Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD packages

["Sean T. Stevenson" <sts@telus.net>]

Best, or cheapest?

I am using Mechanical Desktop 6.0 and Inventor 5.3, and am currently beta 
testing Inventor 6.0 (all Autodesk packages, and all in the several thousand 
dollar range).  Packages such as Pro/E and CATIA are in a class by themselves, 
but outside the reach of the casual CAD user.  These tools are fantastic for 
solid and surface modelling, as would be encountered in submarine design 
(Graham Hawkes' deep flight prototype was created with Inventor).  For simple 
2D schematics, such as wiring diagrams and hydraulic schematics, 2D packages 
such as AutoCAD (or AutoCAD LT, etc.) are actually quicker, and I switch to 
these when creating such drawings.

I haven't used any of the budget packages you refer to, but have heard feedback 
from others who have tested them.  The general consensus is that there is very 
little functional difference between programs, and that your choice comes down 
to user interface and convenience of purchase.

Do whatever you can to procure a copy of Inventor.  Failing that, I think that 
any program you choose should be capable of creating anything you need in 2D, 
and exportable to DXF and other standard formats.

-Sean


Quoting Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@Sun.COM>:

> Hi,
> 
> I dropped by my local friendly computer store to look at their CAD
> packages.
> The sales drones were not much help and just looking at the boxes didn't
> help either. 
> 
> The PSUBS archive does not conclusively point at one package over another.
> 
> Which is the best CAD package? I mean best for submarine
> applications like plumbing, 2D and 3D hulls (structure), schematics, ....
> 
> The user interface has to be well thought out with no bugs.
> 
> The choices I have to choose from are:
> 
> 	DesignCAD Express	$40
> 	          Max		$80
> 	TurboCAD Ver8           $80
> 	         Ver8 Designer  $30
> 	AutoDesk QuickCAD       $50
> 	
> Regards,
> Ray