Using CAD Software

StarckTruth

Posts: 23
Joined: 2007-12-20

I am a student in an engineering technology program (switching to actual civil engineering next fall) and so I have been exposed to the wonderful world of AutoCAD.

It's really too bad about the PRICE of AutoCAD — thousands of dollars — which places it way out of the range of the hobbyist. You could buy a whooooooooole lotta nice train gear for that! Fortunately, there exists an alternative so you don't have to resort to piracy, or even worse using Windows*, to benefit from it. I found a nifty little program called QCad, published by RibbonSoft, available for about $30 from http://www.qcad.org/ . It runs under OS X, *n*x and Windows, and for the especially brave users out there it's actually open source (GPL) so it can be compiled and modified as you see fit.

CAD has many, many uses in model railroading: from initial planning and track layout through design of trestles and bridges and complete layout of buildings in full detail. QCad can save files in DXF format, which allows (for example) for someone like me to do preparatory work at home in QCad and then final 3D work at school in AutoCAD; QCad can also export to PDF (at least under OS X) simply through its printing function. This way I can design the faces of a building in CAD, export to PDF and colourize and decorate in Photoshop, and output on a high quality colour plotter to assemble the final structure.

* Yep, I use a Mac. I also use everything else, but I only will stoop to Windows when there is no alternative.

Submitted by StarckTruth on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 09:13.

MooseID

Posts: 827
Joined: 2006-11-05

Gee Whiz, those minorities.....

Starktruth wrote:

* Yep, I use a Mac. I also use everything else, but I only will stoop to Windows when there is no alternative.

....can be really cranky at times.

Moose

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 02:39

Michael

Posts: 514
Joined: 2007-09-04

Thanks for this

I looked at the demo and it is nice. Pity the demo runs for 10 minutes. I've done a number of drafts in illustrator (not that this is a cheap alternative - or a similar product to CAD) and I've got a system - but having a CAD program would be nice. Not sure if I'll part with the $30 quite yet, but looking at it.

Now as for the Windows comment... Let's play nice! Some of us don't have the same problems others do.

Michael
www.modelrailroader.ca

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 10:53

siderod

Posts: 2436
Joined: 2004-06-05

I've got AutoCAD 2006

I've got AutoCAD 2006 Professional and SolidWorks Professional 2006 SPO. I've used both to enhance my modeling...it's so much nicer scratchbuilding a building once drawn in 3D. I can see how things are supposed to interact, what needs an angle, and I can get measurements accurate down to fractions of a thou with a few mouseclicks. I've printed my 3D renderings before, and used them as a 'backing' for whatever I'm scratchbuilding. I'm thinking I might upgrade both of the aforementioned pieces of software when the 2008 versions come out.

Yeah, 'true' CAD and 3D software like this is wicked expensive...but...if you can use it elsewhere like I can, it makes it more worthwhile.

Adobe Photoshop has also come in handy numerous times, but it's not really CAD, nor is it nearly as expensive.

Siderod (II)
Andrew Reid
* * *
nScale.net Forum Moderator

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 11:35

Brian_Va

Posts: 236
Joined: 2007-01-05

Bursting the price bubble

I know about this CAD issue. In R/C the big thing is TurboCad. T-Cad (as good as AutoCad for basics) sells for as little as $10 US on ebay. I got T-Cad V11 a few months ago on ebay for $11.00 + shipping. It opens prints and modifies any CAD format, or design from scratch. If you EVER need more than T-Cad 11, then you've got some major engineering on your hands I guess.

my 2 cents, I'll be quiet now.

--
I have never failed at anything, but I have discovered 10,000 different ways that don't work.

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 11:58

russtrnmn

Posts: 19
Joined: 2007-08-13

CAD

Well being in engineering using CAD ll day it is too much like work to use it much for my modeling. I have in the past used AUTOCAD to design 2 n-track modules I am still working on. I have deviated some from the original plan. I have misplaced the CD that I created models of Atlas sectional track . Like I said it reminds me of work and I have stopped using it for that. It does give a good source of what fits and what doesn't. Autodesk is as about as bad as microsoft about their licenses so beware of that.

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 21:06

FergusonTE

Posts: 605
Joined: 2005-10-27

I'll have to take a look

I'll have to take a look at QCad! Running OSX on a Macbook and need something I can use on the Mac. I've been drawing on my work Windows PC using MS Visio but I'd like to go to the Mac for my micromodule designs.

-mike

http://maritime.dns.ca/mgerrits/trains

Sat, 12/22/2007 - 21:28

taz-n-rr

Posts: 440
Joined: 2006-04-28

I have used AutoCAD some in

I have used AutoCAD some in years the past, and even have several versions of AutoSketch. I am currently using a copy of TurboCAD I got at Sam's a couple years ago for around $70. If you want precision control and redraw-ability (it that a real word?) a CAD program is needed. It can be a bear to learn how the programs want to be used. And it can be difficult to see the real world in the drawing (like is there really clearance for the rail-car and is the turn table really that big...). But the more you want to accomplish in limited space and fit things together, the more a good drawing can payoff. The precision drawings I made for one truss span for the Cumberland Narrows bridge were perfect printed full size to: cut, layout and glue the zillion pieces of plastic I put together.

Track layout programs like RightTrack (alias WinRail) available from Atlas, are specialized CAD programs. And if you want to accomplish something really specific and make trade-offs before spending a lot of money, cutting lumber and laying track, it seems like the best option. But it takes some practice.

