[luvdunhill]

Hi! I'm looking for an easy to use, simple CAD program that will let me produce a set of speaker plans, with dimensions. I'd also use it to lay out front panels, and the like. Any recommendations out there?

 

[ezkcdude]

It's not reall CAD/CAM per se, but you could use POV-Ray/Moray for this, and you'd get some neat graphics out of it on the other end. You're not trying to simulate, right? For that, you'd need FE software.

 

[spongezone]

Google SketchUp. Probably the easiest CAD tool in existance.

 

[luvdunhill]

yup, i just need to produce some sort of drawing with dimensions. I'd like to say give me a line "3 feet" long and another "2 feet long" and connect them at 83 degrees and then put some dimensions on the drawing, etc. a 3d model is nice, but a bit overkill

I'll try Google Sketchup for now and report back!

 

[BradJudy]

For the moment, Autodesk Inventor LT is free: http://labs.autodesk.com/technologies/inventor_lt/

 

[ezkcdude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spongezone /img/forum/go_quote.gif Google SketchUp. Probably the easiest CAD tool in existance.

I've never seen this! Pretty cool. Too bad it's only on Windows. Tell me, what are the limitations of the free version?

 

[colonelkernel8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezkcdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've never seen this! Pretty cool. Too bad it's only on Windows. Tell me, what are the limitations of the free version?

Well, its pretty crappy if you are actually trying to design something to build. I use Inventor, a lot; easily right up there with SolidWorks and Pro/E. You can design assemblies in 3D and then layout automatically 2D CAD drawings that you can print with dimensions and use that when building.

If you'd like me to design them for you, I can, shoot me a PM. Send me any sketches of what you are looking for.

 

[tobias_svensk]

Yeah I like Inventor to, Pro/E i think is to messy and haven't tried SW.

 

[rastafazz]

Check qcad community edition. It's free and available for Linux and Windows.

If you use Gentoo, there is an ebuild for it.

http://www.qcad.org/qcad_downloads.html

 

[alfie]

Solid Edge 2D Drafting, the free 2D version of Solid Edge.

 

[beerguy0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradJudy /img/forum/go_quote.gif For the moment, Autodesk Inventor LT is free: http://labs.autodesk.com/technologies/inventor_lt/

Thanks for the link! Be advised, however, that this is a 934 MB download.