fix.
Im working on a roof plan and each plane of the roof has a solid gray hatch for different levels. The foot print of the buildings grew a bit so I went to stretch the hatch boundary, roof line and building outline to match the floor plan that is xref'd in. The hatch is sent to the back so all of the other lines show through as well. However, as soon as I select the hatch with polylines etc the hatch changes drawing order and comes to the top and completely obstructs all the lines below. So I cant see where Im stretching to or what line Im going to snap to. Anyone have any idea how to keep the hatch permanently forced to the background without having to lock the layer (cuz I still want the hatch to stretch)?
Right now its really annoying because the only way I can stretch everything is to delete the hatch, stretch the lines and then re-hatch. Adding more time to my process.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Edit: Turns out, its whenever the hatch is selected it moves to front. I have selection preview set to 2. The only way I can seem to "solve" the issue is by using fillmode at 0. But that also is a royal PITA
Been playing with OnShape for a little bit now, again, after SW changed their second license permissions, so I can no longer count on installing SW at home or work computer to fiddle with.
Anyway, for home use OnShape is pretty decent. They've been adding features all along and it's fairly user-friendly if you are familiar with SW. Assembly Mates are different, but actually mostly faster and easier. I find a small amount of lag in grabbing, selecting, etc., but nothing worse than you'd expect in a cloud-based design software. My only other issue is selecting things. You have to get pretty close for it to select just what you want, even though there is plenty of the feature you want to select residing under the cursor.
Been designing a single burner BIAB stand with removable mast for hoisting grain bag with, and small tables that can be added to the mast that stick out to the sides for putting small items. The stand and side tables can next inside another table for transport/storage, then quickly put together again when needed.
I learned a lot by watching tutorials, and the forum has been helpful in learning how to do things when I have gotten stuck. All-in-all, for a FREE home design software, it's been really nice, especially after having SW experience.
Notice that the "FREE" option requires your designs to be visible to others. Not at all a concern to me, since I am really only ever going to design for hobby use.
A 3D software really helps me to not create designs which don't actually fit together the way my brain envisions them.
Anyway, for home use OnShape is pretty decent. They've been adding features all along and it's fairly user-friendly if you are familiar with SW. Assembly Mates are different, but actually mostly faster and easier. I find a small amount of lag in grabbing, selecting, etc., but nothing worse than you'd expect in a cloud-based design software. My only other issue is selecting things. You have to get pretty close for it to select just what you want, even though there is plenty of the feature you want to select residing under the cursor.
Been designing a single burner BIAB stand with removable mast for hoisting grain bag with, and small tables that can be added to the mast that stick out to the sides for putting small items. The stand and side tables can next inside another table for transport/storage, then quickly put together again when needed.
I learned a lot by watching tutorials, and the forum has been helpful in learning how to do things when I have gotten stuck. All-in-all, for a FREE home design software, it's been really nice, especially after having SW experience.
Notice that the "FREE" option requires your designs to be visible to others. Not at all a concern to me, since I am really only ever going to design for hobby use.
A 3D software really helps me to not create designs which don't actually fit together the way my brain envisions them.
NickTheGreat
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I don't like the idea of "cloud" programs, but I may have to check that out.
I have a yearning desire to make a 3D model of my house, but I don't have time at my work PC. And some of the other programs **cough** sketchup **cough****cough** leave a lot to be desired for me.
I have a yearning desire to make a 3D model of my house, but I don't have time at my work PC. And some of the other programs **cough** sketchup **cough****cough** leave a lot to be desired for me.
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treacheroustexan
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I use sketchup because it's free and was super easy to learn. I'm thinking about making a model of my "dream home/brewery" but I haven't had the motivation to actually do it yet.
I feel the same way about cloud software in general, but for private, personal use, it's great. (Unless you care about privacy in some cases...)
If you are familiar with 3D design software, and especially Solidworks, I really recommend OnShape. It's basic "Create a sketch on a plane, draw a shape, extrude that shape, and voila!" Tutorials in OnShape are not GREAT IMO, but I didn't really follow the basic tutes since I already know the basics of SW. I was able to jump right into it and get frustrated with the tutes related to mating (which could be geared more toward those who don't know all of the terminology, and just better edited in general IMO.)
If I get a chance I'll post a pic or something of one of my models. I *really* want to build a small BIAB rig, but I have a few projects that need to be done up before I can start. I might just spend a little time here and there cutting steel and gathering the parts. I can cut the pieces out at work. My Harbor Fright Chop Saw sucks beyond belief, but we have band saws as work that are nearly automatic. (I really need to fix or toss that stupid HF POS...)
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treacheroustexan
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My (work in progress) mash paddle. I'l probably round off the handle and cut it out of some maple.
