CAD Recommendations?

In reply to SVreX:

You might be surprised. Even for the pokey drawings I make for my house, I use xrefs.

I have ViaCAD v8 2D/3D for MAC and it's pretty easy to use. I bought it mainly because... $90, native OS-X and has parametric solid modelling capability. I've used to mock up things I plan to fabricate with some success.

You will have to google it to see if it's worth looking in to for your application.

If 2D is all you need Draftsight's free one is capable and priced right.

Draftsight is not supported on 32 bit Mac machines.

Still looking...

I just remembered PowerCadd. Haven't used it for quite some time but it is an excellent drafting/drawing software for the Mac OS. Never used it for 3D stuff, so I'm not sure if it does 3D (it was called PowerDraw when I used it, back in 1997-1999) but this is a truly useful drawing software. Scaling is totally intuitive, none of the paper space vs model space shenanigans; EASY TO LEARN. Set your scale and draw, total control of line weights, layers, etc. Assuming it's only gotten better, I feel safe endorsing this one.

http://www.engsw.com/products/

I use AutoCAD almost every day at work and what I have discovered is that for what we do the older versions work just fine one thing I like is that when used on a system that is not so great by todays standards it hum's rite along. Put it on a high end computer and it would work at light speed. The only issue is that it has to be a 32 bit machine or you have to run a virtual XP machine on your 64 bit unit (what I do)

I don't know the logistics of getting a used copy but AutoCAD 2002 would do everything you need. The 2d drawing part is plenty powerful enough. The 3d is clunky and basically out dated but you said you don't need it.

I just looked at eBay and it looks like used versions of 2002 can be had for between $100-$300. Again I don't know all the legality's / up grades etc but if you could pick it up for $200 it would be everything you need and you would be compatible with everything but the most recent versions of cad (that we don't use) We ask people to send us 2002 compatible files when needed.

Like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Autodesk-autoCAD-2002-Software-CD-and-Book-/151176043746?pt=US_Other_Software&hash=item2332cb5ce2

I use GTXImage CAD, but they do not make a Mac version.

I went from Catia to ProE to Autodesk Design Suite (Inventor and AutoCAD), I can say that Autodesk isn't that bad to learn. What is even better is the integrated tutorials and gif flash when you hover over an icon as to what it does and how to use it.

It would probably take you a week to do the switch, run through the turtorials.

The only thing is some of the AutoCAD stuff is still script based, Inventor has no such issues. You can tell that Autodesk bought AutoCAD and is integrating it into the fold.

But the Mac edition works really well.

Flight Service wrote: The only thing is some of the AutoCAD stuff is still script based, Inventor has no such issues. You can tell that Autodesk bought AutoCAD and is integrating it into the fold.

Actually, it's the other way round. Autodesk started out with AutoCAD in the early '80s and has bought other products in an attempt to stay relevant. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out there is 30-year-old code in the current version of AutoCAD.

Duke wrote: It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out there is 30-year-old code in the current version of AutoCAD.

Working with ACAD every day, I'd say that is almost a certainty. Especially since I was trained on R11 in the early 90's and thus I still use keyed commands for most tasks.

Duke wrote:

Flight Service wrote: The only thing is some of the AutoCAD stuff is still script based, Inventor has no such issues. You can tell that Autodesk bought AutoCAD and is integrating it into the fold.

Actually, it's the other way round. Autodesk started out with AutoCAD in the early '80s and has bought other products in an attempt to stay relevant. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out there is 30-year-old code in the current version of AutoCAD.

Actually looking at the company history, the just buy a company and then have some one integrate it. Their acquisitions count is Fortune 100 worthy.

If you use any of their suites, you can tell they are trying to patch in AutoCAD, it is the least developed and evolved piece of software they have.

The good news is you can use any of their software, full versions, for 30 days, no charge.

Ian F wrote:

Duke wrote: It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out there is 30-year-old code in the current version of AutoCAD.

Working with ACAD every day, I'd say that is almost a certainty. Especially since I was trained on R11 in the early 90's and thus I still use keyed commands for most tasks.

I used R2.6 LOL, and kb commands are burned I to my brain forever.

Ian F wrote: In reply to SVreX: You might be surprised. Even for the pokey drawings I make for my house, I use xrefs.

Yes, DraftSight does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8zra0O1Cq0