Any CAD or 3d modelling people on here?

[Paul the 6th]

Just looking for a bit of advice on cad and 3d modelling. I've got a wide range of skills in photoshop, illustrator, corel draw and various other graphic design packages but I'm looking to learn a bit of CAD/3D modelling type stuff for professional development (and because I'm a geek).

So to all the experienced cad/modellers out there, which program would you recommend for learning (useability and user friendliness) the basics behind cad and modelling?

Thinking along the lines of AutoCad and Rhino 3D at the moment but I've feeling these might be a bit tricky to master without a bit of 'proper' tuition?

Thanks in advance :)

[SoulKiss]

Just looking for a bit of advice on cad and 3d modelling. I've got a wide range of skills in photoshop, illustrator, corel draw and various other graphic design packages but I'm looking to learn a bit of CAD/3D modelling type stuff for professional development (and because I'm a geek).

So to all the experienced cad/modellers out there, which program would you recommend for learning (useability and user friendliness) the basics behind cad and modelling?

Thinking along the lines of AutoCad and Rhino 3D at the moment but I've feeling these might be a bit tricky to master without a bit of 'proper' tuition?

Thanks in advance :)

I got Rhino 3 (on the beta test) and did a model that ended up in print (3d version of a 2d logo).

I like it because its NURBS based - means its all lines and not meshes when working, I also use it for 2d stuff.

If you go looking on the high-seas for it stick with version 3, finding a working copy of V4 has been elusive.

[Paul the 6th]

cheers SK,

someone has also recommended solidworks for cad & modelling, do ya know much about it? :)

[gettin2dizzy]

Screw AutoCAD. It's wank.

For engineering stuff you can't go wrong with either ProEngineer or Solidworks. Solidworks is very similar, and a much more intuitive program with better tutorial support. Learning any system will give you the basics though, so you can adapt pretty quickly.

You certainly can't get them on torrents by searhing google either.

[lukemillar]

I got Rhino 3 (on the beta test) and did a model that ended up in print (3d version of a 2d logo).

I like it because its NURBS based - means its all lines and not meshes when working, I also use it for 2d stuff.

If you go looking on the high-seas for it stick with version 3, finding a working copy of V4 has been elusive.

Maya. Been doing it for a living for 8 years now, although I don't have much experience on anything else (except a bit of Lightwave and XSI).

Depends what you want to do with it I guess

[SoulKiss]

Maya. Been doing it for a living for 8 years now, although I don't have much experience on anything else (except a bit of Lightwave and XSI).

Depends what you want to do with it I guess

Keep meaning to try Maya out I must admit.

[454697819]

Screw AutoCAD. It's wank.

For engineering stuff you can't go wrong with either ProEngineer or Solidworks. Solidworks is very similar, and a much more intuitive program with better tutorial support. Learning any system will give you the basics though, so you can adapt pretty quickly.

You certainly can't get them on torrents by searhing google either.


cos that not an unbiased opinion.

It entirly depends on what you want to model...

Autocad isnt straight forward although it isnt rocket science.
Sketch up is crude but does the job,
solid works is complicated and runs as a bolt on to cad...

Im a draughtsman by trade and do pretty much anything and everything although I do very little 3d, But i have worked with 3d modellers over the years and they dont have an issue with autocad etc

[DanAbnormal]

Difficult one.

For CAD type stuff 3DSMax is pretty good.

For modelling I use Maya, it's just so easy. The only issue I have with maya is the render engine takes a lot of faffing around to get a decent result and I can get this in half the time if I just use Max. I tend to model in Maya and then export as .FBX into Max and use either mentalray or Vray render engines.

Modo is also up and coming and the new 401 release should address a lot of bugs and issues.
I only do this as a hobby but here is a link to some of my stuff, I've also been featured on few websites and 3D World magazine before but am by no mens a pro (but Luke is). :cool:

http://forums.3dtotal.com/album.php?u=26320

[JamesMio]

Our designers at work use SolidWorks and it's the bomb - they're designing everything from big stuff like log grabs and armoured vehicles, to wee stuff like bolts etc.

It's very, very pricy though!

[anna]

As has been said perhaps start with sketchup.. free google program and then perhaps upgrade.

[carnivore]

I've done design on lots of design packages, autocad is easy to use but isn't that good for 3D. primarily autocad is a 2D package. The easiest 3D package to use would be either CATIA or solidworks. If you wanna give youself a major ball ache use Pro engineer (ProE) bad package and not easy to use.

[yorkie_chris]

Screw AutoCAD. It's wank.

For engineering stuff you can't go wrong with either ProEngineer or Solidworks. Solidworks is very similar, and a much more intuitive program with better tutorial support. Learning any system will give you the basics though, so you can adapt pretty quickly.

You certainly can't get them on torrents by searhing google either.

Solidworks.

Paul, I've got a cracked copy of it at home if you want to have a gander.

[Paul the 6th]

Eyup YC, what version/year is it? Think there's a few versions on what.cd but they're bloody huge & will bust my ratio.

Solidworks has had overwhelming support from the LocostBuilders forums so I'll give it a try :)

[Paul the 6th]

Oh and thanks for everyone's advice :)

[yorkie_chris]

Errr dunno '05 I think. They had newest one at uni and it's same to use just some annoying compatibility issues if you design on later and try export it forwards.

