Hey Folks,This is a little lengthy, but I need some advice based on some detail.I wish to draw the parts of a machine that I've created in my mind. It's not a horribly complicated machine, but things about it are unique and must be drawn in the tiniest detail. A new specific design on frictionless air bearings, for instance, will be included. I have fooled around with a little drawing stuff on computers but not a lot. Most recently, (a year ago or so), I actually made some of the individual parts of this machine in "Autodesk" "Inventor". I would like to create the individual parts in 2D drawings and ultimately "assemble" these parts into a demonstrative 3D machine, that may be navigated and maneuvered for any infinite view.What program would best suit this need?edited: I also need to be able to "print" the "drawings" as a professional draft, albeit on printer paper


brokenarrow2011-07-31 22:41:48

Why not continue what you started by using Inventor?

I have no training or understanding of what is available or possible with the available programs. The work that I've done was a struggle to learn how to do and I am still quite limited in Inventor. In fact, I don't know if Inventor is capable of doing all that I wish to do. So I ask the questions of more learned people, so I might move forward with the least waist of time. Wasting time is not a luxury I have, as I fight my third battle with lung cancer, with no expectation of dying of old age. If Inventor is the right program, I reckon that's what I need to continue with, but I don't know. That's why I ask.

The machine parts can be drawn in AutoCAD too but it is my opinion that Inventor would be better suited for the job.  However, that is entirely your decision.  Whatever piece of software you use just do it in 3D.Do you have any experience at all with AutoCAD or any other CAD related program?What is your budget?  Any AutoDesk product is not going to be cheap and that includes AutoCAD and its' sibling AutoCAD LT.  Have you considered the possibility of using an AutoCAD clone like progeCAD or Bricscad?Can you post a sketch of one of the parts so we can see how complicated they might be?



John Connor2011-08-03 11:48:07

No experience with autocad. My experience is quite limited. I've fooled around with paint probably, more than anything else before. Where it comes to anything professional, my greatest experience is certainly with Inventor. Budget, although does matter, isn't completely critical, due to the expected return if I can really pump out the drawings, in all the different "embodiments". As far as considering other programs, I'm wide open to suggestions.Not very comfortable posting sketches. Not to concerned about the ability of the program to draw a complicated drawing as much as I am the integration and modification of that drawing once it's done. For instance, can I draw separate drawings of a shaft, a gear, a pulley, and a bearing, then assemble those drawings as one drawing, without having to manually redraw the completed object? Can I then provide cut away view of the same machine without having to completely redraw? Can I then change the bearings to a slightly different design without having to redraw the entire machine?...What program does this? Does Inventor do this? I don't know. As far as my lack of experience, I'm interested in how easy these programs are to operate as well. If I have to go to college to be able to use the program, I'd be wasting my time to get it. I need ease of use.BTW, I appreciate your time and advice... would appreciate other opinions too if any differ or expand on Mr. Conner's

Given the nature of the drawings you want to do I would stick with Inventor but expect a steep learning curve.  You can mitigate this somewhat by looking for tutorials (AutoDesk has some available) and practicing first.AutoCAD does not do "assemblies" as you and I might think of them but it is possible to do a series of separate drawings and xref them into a master drawing if that's how you want to approach it.If you are seeking further advice regarding Inventor you might want to pay a visit to another AutoCAD related website called CADTutor.  They have a handful of forum members who use Inventor on a daily basis and can provide you with more detailed answers than I can.  I'm strictly an AutoCAD user who has done a fair number of 3D drawings using solids.

Thanks again