cad downloads

[bedway]

 Does anyone have any experience with, or input on some of these free cad download programs. I have a tendency to get nervous about free download stuff. My last computer (compaq) got so loaded up with spyware etc. BS. i had to get rid of it. I payed to much for this new one that i had built and im trying to avoid doing anything to stupid. If my wife reads that last sentence, she will sure have a comment,,,,,, :D,,bedway

[beenthere]

Not sure what level cad software you want, but I have been playin around with Google Sketchup and have favorable impressions as to its ease of use and its depth.

Others are more fluent with this softare, as well as a number of others. Many to select from, and all require (IMO) some effort to operate. 

Which ones have you tried?

[bedway]

Ive had some el-cheapos in the past, and also some quite elaborate ones. Part of the problem i have is my operating system is windows, but its 64 bit. All of my other cad programs i bought were for 32 bit systems. Now dont get me wrong, i know just about enough about computers to sound like i know what im talking about. Trust me i dont! My son in law helped me order the build on this computer and i dont think even he knew what he was ordering when we ordered the 64 bit system. Or,,on the other hand he did and figured after i scratch my head long enough id give it to him! ;D First off, im not sure the free cad downloads are compateble with this system and second if their potentialy full of spyware etc? I had autocad but it says its not compatable so i gave it away. I like to draw up furniture, cabinets etc. as i am a woodworker.,,,,,,,,,,,bedway

[Furby]

Download Google Sketchup and see if it works. If it don't, delete it.
The 64 bit is the "wave of the future" but it's taking forever to get here and the systems are outdated before the 64 bit arrives. :

[Woodbender]

I've been on CAD since 1985 (or so). I'm fairly fluent in AutoCAD as well as Microstation being in the Architectural/Structural field that I'm in. Both of those programs are insanely expensive and downright prohibitive for us average Joes to just plunk down money for.

There is some junk out there that costs a lot of money.  There are also some good cheap programs.

One program in particular that I have had remarkable success with is ProgeCAD put out by Progesoft. http://www.progesoft.com/eng_index.php?XMLFILE=http://news.progesoft.com/intellicad/index.rdf&TEMPLATE=../eng_index1.html&MAXITEMS=4


Now having said that - I cannot for the life of me find the free download for ProgeCAD LT 2006. They seem to have pulled it from all the download sites and mirrors.  AND ProgeCAD 2007 Smart! (the 2007 LT version) is not yet released for download!  *snarl*

I have been periodically checking their download site for that but it's not available yet. The download site for ProgeCAD 2007 Smart! is http://www.progecad.com/downloads/index.html  Hopefully that link works.

I have done my cedarstrip canoe in it as a 3D wireframe and I'm currently designing my first timber frame house with it. I love it.  I just wish I could find a download link for you guys that they haven't pulled yet for 2006 since 2007 hasn't been released yet.

For those of you who care the file format is native autocad dwg.  Many days I work on my house drawing here at home and e-mail it to myself at work and work on it there during lunch.

Keep an eye on the ProgeCAD LT 2007 Smart! download page - maybe they'll break wind and let it go.

[Jim_Rogers]

Part of computer maintenance is cleaning out spyware and adware. There are lots of free program that will do this and some find stuff that others don't; so you need to have more than one.
Having an anti virus program and a firewall are other things you should consider.
Some spyware program are very cheap to buy and they regularly update themselves against new stuff and you can schedule regular sweeps to rid stuff out.
I use Spysweeper by webroot (I think that's the name of it), and when I go to a site that is know for having adware or spyware on the site it pops up a notice about that. I've found this very helpful to prevent me from downloading bad stuff.
I had one thing happen once that said my computer had a breach and that I needed to go to this site and download a thing to wipe it out. This site was filled with spyware and such and this official looking notice was part of there methods to get you to go there and download their stuff. Spysweeper knew this was a bad site and notified me and blocked me, and I would have to have over ride the block, but of course I didn't once I was told not to go there.
So, I feel this software saved my butt from possible problems.
Once you purchase them and they aren't that much, your yearly upgrades are about the cost of changing your oil in your car, and I consider this just yearly computer maintenance that you have to do to continue to operate safely.

Download safely out there.....

Jim Rogers

[dancan]

go to http://www.nonags.com/nonags/ or  http://www.pricelessware.org/thelist/index.htm or http://www.sover.net/%7Ewysiwygx/Apps.html for software
i have used downloads from these sights and have not had any issues in the past

[SwampDonkey]

I used CADKEY 20 years ago, before the 286 came out.  :D I thought it was fun, even though it was all key entry. Used it in an introductory Mechanical Engineering class. I wouldn't have a clue how to operate the modern version. Wouldn't even remember the old version actually. :D

The only CAD related program I used in recent years was DeedPlotter. The only CAD part of that was it exported DXF files. Other than that I used it to type in map and compass traverses. Glad I got GPS now. ;D  I now use PAD. Pencil Aided Design, costs about $2.50 for a 10 pack.  ;D :D

[jpad_mi]

Swampdonkey, I too learned CADKEY on a DOS based PC back in school. I can remember how painfully slow it was to save files on 5 1/4 inch floppy disks. Good times!

I have used TurboCAD for 2D drawings. It is pretty powerful, but takes a while to learn all of the buttons and commands. You can get outdated versions really cheap on eBay and computer sites that sell surplus software.

Google Sketch-Up that Furby recommended looks pretty good.

[bedway]

Ok, I just came in from moveing that *DanG white, cold stuff ;D My operating system did download the sketch up program from google. I guess thats a good sign because so many things as of yet are not compatable with this 64 bit system. Hopefully ill be able to set down later an get a feel for this program. I want to thank those of you who provided imput,,and stand by, im sure ill have more questions,,,,bedway

[Modat22]

I've been a CAD user since 1994 on Autocad but at home doing sideline jobs I use turbocad, its not free but works similar to autocad.

[beenthere]

What are some comparisons you could make between the two, autocad and turbocad?  I have ver 8 of turbocad, and a gazillion offers to upgrade to a later version, but don't seem to find the time or the patience to settle down and learn all the many bells and whistles to draw up my projects.

Any examples of your projects on turbocad? 

[Modat22]

All my examples are a bit large to post and be able to see the information. I do electrical design for hospitals and schools. I use multiple files to create 1 drawing.

Turbocad resembles autocad 12 and 14 in the way it works. Turbocad has a couple crashes on occation with big drawings but at a cost difference of around 3100.00 its easy to deal with  ;D

[den]

One of the wood magazines picks were...

Delta Cad Prof. V 6.... $40
Sketch Up by Goole 3D...Free
Alibre Design Express...Free

Dennis

[SwampDonkey]

Another available download is Cycas CAD available for Linux and Windows. I've not used it personally, I just came across it on Amiga Inc's website.

[bedway]

Hey all, Ive been working with the google sketch up and im quite impressed with it. Sure is easier than auto or turbo cad. My son in law has been working with it, and he does cad at work. For a free program he thinks its excellent. I couldnt believe how fast he was able to draw up components and parts for my bunks, clamps etc. for my mill im building. Thanks to thecfarms help im feeding off his design where the bunks are moveable to anywhere on the log bed. Thanks alot for the heads up on the google sketchup free download,,bedway