SpudFiles

Well, On my quest for freeware CAD, I have seen many open-ended roads and evily hard-to-understand programs. Today, I give you the answer:

Google Sketchup!
http://sketchup.google.com/

Not only is it free, its easy to use, and also kind of fun. Theres also boatloads of video tutorials, ect, to help you get on your way fast.

Upon my first day of using the program, I made a model of my mousetrap car for physics class:



If anyone has any questions, post them here. This program is absolutely AWSOME!

I've had this program since Junior year in high school.

It is very good for things like modeling for Spudgunning and whatnot, but for anything serious I would still do drawings on paper.

I've (tried to) use that, but it was too fiddly for me. I've had a good deal of success with Rhino, though. I'm a total ignoramus when it comes to computers, but Rhino was very intuitive and easy to pick up. I like the design!

It was the fastest car the school had ever seen... 1.6 seconds for 5 meters....

Mostly due to the ball bearings and the drillpress i used.... but whatever.

Is rhino free too? i might have to check it out

The version I have is a trial one, but it is free. The full one will cost money, though. The trial is almost the full version, but you can't use certain features. (I don't know what they are, but I finished an entire model without encountering a single one.) It only lets you save 25 times, though.

It is indeed a very nice 3d program, and in my opinion, one of the fastest and easiest programs to put up a simple model.
For serious modelling one would need better software, but for a quick 3d sketchup, its perfect!

i usually prefer paper and pen but i use paint for stuff i email to people and put on this sight. if it's as good as u say then i'm on board.

I've all ways wanted a drafting table with a fully indexed drafting machine. Maby my wish will come true one day....

I'll check out the program you used for the 3d model when I can make the time. Is it a big file download?

Sketchup would be pretty big for dial-up, but not too bad.

I wish I had a drafting table too. I just use a ruler and triangle for my drawings now, but once I get the money I'm gonna build a small table at the end of my desk with rolling straight edge and everything... once I get the money, though.

Ebay has drafting machines from time to time but they are beat up or costly. I watched a few brass ones go for $300 +.

they have a small drafting table w/drafting machine for $100 on e-bay (table is 24" x 32") true, it's not much good if you're using 12S mylar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Drafting-Table-with ... 286.c0.m14

i've been using the sketchup tool for a day now and i love it except for one thing. i can't work on a scale of millimeters so i gotta use a unit converter to round to fractions of an inch. i'd rather just use millimeters on the sketchup table.

besides that issue, it's been great. i've already modeled a bunch of stuff with it. one of them being my new revolver cannon design with preloaded and precharged cartridges. kinda like a one handed m32.

someone should make a tool or a download file with all standard pvc sizes prebuilt and ready for spudders to design their cannons before they waste money with too much trial and error. u would know exactly what to buy at the hardware store becuz it was mastered on sketchbook first. it can contain models of all fittings, pipes, reducers, sprinkler valves, etc.

i found files like these for telescopes and stuff i don't worry myself about. spudders will love it and so will plumbers.

that would be so sweet.

Yeah sketchup is great. Ive had it for about half a year since we started using it at school.
Apparently Rhino is better, but sketchup is free. Sketchup is a fun thing to do when you are bored. (Create your "dream" house, design a cannon etc)

if you want me too, i can make a selection of parts... it wouldnt be too hard