[simpits-tech] FreeCAD

[cyplesma at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: geneb <geneb at deltasoft.com>
To: Simulator Cockpit Builder's List <simpits-tech at simpits.org>
Sent: Wed, Oct 1, 2014 11:23 am
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] FreeCAD

On Wed, 1 Oct 2014, Brian Sikkema wrote:

>
>> It's pretty good for a free tool, but you might want to check out
>> DesignSpark Mechanical.  They took SpaceClaim and stripped the 
export down
>> to STL only and give it away in order to promote it for use with 3D
>> printers.
>
> I will check that out, too. Looks interesting at first glance, not 
sure
> if it's quite what I'd want, though. From what little I've played with
> it so far and the few videos I've watched, FreeCAD's parametric 
modeling
> style looks very similar to what I'm used to from my prior engineering
> CAD experience.
>
Yeah, the workflow can be a bit weird.  It's very similar to SketchUp 
(in
my limited experience with both).

>>
>> An inexpensive option would be Cubify Design.
>> http://cubify.com/Products/Design
> One thing I've always hated about CAD... $200 is considered the
> "inexpensive" option. lol
>
One thing you have to look forward to after you get out of the AF is 
being
able to buy SolidWorks for about $150.  See here:
https://store.solidworks.com/veteran/default.php?command=Step1

If there's any vets on this list, you really should take advantage of 
this
discount program.  It beats using Pirate Bay or coughing up $10k for 
the
"full" version of SW.

> And yes, I've definitely planned on getting one of the Space 
controllers.

Before I got my first SpaceBall, I'd have horrible wrist pain after 
using
Inventor for a few hours.  Once you get used to that little magic
controller, you never go back. :)

Brian, if you've used Inventor in the past, I would REALLY recommend 
you
check out SolidWorks by any means neccessary. :)  The workflow is SO 
much
better than Inventor.

g.


My favorite program was called DesignCAD 3D. it was cheap (not free, 
~100.00 USD, far less then autocad) during the Windows 3.11 days. The 
best thing about it was the devs included a BASIC language program for 
it. Sadly the upgrade for Windows XP did not include that feature, and 
I don't think the latest greatest version does either. But the original 
company was bought out and afterwards the newer programs have kept 
their inexpensive price but still no programming language.

I still use the one upgrade I bought (~70.00 circa 2000), but seems I 
might need to upgrade again.

Nice thing about the programming language is you could provide a series 
of inputs and then the program would create the object. I think back in 
the mid/late 90's Home Depot used an application developed with the 
programming language to create decks with. They use some internal web 
based version now connected to their catalog of parts.

http://www.imsidesign.com/Products/DesignCAD/DesignCAD-3D-Max-23

I used a SpaceBall on a unix cad system, was definitely very nice, but 
back then I was big on track balls, not the logitech thumb ball design 
(don't like those), but the cue ball sized palm design, which are a lot 
nicer then using a mouse for 3D or 2D drawing (IMHO). But those have 
become just as expensive as the Space Pilot/Navigator tools.

Mike

--
Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll - Go Collimated or Go Home.
Some people collect things for a hobby.  Geeks collect hobbies.

ScarletDME - The red hot Data Management Environment
A Multi-Value database for the masses, not the classes.
http://scarlet.deltasoft.com - Get it _today_!
_______________________________________________
Simpits-tech mailing list
Simpits-tech at simpits.org
http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/simpits-tech
To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above 
page.  Thanks!