Which CAD Package?

[cqueen]

I would like to learn CAD to help further my career, I've looked up a few training courses but I'm not sure which actual software would be best for me to learn.

I would especially like to learn 3D CAD (solid works?), I work in the automotive engineering sector I've seen suitable jobs wanting people with experience of catiaV5, I-deas, ProEngineer...?
So,

a) Which software should I choose to learn,
b) How much should I spend for a full intensive course (2-3 weeks)
c) will I be able to learn 3D modelling type stuff in an intensive course? or is it something you have to do for years?

Cheers!

Chris.

[NSR-Rulez]

The only cad package i have used is AutoCAD its a good little program, but doesnt have a 3D modelling function as far as i know.

Sorry i cant be more help.
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[killa]

I do CAD for a job.

To learn AutoCAD on a course (city & guilds) you'll be looking at just over £600 for a few months of training (enrollements in Sept), once you got city & guilds 2D qualification quite a few options open up for you.

3D cost's a lot more, close to a grands intensive, you can learn the basics in a week, which is what i'm doing in April.
I use solid works at my place because it is highly accurate software, TBH unless you are in engineering of a high spec field or aerospace then you wont be using it. So learning all you can about certian software could be a waste of time.

Ask your place what they use and go from there.
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[MarJay]

I learned AutoCAD 14 and 2000 when I was at Uni. There are no other CAD packages worth mentioning. They did both 2d and 3d stuff with ease.

Whichever is the latest version will be the de facto standard in the world of CAD.
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[ken]

take a look at this

https://download.autodesk.com/esd/autocad/06.ADP.0821/index.html?ch=ON

kc
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[cqueen]

[BFG]

Having run an automotive design business, I can confirm that this...

[Stevie B]

As already said AutoCAD is a budet software which i don't really feel is worth learning, but if you do it doesn't take long atall.

A decent software you could look in to is Rhinoceres 3D. Although it's not on the level of Catia and Ideas, it's a good 3D software to start off with and will do the majority of things you would want it for

SB
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[daz|n00by]

cqueen if any of these are any good to you let me know m8 ....



Autodesk.AliasStudio.v13.02

Autodesk.Building.Systems.v2007 (5 disc's)

Autodesk.Civil.3D.v2007

Autodesk.Civil.Design.v2007.

Autodesk.Land.Desktop.v2007 (4 disc's)

AUTODESK.MAYA.UNLIMITED.V8.0
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[Teaman]

i have autocad 2006 if you want.
Ill bung it on a cd and post it out, just pm me your addy if your interested.
I downloaded it to attept to learn cad for something to do but it didnt take off

ooh forgot to mention I did buy it off a china man down the pub called Piratebay
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[cqueen]

Thanks for your help guys. I've chosen to do a course in Catia V5. So if anyone has got any material on that, then that would be great.

Now... back to pc world to return my autocad book!

(..yes I went in pc world )

[king kong]

Joined this thread too late, never mind.
I'm a design Draughtsman and have been using SolidEdge for 8 years, very flexible and user freindly. Sheetmetal tool is excellent.
Agree with all above I also have a copy Autocad LT, total tripe.
Good luck with the Catia course though Look forward to seeing your Jet Ski designs on the lofting side.

[cqueen]

[cqueen]

Ok I have a question.

How do you define a design engineer? For example if I was to become totally sufficient in Catia V5, would that make me suitable for a design engineers job?
I have a relativley good background in engineering (not degree), but I've never actually had to design anything before.
Will I be alright?

[Ichy]

I've only ever worked in automotive and have always used catia. Assuming your looking at contracting, your going to need a good knowledge of V4, not many places using V5 at the moment, but it is picking up. You may have a problem without any previous experience as a designer, your going to need some sort of evidence that you are capable of doing the job. Only suggestion is to find some small companies looking at converting 2d drawings to 3d.

I did my training though IBM, costs was between £500 - £1000 per module, probably a bit cheaper now.

[cqueen]

Well I've done my 5 day intensive fundamentals course, Been practising a little and came up with this, which I'm quite pleased with. I'm gonna keep practising for a few more weeks then do the advanced 3 day intensive.

[Whosthedaddy]

Nice one, looks good if not a little wide.

Design, draughtsperson or product design is something that interests me
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[Ichy]

[Jamie S]

for a few days of doing it you are doing verry well, we used to have a cad program in my old school but i cant rember what it was called.

[cqueen]

[king kong]

[king kong]

[Stevie B]

Sorry to bring the thread back up, but does anyone have trial version (or full version ) of Alias i could have a copy of?

I can't seem to download it off the net, my pc is being a tool and not letting it initiate.

Cheers

SB
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[Jamie S]

Any one got a cad program that they could send via email or what ever , just for me to mess about on and see what i can come up with or even teaman do you still have that one ? i will pay you what it cost for the cd and to send to me, i could pay via paypal if you want me to ?
cheers

[mr.z]

As has been said it really depends on what your using them for (anything 3d in autocad is an absolute fecking nightmare it must be said)

Autocad is more or less industry standard for building firms or anyone dealing with buildings in general, because as has been said its fairly cheap but not many big firms want to spend allot either, specially if all other firms are useing it too.. Archicad is vastly superior for new builds is expensisve and very few people know how to use it, in fact there still architects who insist on working on paper drawings (not many but still more than you'd think could)

I'll have a look at catia, i'd heard of it but not really payed much attention to it tbh looks very interesting
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