Part Based CAD Interface

[Dman65]

I have "played" around with SketchUp and I have TurboCAD 14, but I am wondering if there is CAD interface that is more geared toward defining parts. It seems like a waste of time to me to create cubes and change the sizes and then make columns and change the sizes and position them on the cubes and subtract the cylindrical area from the cube.

Is there some sort of interface that lets you create a blank solid and the specify things like drill a 1/4" hole 1.5" from the top and 1.5" from the left? The same for making slots, key ways, etc. It seems to me that an interface like that which would let you define parts somewhat like you would mark a piece to mill it would be very useful. If you could then save that as a model to import to a 3D program to build a model from it would be even more useful and if it could be used as input to a gcode generator, better still.

[moldcore]

KeyCreator 2011

[ger21]

I don't know what CAM software you're using, but it sounds like what you're doing can all be done with 2D drawings, much quicker and easier.

It seems like a waste of time to me to create cubes and change the sizes and then make columns and change the sizes and position them on the cubes and subtract the cylindrical area from the cube.

You need to change the way you work. Create your cubes and cylinders the actual sizes you need them, in the proper locations, and you'll eliminate 60% of what your doing (resizing and moving).