Good CAD program to start with??

I primarily run my computer in Ubuntu, but can switch over to MS if need be and would like to start scanning in and work in building hull lines and such but don't know where to start. I'm looking for something to help me scale hull lines, superstructures and systems. Ideas...suggestions...whatever.

 

sketchup is a pain to make hull skins. still havn't found a good script to get it done yet.

 

sketchup is ok, if you've never used proper CAD before. But it is NOT a true parametric 3d modeling program. I am starting to learn FreeCAD. Not sure if it works in Ubuntu or not. For doing hull lines, etc, I would strongly recommend Delftship. It's a surface modeler not a solids modeler, but it is specifically designed for working with ship hulls, sections, lines, etc. Both FreeCAD and Delftship are available for free online.

 

What CAD program are most of the folks here using?

 

I prefer Pro/E.

DelftShip is pretty good for surfacing hulls but most stuff needs solid geometry and it isn't so good for that in my experiences.

If I had to pick a free one i'd probably try FreeCAD first. If AutoDesk is still giving away AutoCAD Inventor Fusion that would probably be worth a shot too.

 

Besides cost, any opinions on this printer
Flash forge 3d printer creator pro

 

Nick, thoughts on a sub-set forum just for CAD and printer questions? Keeping all the data together...

 

I know of three in my region, looking myself to join their ranks. I am thinking that this very specific topic is just getting lost in a couple of threads

 

I would love a 3d printer but sadly I would have to pitch it to the CFO and she isn't buying it.

But I would like to partner with a individual and send files to reproduce in ABS, Pay to Play should provide some monetary reward to offset the costs.

Mostly one-offs that I would cast in resin.

So anybody interested in defraying some costs?

 

I had also thought a 3d printer area would be good... but it seems there is only 1 active forum member that I am aware of that is also 3d printer active as well. It may still be useful for the discussion of 3d printing, there is certainly a lot of interest in it....

 

Please do, my poor little head is swimming in all the information I have been gathering as I begin to move forward with attempting to make mine functional, and would like to see someone making some progress.

 

That is probably me . I acquired a Stratasys printer with the control boards/ extruders/ hot ends stripped from it, and am attempting to retrofit it with reprap electronics while keeping most of the features and hardware. The new control board just arrived..... I may have bitten off more than I really want to chew....

 

I only know AutoCAD (which is still very useful if your recreating from a picture) ... Inventor and SolidWorks ... the engineering places around here use SolidWorks so they taught us both Inventor and SolidWorks for my course. SolidWorks can be extremely powerful and insanely frustrating at the same time. Inventor is more intuative once you get past the basics. AutoCAD can still be used for 3d if that's all you can get your hands on, but it's a damn steep learning curve and it's very NOT new user friendly.

I was lucky enough as part of being a student I have the Autodesk student 'thingy' for 3 years ... so I have AutoCAD and Inventor here at home. If you don't mind fibbing you could probably get a student 3 year license for Autodesk. The "issue" with it becomes File sharing ... everything created in the student versions are marked.