Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CAD packages

[Coalbunny <coalbunny@vcn.com>]

Man, that makes me feel really cheap.  Both CAD programs I have were
given to me by friends because they were outdated.  :(
Carl


"Sean T. Stevenson" wrote:
> 
> Roger, I experienced exactly the same thing -- I've been using Mechanical
> Desktop for a long time, and though I have been following the development of
> Inventor since R2, it was not until I played with the R6 beta that I became
> convinced that it could actually be an adequate tool for drawing creation.
> 
> The unofficial word is that R7 will be the last release of Mechanical Desktop.
> 
> Incidentally, the last release of the Inventor Series package (which included
> both Mechanical Desktop 6 and Inventor 5.3) was about $8000 CDN, with an
> additional $1200 per seat for the annual maintenance.  Of course, I can not
> condone software piracy, but the list members may wish to be aware that
> Autodesk has a history of turning a blind eye to the casual (non-business, non-
> profit) user that happens to come across a copy.
> 
> For what it's worth.
> 
> -Sean
> 
> Quoting 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
> >
> >

-- 
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