[dizzyblonde]

don't they try registering themselves every time you open the program?

[yorkie_chris]

Nah mines fine, crack turns that off.

[AndyBrad]

Ive come from solid works, via inventor (autocad) and am currently on solid edge. They all have advantages. the latest version of solid edge will be the way forward imo. No history based modeling and the ability to edit parts like iges files. Its good. Although im using traditional tho.

Depends what your wanting to do. If its for work, learn autocad (as in 2d) first. then learn solidworks/solid edge if its for messing about for a locost project just grab solidworks as its quite user friendly. Any questions on edge just ask :). Alternativly if your doing a cadcam project you want to look very closely at what your sendign the files to.

Oh and proe and catia are very good. however they are expensive and thus dont have as much market share overall (not industry specific)

[timwilky]

Now the software developer in me say stop all the talk of cracked copies please.


The freeloading cheapskate says please point me at a "trial"

[yorkie_chris]

Would it help if I called it a "student license" instead?

(though they wanted £8 for the CD! They not seen the price of ale these days?!)

[SoulKiss]

Now the software developer in me say stop all the talk of cracked copies please.


The freeloading cheapskate says please point me at a "trial"

The practial side of me says "when I can earn my hundreds of pounds worth back as a professional user then they can have my cash"

As it is, through doing the beta of Rhino3D, then "finding" a copy, I recommended it to a mate of mine who is a jeweller, and he has since bought a copy.

So they are actually one sale up than they would have been as there is no way I could justify the £s it would cost for something that is effectively a toy.

In saying that I really need to get to grips with Bender and so be legit.

[Paul the 6th]

Solidworks it is then :) I'll start saving for a license as adobe & corel have just been paid for the upgrades from cs2 & x3

[DanAbnormal]

Anyone used moi?

It's revolutionary! :smt027

[urbane1]

AutCAD LT is fine for 2D drafting. I use Sketch up for modelling, it is great for architecture, not tried it for anything else, but as mentioned you can get a free copy from Google (who own it) and then upgrade to Pro later.

[MacDaddySV]

Was just in the middle of following a maya tutorial, and somehow found myself to be distracted and reading this thread!

[Paul the 6th]

sounds like solidworks is the way to go... anyone know where I can find a trial version please? :)

[rusty76]

Depends who's paying (if you're doing it legit)

I don't think you can beat Rhino value-wise

Industry-wise; Catia, Solidworks, ProE, are always in demand in you're considering it from a career standpoint

[DoodleBug]

Look up Blender.

Its comparible to 3DS Max. Good for modelling, animation, rigging, texturing and post production video work.

The best bit? Its open source so costs nada.

[gettin2dizzy]

sounds like solidworks is the way to go... anyone know where I can find a trial version please? :)
Like I say. You won't find it by searching 'solidworks torrent' ;)

As to not paying, well they can **** off if they think I'll pay £5k for their software. It's in their interests to become used widespread, and anyone using it for commercial gain will (and should IMO) get a licence.

[sam anon]

Just looking for a bit of advice on cad and 3d modelling. I've got a wide range of skills in photoshop, illustrator, corel draw and various other graphic design packages but I'm looking to learn a bit of CAD/3D modelling type stuff for professional development (and because I'm a geek).

So to all the experienced cad/modellers out there, which program would you recommend for learning (useability and user friendliness) the basics behind cad and modelling?

Thinking along the lines of AutoCad and Rhino 3D at the moment but I've feeling these might be a bit tricky to master without a bit of 'proper' tuition?

Thanks in advance :)

Just out of interest, what do you do workwise?

[Paul the 6th]

Graphic design & sign writer: create & supply vinyl artwork for conferences, exhibitions, vehicles, shops and general signage :) seem to be getting more & more requests for product/parts design. Alot of the principles are very similar & alot of the time it's just a case of taking a real world template & somehow creating a digital copy/layout so it can be replicated.

Anywho I'll stop going on now :)

[lukemillar]

Like I say. You won't find it by searching 'solidworks torrent' ;)

As to not paying, well they can **** off if they think I'll pay £5k for their software. It's in their interests to become used widespread, and anyone using it for commercial gain will (and should IMO) get a licence.

While I'm usually the first to jump onto people poncing digital stuff because they can't differentiate between walking into a shop a stealing something that someone has produced vs. downloading cracked versions online; software I see as a grey area.

It is in the software's owners interest to get as many people trained on their programs and create a bigger user base. This has the knock on effect of companies buying the software as there is a bigger talent pool. Most software companies worth their salt will have training version - I know there is a Maya PLE which is the full package except your output is limited and renders are watermarked.

However, I tend to think that the software companies tend to turn a blind eye on cracked software, providing people aren't using their software to profit. I used cracked software at uni - I couldn't afford to buy it and the college wasn't going to fork out for a licence for just me! However, I now use legit software and have worked for a number of companies who have had to buy licences.

[Paul the 6th]

Like I say, just wanting to have a bit of practice with various apps and see if it's worth while adding to the ar$enal of software I run already (mainly adobe & corel). :)