TIME to VOTE -What is "Hands Down" the best design software for the Marine Industry?

[Chris Ray]

I have a BFA in Graphic Design and Computer Design and would like to get into Yacht and Marine design in the near future. In the last month that I have been researching the CAD and Software programs used throughout the industry and it seems like there is definatly more than just one or two options to chose from. I guess I was expecting a AutoCad giant or Sloidworks to hog the list, but was surprised when I have run into 15-20 programs that appear to be used in the Marine Industry and range form a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

So this is a un-scientistic poll of what afordable program would you (as a seasoned professional) recommend to a beginner that - would not only help his chances of finding a job in the industry but would give him a step up if he ever has to learn another program job down the road?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[dccd]

Chris, Your really won't find yourself supporting the marine industry, its more fractured than big auto or aerospace so you will need to check on each company pursued. In respect to the preferred CAD tool it's all over the board as "the industry" is made up of lone builders to huge custom yacht builders and Navy shipbuilders. But you cannot go wrong with knowing the following in these differing marine realms (IMHO): General designer basics ACAD, Rhino, Solidworks (prime mechanical) Pro-E (Brunswick), Catia (military or government work) 3D studio (rendering) Lightwave (easier rendering) Solid edge (PC use growing). I am close to have supporting the entire range of marine industry as a designer. Good clients will desire your own specialized content or expertise first, the tools to create are secondary. My deliverables normally rely on ACAD for 2/D 99%, 3/D is via Iges if they don't use my native program (Rhino). Keep in mind if the job is for aesthetics don't use somthing geared toward manufacturing, big difference in input or parametrics if the job is for manufacture and engineering analysis.

[Ad Hoc]

Chris

I think dccd sums up well. AutoCAD, Rhino and solid works are the main norm, mainly owing to their cost being lower than the others. But you need to think what is the end result. As dccd says if you're into aesthetics, that is different compared to an engineering based one.

So, the Q is..what do you want to do in the industry...and hence find a software that is used the most. Art or science too....makes a difference.

[waikikin]

I'd have to say the soft-ware contained within the skull. All the best in your endeavours from Jeff

[aharley]

AutoCAD seems to be an all around good tool, especial if you’re working with many clients and vendors. Even if they don't have the software they can still interact with your product with the drawing web format (DWF). I have dabbled with ShipConstructor. It appears to be a powerful program with lots of tools and it also operates smoothly with Acad.

[Norm01]

As a sidetrack to the topic, I would like to start drawing skiffs and dinghies (i am not trained and dont want to make a living out of it, If i draw the right one i might try and build it one day ). Am i best of using paper and pencil, weights and splines etc or doing the same thing with autocad or similar. I have exp with basic autocad in 2d, but i am not sure about doing the curves in autocad.