CAD programs

[shu]

I have hull design software (Vacanti's Prolines) and I've been fiddling with a demo of ProSurf. I want to be able to export the hull surface files into a 3D CAD program for drafting construction drawings, details, layouts, etc., and for exporting panels and bulkheads as dxf files for CNC cutting. I'm only a student, so can't justify shelling out the big bucks yet. I am familiar with AutoCAD, but it is so expensive.

Does anyone have suggestions?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3771

This would be about the cheapest 3D CAD I know of. Works best in 2D.

Gary

[duluthboats]

TC V7 will do many things that AC will do. It also has many faults. For some 3D work and for 2D documentation at under $20.00 it’s a good place to start. The guest post above was mine.

Good luck
Gary

[shu]

Thanks for the ideas, I'll have a look. But I was hoping for something without a lot of problems. I am willing to pay a few hundred dollars, if that opens up the field any.

[SailDesign]

If you're willing to spring a few hundred, look at Rhino (www.rhino3d.com). It is fast becoming the "standard" for cheapskate designers like me who don't have the necessary for SolidWorks or Pro/E ;-)

STeve

[duluthboats]

“I'm only a student,”

Check this out. Rhino 3.0 for students

Give the demos a try and see what fits.

Gary

[nero]

Take a look at TouchCAD. It runs well on Macs and it was my choice because of the price and marine calculations it does. After using it, I find it an extremely powerful modeler. It is for 3D what Adobe Illustrator is for 2D.

[jprev]

AutoSketch reads .dxf files from other outputs. It's affordable and comprehensive compared to AutoCad Lite.

Also, if you can find it used QuickCad will read .dxf easily and is an excellent CAD program.