Re: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD packages

[rjune@fuse.net]

Cad programs can be grouped into three areas

1. Low cost programs - under $1000.00 - they tend to be user friendly, (Quick learning curve).  Good for 2-D, very limited for 3-D if they even do 3-D.

2. Medium cost programs - $1000.00 to $10,000.00 - Great for 2-D, Above average for 3-D, Some built in FEA capabilities, with the ability to export the geometry to other programs (i.e. external FEA programs or CNC programs)  Mechanical Desktop and Inventor fall into this area.

3. High or should I say Super High cost programs. - $10,000.00 and up.
These programs are out side the reach of most of us.  In addition to the cost of the program (which is sometimes a yearly license... i.e. you pay every year) they usually require computer platforms that start in the $6,000.00 to $12,000.00 range.  These programs are usually used by companies that do aerospace or aeronautical work.  I was involved in putting together a package like this about 3 years ago.  The base program cost $25,000 with renewable license for 2 operators at $1000.00 a year each.  Add to this the two networked computers that were purchased for the operators at approximately. $6,000 each, The company already had a server that was powerful enough  to run the program from.  We also had the requirement of purchasing an add on program that would interface with our coordinate measuring machine (CMM) at a cost of $40,000.00 and we wonder why airplanes cost millions of dollars.


Obviously the best isn't the cheapest.

Personally I recommend that you get something from AutoDesk.  AutoCAD Lt. is the least expensive.

AutoCAD 2000i could be used to do all of the design work for a sub, but it is limited in its 3-D ability.  You can do some 3-D (wire frame and solids) but are limited in ease of creating and manipulating.  Mechanical Desktop is my favorite offering great 3-D capabilities but It should be noted that AutoDesk is trying to phase out Desktop in favor of Inventor.  Inventor is also very good, I found that it was great for design, but lacked in it's ability to generate the finished shop drawing, as compared to Desktop, (of cores as a long term Desktop user I might be prejudiced). 


Roger June

> 
> From: "Sean T. Stevenson" <sts@telus.net>
> Date: 2002/09/12 Thu PM 07:51:05 EDT
> To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org,  Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@Sun.COM>
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD packages
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

Roger June
REJ and Company
rjune@fuse.net
513-300-1189