free alt Acad software

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ampster
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SELF INTRODUCTION: got interested in solid modeling and motorcycle designs at the same time - although I haven't built anything yet I do plan on building a custom mc pull behind trailer and will be looking for advise. My Thanks goes out to all the people who have devoted their time into keeping this type of web forum going.
Location: Crystal, MN.

free alt Acad software

Post by ampster »

Hi all,

Thanks again Dan, BigJim and others for the website and keeping this going!

I came across some software called "DraftSight" which works like Acad for the most part;

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/

This is what I've been using at home drawing up the trailer I'll be making this winter.

HTH someone!

Steve
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been a member of this board since back when it was a part of Chopperweb. been handling the tech side and sharing the admin duties for several years now.
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by budoka »

good stuff there! and good to see you man.

-dan
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Maz
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by Maz »

Cool :clap:

Maz xx
Blonde, blue eyes, English Custom Bike builder and Biker Mistress!!!

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curt
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by curt »

gotta learn how to use that stuff any sugestions on reading material ?
ever notice when you hit somethin or someone with a hammer you feel instantly better
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ampster
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Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:15 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: got interested in solid modeling and motorcycle designs at the same time - although I haven't built anything yet I do plan on building a custom mc pull behind trailer and will be looking for advise. My Thanks goes out to all the people who have devoted their time into keeping this type of web forum going.
Location: Crystal, MN.

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by ampster »

sorry I don't have anything specific to recommend, I had class room training for SW, Inventor and AutoCAD. There are some tutorials included with the those packages, but not with DraftSight.

I just did a search on "free autocad tutorial" and found a link which seems to have alot of information;

http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/tutorials/index.htm

Even though you may not have a copy of AutoCAD, you could still apply what's shown there in DraftSight. You could get a 30-day trial of AutoCAD from Autodesk and use that in the beginning.

What will really help is a having a good general grasp of visualizing something in 3D inside your head - without that I've seen ppl dread doing CAD work.

While I don't post alot here, I do try to keep up on the latest posts - you could always drop me a note and thru screenshots and emails, I could help out.
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curt
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SELF INTRODUCTION: hi everyone its me from the old bord hopeing to see everyone come here and all the newcomers . lets make this as good as the old one or even better . lookin foreward to seeing everyones projects continue and ill be continueing mine too
Location: utica new york

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by curt »

most of my projects are thought up in advance i can usually visualize something fairly easy i also have bend tech pro a tube bending software in 3d i can usually get it to do what i want . and thanks i ll probly take u up on that
ever notice when you hit somethin or someone with a hammer you feel instantly better
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SELF INTRODUCTION: my name is scott younger and i live in wann oklahoma. wann is in northeast oklahoma right on the kansas state line. i just recently bought a copy of the chopper builders handbook, the one about building girder forks. i have just finished chopping up a two thousand one kawasaki elminator that i picked up at a garage sale cheap. i am currently buying a building to open my own custom fabrication shop. i enjoy working on bikes and building hot rods, ihave a 1927 all steel ford t bucket with a uncut bed. i have ready to begin as my next bike project a rigid harley frame setup for either a evo or shovel. gonna make the tins and tank myself on the english wheel. hopefully i will get aproved.

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by oklascott »

earlier this year i went and enrolled at independence community college in their 3d cad classes. after being out of school 25yrs didnt know how it would go, but have had a blast and learned alot we are working with autodesk 2010.
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I enjoy reading the posts on the forum and try to contribute when I can. I am sure that this will be every bit as good as the CBH forum, as we will have most of the same folks. Good luck and post a lot of pics!! Jim
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by jimmib »

I have been using AutoCad since 1992. When I first saw the Draftsight software, I downloaded it and I am very impressed with it. The user interface is very similar to Acad. It has most of the tools for 2d and if you are familar with the Acad 3d commands it will accomplish a lot of 3d tasks. If you Google Draftsight, there are numerous free tutorials. Just remember there is a learning curve for all programs :angry-banghead: . For someone wanting a good solid drawing program, I strongly recomend it. The best part is, it's FREE! :clap:
Jim
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jonester123
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by jonester123 »

I also use draftsight drawing program, still learning it but seems to be a real good drawing program for alot of stuff. :D
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justin caise
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I'm hoping to actually connect with and make some friends here this time.
I'm in So NH repairing and riding the low buck jap junk for now... practicing, discovering my fav riding style, learning CAD, machining, designing and building tools. Lonely. I've got friends and family, and riding buds but no close chopper freaks to hold a torch. Aaaaand, I've said too much again....
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by justin caise »

I haven't tried this one yet.

