CAD progress update 3rd March 2009

I believe I may have settled on a strategy at last for my use of CAD. It was nearly CAD/CAM because a member of HMEM forum was selling a CNC milling machine and lathe recently released by a school. I made an offer on the milling machine which matched the seller’s valuation but he wanted to sell both and not split them. I wasn’t too unhappy and would have only bought the mill because of its size and value for money (looked like it had never been used!)

Anyway back to CAD. Again on the HMEM forum one member related his experiences with Alibre Design CAD software which, whilst the full program costs a considerable amount (not really cost effective for the hobbyist), do offer a limited version which is free. Yes free! This software operates in 3D and it allows very simple transfer of work to drawings. Something I was looking for from BobCad.

I had tried several months ago to download Alibre without success, so whilst it came recommended, I was not looking forward to trying to install it again. However when downloading this time it went through fine and works on my laptop running on Vista basic (which causes problems on most CAD/CAM packages as far as I can see). The only issue I found was that the last failed attempt to download must have registered with Alibre because the first download includes running the full version for a limited period of time before it then runs the free version (and some of the features disabled).

All of this came about at a time when I was thinking of upgrading from TurboCad Deluxe to a more comprehensive premium version but 2 or 3 versions old. So I thought I would try Alibre since it has installed. I must say that after the first few sessions, when it seems impossible to even draw a straight line with any new program, I did start to get to grips with it.

Alibre does have a very useful help system and even after the initial frustrations of having used BobCad in full 3D mode, going back to 2D TurboCad and now back again to 3D, I prefer working in 3D. I have been told that if you have been brought up using CAD from the early days, you do need to change your thinking when using 3D. Fortunately my lack of experience and exposure to CAD is in fact something of an advantage! Well there had to be one somewhere.

Once I worked out how to draw a line, the extrude and opposite functions worked well with the menu’s not so massive as in other programs I have been exposed too. I have much to learn, don’t get me wrong, but I have nearly succeeded in producing a printed plan from the idea stage. You will note I say nearly. I am not there yet but it shouldn’t be long before I can make available plans in PDF form for download. The first plans will be for a fixture to adjust the cut from an inline boring tool, an inline boring bar and a ball turning tool. So look back if you’re interested in any of those ideas.  To be contd.