Best Free Cad Out There

[mocnc]

ok......I know, an other guy asking for something for free. Its just that I don't have a back ground in design and its hard to see thru all the BS when it comes to programs. I will eventually purchase a cad program, but I want to get things rolling first. Once its moving along I'll purchase what will work best for me at that level. Now, I am thinking about using this usb interface with his cam type program CNC USB controller . Has anyone used his items? Any help/info would be great. Now I am basically looking for a free cad pragram that will work with this set up and is able to do 3d. My diy cnc has 4 axises, with the 4th being a rotary one. I want to start off building gear shifter knobs for my 78-cj7 jeep, as well as my friends jeeps. Then down the road I want to cut pool ques as well as doing inlaying in them. What is the easiest (ya I know...no real such thing) and free cad program out there. One gear towards a cad dummy, a basic guy with very little cad knowledge.

[dneisler]

For 2D work, DraftSight is great and FREE.
I am not aware of a good 3D one, but I use Alibre and it does not cost to much.

[mocnc]

Now, I am wondering.........would I need a 3d cad? Or can I do all I want with a 2d cad program? I can draw my items (shifter knob/pool cue/ relief cutting) in the 2d and have it still cut it out as a 3d object. Or there is no way out there other then a 3d cad program. Does that make any sense?? What is everyone else doing/using.

[BurrMan]

The only real reson you need a 3d model in machining is if you have 3d surfaces that need to be cut as such (fillets and curvatures that is not a tool)

If you can define all your parts with 2d geometry, then 2d is all you need for the machine..

So 3d gives you the surfacing, rendering/visualization, inspection type stuff capabilities.

[Bubba]

I have a friend who is also my mentor that is a professional cnc machinist/engineer and has been for several years. One day recently we got to talking about this subject and he said that in his career, he had only used true 3d cam coding on one or two jobs! Everything else has been 2 1/2D.
Furthermore, I am a firm believer in one learning "the hard way" (hand coding) so they can recognize problems that occur when doing it the "easy way" (using a cam program). Therefore, start out with 2 1/2 D to get the learning curve and maybe later if necessary step up to the complexity of 3D.

I know there will be a lot that disagree with me, but so be it.

Oh and I use Draftsight everyday. When I worked as an engineer, I used autocad, but being retired, why spend that kind of money for a program when the free one does the same thing and just as well??

[mocnc]

So I can cut out things/items like a gear shifter knob as well as pool ques using a 2d cad program like Draft Sight? I down loaded Draft Sight, its a bit confusing. Maybe it because I have no cad back ground. I look at the help side of it and I don't seem to see how to draw an object that has depth like my shifter knob/pool cue. Is there any help out there that could guide me better?

[ger21]

I think you need a better understanding of the entire CAD/CAM process.

When you use a 2D CAD program, cut depths are assigned in the CAM program.

Now, when you start talking about cylindrical objects cut on a 4th axis, it's quite a bit more complicated. If the 4th axis is spinning continuously like a lathe, then you can possible just draw the 2D profile.

BUT
In order to pull it off, you'll need a CAM program that can do it, and a firm understanding of that CAM program, and the type of file it expects.

While it's quite a bit simpler to use a 2D drawing for an inlay or engraving on a 4th axis, machining the actual object on a 4th axis would typically require a 3D CAD model.

[DareBee]

I would also like to point out that a LOT of the 4 axis machining is as easily achieved as 2.5D due to the fact that it can be programmed 2.5d on a face of the part and then rotate to the next position and do the next 2.5D cut.

[mocnc]

ok let me see if I got this right, I can cut my shifter knob/pool que using my 2d cad design, of course onces i has been converted to gcode, but I need to make the right depths in my cam program. Now my 4th axis will not spin like a lathe, it will be hooked to a stepper motor and turn in steps when I am cutting out the shape of my project. So draftsight will work for me, and the cam program that I am going to purchase from plant cnc that works of usb will work as well? Or is there any other cam you guys would recommend? ARe there any turtorial for Draft Sight?, that will cut to the chase and show you how to draw something and show it in the y,x z, 3d plan? Btw DareBee I live only a few hours south of you in chatham, ontario. Nice to meet you.

[ger21]

So draftsight will work for me, and the cam program that I am going to purchase from plant cnc that works of usb will work as well?

I would say no. Planet CNC is mainly a Controller, not a CAM program.
for 4th axis work, I'd recommend a 3D modeler and DeskProto.

[ger21]

So draftsight will work for me, and the cam program that I am going to purchase from plant cnc that works of usb will work as well?

I would say no. Planet CNC is mainly a Controller, not a CAM program.
for 4th axis work, I'd recommend a 3D modeler and DeskProto.

[tracyranson]

I use Cambam which is easy to use, easy to learn. They have a free version and they have a version that cost less than $200. Just keep in mind that if you use Cambam and want to install the free version that you do not upgrade it unless you want to pay for the full version. The free version has very few limitations and works very well in most cases. Here is the link to the free version http://www.cambam.co.uk/downloads/CamBam-beta0.8.2.msi