18 Replies Latest reply on Aug 12, 2010 12:35 PM by Feroz Mahomed

Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Eric Snyder Aug 10, 2010 9:17 AM

I am looking for a 2D cad or sketching program that does a few things.

1) It will be used by non-cad, non-engineer floor production people.

2) Can "select chain" or similar capability

3) Layer control with color per layer

4) Is easy in the sketching capability

5) Easy to use linear array copy

6) Very inexpensive

7) Opens/saves/exports DXF/DWG

Autocad and AutoCad like programs are out because they have a very engineering like interface. Many of our sketches have many entities and to offset a chain of entities you have to go in a click on every entity instead of selecting chain like SW. We have some licenses of DesignCad and I just tried out DraftSight. Same thing with them. Both very much like AutoCad. I just love sketching in a part in SW. That is the capability and ease of use, I just can't affford the price tag for where this is going to be used. Also, SW has way more features than needed, it's paying for a lot of awesome software that I don't need for this particular application.

Recommendations?

Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Charles Culp Aug 10, 2010 9:25 AM (in response to Eric Snyder)

Most non-engineering type folks I know (woodworkers) who need to do design work use Google SketchUp, because it is free, and very intuitive (for them, I find it difficult after learning SW/ProE/etc). The Professional version can export to DXF, and costs ~$500.

http://sketchup.google.com/product/gsupro.html
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Deepak Gupta Aug 10, 2010 9:32 AM (in response to Eric Snyder)

Visio might be one of the option.
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
- Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
  
  Greg Hynd Aug 10, 2010 9:40 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
  
  solidedge ( GASP ) does a free 2d package that is very good.
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Mark Larson Aug 10, 2010 10:00 AM (in response to Eric Snyder)

paper & pencil
seriously, that's what people have used for 2000+ years
almost zero training
no installation problems
no support problems
almost no cost
no OS problems
no upgrade or compatibility problems
... the list of advantages are nearly endless

the advantages of CAD?
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
- Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
  
  Charles Culp Aug 10, 2010 11:55 AM (in response to Mark Larson)
  
  If he needs DXF, select chain, and easy to use it sounds like he needs something for a machinist to use to export to a CNC machine. You can't shove a piece of paper into a CNC mill.
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
- Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
  
  Eric Snyder Aug 10, 2010 12:48 PM (in response to Mark Larson)
  
  Sometimes it's tempting...
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Matthew Lorono Aug 10, 2010 12:04 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)

What is it about AutoCAD-like functions that is tough to use? I don't really understand your statement as to why AutoCAD doesn't work for you? There might be a lisp routine that does chain selection. There are literally thousands of available sample codes for AutoCAD and similar applications.
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
- Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
  
  Charles Culp Aug 10, 2010 12:19 PM (in response to Matthew Lorono)
  
  I tried using AutoCAD again about a year ago. I fell flat on my face. I can understand why someone would say it is difficult to use, I felt like bashing my face into a wall.
  
  Did I mention that Sketchup is easy to use? Did I mention that the regular version is free? Can't beat that.
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
  - Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
    
    Eric Snyder Aug 10, 2010 12:50 PM (in response to Charles Culp)
    
    I'll check SketchUp out. Thanks
    
    Like Show 0 Likes(0)
    
    Actions
    - Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
      
      Ed Ortiz Aug 10, 2010 1:12 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)
      
      Just wondering why not try either DraftSight or DWGeditor by Dassault??
      
      Like Show 0 Likes(0)
      
      Actions
      - Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
        
        Eric Snyder Aug 10, 2010 1:25 PM (in response to Ed Ortiz)
        
        I just tried out DraftSight
        
        Please see original post. I think I explain myself there. If you still have questions please report.
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
        
        Greg Hynd Aug 11, 2010 1:39 AM (in response to Eric Snyder)
        
        Have you tried the solidedge free 2d?
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
- Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
  
  Eric Snyder Aug 10, 2010 12:50 PM (in response to Matthew Lorono)
  
  Really? AutoCad is $3,000/seat for starters. AutoCad is a very, very left brained kind of software. I am looking for a deploy and then it takes minimal training.
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
  - Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
    
    Travis Godfrey Aug 10, 2010 1:39 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)
    
    BobCad sounds like it has most of what you are looking for (plus a cam package if wanted) and is not badly priced.
    
    Travis
    
    Like Show 0 Likes(0)
    
    Actions
  - Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations
    
    David Oustifine Aug 10, 2010 1:47 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)
    
    AutoCAD LT might be an option, I haven't checked the pricing in a while but it used to be sold at walmart for a couple hundred bucks.
    
    The 2D editor that comes with SW gives you three copies that can be intalled with each seat of SW purchased; that means FREE...
    
    Like Show 0 Likes(0)
    
    Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Scott McFadden Aug 10, 2010 1:36 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)

Eric,
If you already have a seat of Solidworks you have your 2D editor in Solidworks.
It mirrors Autocad so if you know the commands in that then this software will be a breeze!!!
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Kelvin Lamport Aug 10, 2010 10:08 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)

http://www.freecad.com/ has plenty of choices.
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
Re: Looking for 2D cad recommendations

Feroz Mahomed Aug 12, 2010 12:35 PM (in response to Eric Snyder)
Eric,

Prior to SolidWorks we used a package called Cimatron. It was Dos based and had no picture icons. I would say it was " Cad for Dummies" because it was so easy to use. Unfortunately, Cimatron does not offer the 2D package anymore. We still use Cimatron to access some of our old drawings.See attached file for interface.
This software had chain function, layers and could save as dxf.

Message was edited by: Feroz Mahomed

screen dump.bmp 973.1 KB
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions

Go to original post