Question - Will draftsight save as a PDF file? Does it import autoCAD or any other file types? It may prove to be the solution to a pesky problem I'm having currently.
Your car should be old style
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Your chopper - a tasteful mix of the two.
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ampster
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Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:15 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: got interested in solid modeling and motorcycle designs at the same time - although I haven't built anything yet I do plan on building a custom mc pull behind trailer and will be looking for advise. My Thanks goes out to all the people who have devoted their time into keeping this type of web forum going.
Location: Crystal, MN.

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by ampster »

yes it can do pdf's, under the File menu > Export > PDF Export

It opens and saves to .dwg, .dxf and .dwt file types.

It can export out to many different picture formats (bmp, png, jpg, etc)

This has provided me with CAD software that's been missing from linux - it's the single thing preventing me from ditching M$ completely. Although there are a handful of other CAD packages that work on linux, maybe I'm just getting to old to learn anything new and prefer to stick to AutoCAD.

HTH
Steve
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by Builder52 »

Wish I had the time but 3 jobs does not allow that I just go to my machinist and he makes the dxf file for me based on my dims, sometimes you just dont have the time maybe when I retire around the age of 80
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justin caise
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Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:40 am
SELF INTRODUCTION: Seemingly still just a wannabe, as I've not actually built a chopper yet. But I know what I'm doing. I'm startin slow, studying, tooling up, and thinking about it properly - someone here once said "The important thing about finishing your first build is to not let your ambitions exceed your abilities." I'm holdin my ambitions just a little ahead of my abilites so's I can stay motivated. Gary said the balance of time and money is key - So, I'm working that, too. Just reallly grateful to find that this incredible resource is still alive and accessible.
I'm hoping to actually connect with and make some friends here this time.
I'm in So NH repairing and riding the low buck jap junk for now... practicing, discovering my fav riding style, learning CAD, machining, designing and building tools. Lonely. I've got friends and family, and riding buds but no close chopper freaks to hold a torch. Aaaaand, I've said too much again....
Location: So New Hampshire, USA

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by justin caise »

I took a certificate course in CADD last year at a not so local community college and a large part of the training was exercises in visualizing from 3D to 2D and back again. I'm fortunate in that I understand all of that visual spacial stuff and normally think that way anyway. (But, of course, I won't get it if you tell me directions - you've gotta draw me a map.)

I thought it was sort of cheating to conceptualize something in solidworks, and then use that to demonstrate to myself how best to represent it as a 2D autoCAD drawing - until I saw some pros do basically that same thing in their work flow.

The best programs do seem a bit expensive, so I'm still eeking by on the student versions.
I'm using them in my business, at home for shop setup and some project stuff, and I'm starting to freelance a bit. Emphasis on the word "free" as I'm trying to get some miles under me in terms of experience and variety, I can't legally use these versions for income. So the Opensource type programs are awesome and I'll probably lean on them heavily if/when my licenses run out.

...

Oh, Draftsight is put out by Dassault Systems (makers of Solidworks.)
That explains alot.
Now I HAVE to try it.
Your car should be old style
Your clothes rather new
Your chopper - a tasteful mix of the two.
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ampster
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Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:15 pm
SELF INTRODUCTION: got interested in solid modeling and motorcycle designs at the same time - although I haven't built anything yet I do plan on building a custom mc pull behind trailer and will be looking for advise. My Thanks goes out to all the people who have devoted their time into keeping this type of web forum going.
Location: Crystal, MN.

Re: free alt Acad software

Post by ampster »

does sort of make you wonder, the company that produces SW, has created "freeware" software that mimics how AutoCAD works!

I'm just friggen happy they put together something that works in linux, is free and works like something I am used to!
War Tribe
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Re: free alt Acad software

Post by War Tribe »

ampster wrote:does sort of make you wonder, the company that produces SW, has created "freeware" software that mimics how AutoCAD works!

I'm just friggen happy they put together something that works in linux, is free and works like something I am used to!
Cool! A fellow linux user!! You can try out SagCAD and LibreCAD. Those are linux programs.
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