Bugsy0032 Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 I could be posting in the wrong area? I have SEVERAL new ideas for custom guitars. Im wanting to get my thoughts into motion. Can anyone recommend the BEST low-cost 2d/3d cad software to get this accomplished? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weslieh Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Try this place http://www.freecad.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy0032 Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Try this place http://www.freecad.com ← Thanks Weslieh! I'll check that out. I did do a search on "cad software" here in the forum, and actually found alot of info. SolidWorks, although major expensive on my beer budget, sounds the best. Now, just have to find that beer budget program with alot of the same features as solidworks!! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 If it existed nobody would use solidworks. You really don't need many of those features for plotting out guitars. A simple 2d software works just fine. Then again I don't even use CAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 bugsy, what is your previous cad experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedoctor Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Bugsy, you can get ALL kinds of free or demo software but if you want to put your ideas "in motion" ie: make tool path programs and such, you will need file conversion software that converts your shape into CNC tool instructions. You can't really do this until you know what CNC file format the tool you will be using requires. CAD is fairly easy. CAM is a little more involved. Try BobCad. It at least introduces you to file conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidlook Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 ...or just download solidworks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy0032 Posted March 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 bugsy, what is your previous cad experience? ← Actually none at all!! lol Although, I'm willing to learn! I use various graphic programs (photoshop, coreldraw, etc.), so learning curves Im used to. Im really wanting to not only design the new body and headstock, I want to see it in 3d as well. Making the look a little more solid, and modify where needed. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy0032 Posted March 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Bugsy, you can get ALL kinds of free or demo software but if you want to put your ideas "in motion" ie: make tool path programs and such, you will need file conversion software that converts your shape into CNC tool instructions. You can't really do this until you know what CNC file format the tool you will be using requires. CAD is fairly easy. CAM is a little more involved. Try BobCad. It at least introduces you to file conversion. ← Hmmmm? Bobcad sounds interesting. I've never heard of it. I'll check into that. I have been pondering the idea of "DesignCAD 3D Studio Max v14", which I did find some examples and tutorials on. I did see some of the freebies on freecad.com, which I downloaded, just haven't installed yet. Fact is, I didn't even think about the CNC part of it!!! Definately food for thought. thanks Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Drawing guitars in 2D is pretty staight forward. 3D gets to be a PITA when you try to do complex things like the carve of a Les Paul top or a neck. I've tried both surface modeling and solid modlers (Solidworks) and I found surface modeling worked best for me as far a getting CNC machinable drawings. I just couldn't get the solid modeler (solidworks) to do what I wanted it to do. I used Mastercam to design the les paul in this thread: my lp thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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