Charles

Mon, 12/24/2007 - 13:16

Kashirigi

Posts: 112
Joined: 2008-01-04

Not quite CAD

I use a Japanese program called Metasequoia (it's not entirely in Japanese) which is a 3D mesh modelling software primarily for use with video games. I then use an unfolding program called Pepakura to unfold my computer designed model, and then add any details that I think are required in Illustrator and/or Photoshop. That way I can make paper models or patterns for models in other materials, or, in theory, output to a 3D rapid prototyper to make a master for casting.

--
Japanese N-scale trains in a very tight space: http://yamanotesen.thruhere.net

Sat, 01/05/2008 - 21:52

Michael

Posts: 514
Joined: 2007-09-04

Printing in 3D

Kashirigi wrote:

I use a Japanese program called Metasequoia (it's not entirely in Japanese) which is a 3D mesh modelling software primarily for use with video games. I then use an unfolding program called Pepakura to unfold my computer designed model, and then add any details that I think are required in Illustrator and/or Photoshop. That way I can make paper models or patterns for models in other materials, or, in theory, output to a 3D rapid prototyper to make a master for casting.

Have you got easy access to the prototyper? I have a supplier who has offered to 'print' my meshes for $200 - no limit on number of objects so long as they all fit in the 12x16 'tank'. I looked over some samples and they looked great with the exception that the models had a slightly pebbled surface. I've resisted the urge to move forward with it.

(For those new to this technology - or at least the one I'm referring to, the prototyper I have access to is essentialy a 3D printer - the printer prints a thin layer of adhesive and pigment and then applies a thin dusting of powder. The process goes on and on until the entire 3D models have been printed.)

Michael
www.modelrailroader.ca

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 01:33

subwayaz

Posts: 81
Joined: 2007-03-26

Cadrail ??

I found this program Carail version9, it cost $99.00. But I have No experience with CAD proams at all. does anyone else have an opnion on this program? Please enlighten me sounds like if not too difficult; it might be a worthwhile pickup.

Thank you beforehand for your opnions.

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 02:35

Michael

Posts: 514
Joined: 2007-09-04

Free demo available

subwayaz wrote:

I found this program Carail version9, it cost $99.00. But I have No experience with CAD proams at all. does anyone else have an opnion on this program? Please enlighten me sounds like if not too difficult; it might be a worthwhile pickup.
Thank you beforehand for your opnions.

I haven't an opinion on Cadrail (as yet) but I do notice they have a free demo - have you given this a try?

Michael
www.modelrailroader.ca

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 02:59

Kashirigi

Posts: 112
Joined: 2008-01-04

Rapid Prototyping

There's a rapid prototype studio on my way home from work. I have no idea what they charge or if they're any good. I've never modelled anything that I think would be worth the outlay to make a rapid prototyped master. Mind you, $200 isn't bad, and could certainly be worth it for some things. You could fit a lot of N-scale things into a 12x16 tank.

I also like building things with my own hands. Sending a file off to be printed and picking it up on the way home seems too much like work, and doesn't have the same satisfaction level of seeing a model built out of bits of plastic you found in the bottom of a drawer. It gets me away from the computer which is refreshing, too.

--
Japanese N-scale trains in a very tight space: http://yamanotesen.thruhere.net

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 02:20

mni77

Posts: 15
Joined: 2007-05-25

Cycas

I've been using a free version (registration required) of Cycas for Linux to draw some locomotive parts and some other simple designs. The free version has limitations, but I haven't ever needed more in my usage. It's available for Linux and Windows.

I must take a closer look at the QCad. It looks great. Thanks for the link.

--
Mikko
http://kotisivu.lumonetti.fi/mikknis/

Thu, 01/24/2008 - 07:34

ranulf

Posts: 514
Joined: 2005-05-29

I'm running Autocad 14,

I'm running Autocad 14, which is a dinosaur, I know, but still an extremely powerful tool. Best part is I got it for free (disks, manual, access codes, everything) from an engineer who would otherwise have thrown it away, simply BECAUSE it's a dinosaur. I've never gotten good enough with arcs on it to do trackplans, but I use it to make drawings of parts and assemblies for both my model railroading and my hobby machining/fabricating.

"Do Not Hump!?!?! Does that mean what I think it means!?"

I only posted for the points.

Thu, 01/24/2008 - 10:14

a_batey

Posts: 71
Joined: 2007-07-06

I actually worked as an

I actually worked as an electrical draftsman last year as part of my training. Fortuantly i managed to get a copy of autocad 2006 while i was there. It comes in very handy. A freind of mine uses autocad to draw plans to do all his laser cutting (he also works as an electrical draftsman). We also do all our club layout drawings with auto cad but have found a few issues with point not fitting in the real world or and angle being slighlt out somewhere making everything else a bit odd.

I have experimented with 3d cad to use for tooling but have never had any of my work cut out because of the cost and the avaibility.

I belive you can get auto cad using lime wire but it is illegal.

Have a look at my other models.

http://adrianson30.blogspot.com

Mon, 03/17/2008 - 02:02

StarckTruth

Posts: 23
Joined: 2007-12-20

Hi all!

Well, evidently I spazzed out and completely forgot about this post. Thanks for all your feedback and tips!

I've started working on a layout that includes a rather complex trestle, on a curve and with a right-of-way sweeping underneath at a shallow angle. True 3D CAD would probably come in handy there. OTOH, I did enough work at school yesterday to get a really good idea of the structure using a fine piece of technology known as "pencil, paper and geometry instruments." :-)

I was planning on doing some more precise work based on my QCad sketch. I am discovering some rather silly shortcomings; for example, the switchback and the siding are made with Bézier curves, and when I ask for them to be offset they do so only for a tiny segment at a time. This is what we scientists call a "PITA". Still, for these purposes the plan is only a guideline and the real track will have a few differences like the shape of the esses which will be smoothed out. But having a reasonably accurate scale plan view is quite nice, and the ability to query it for track lengths is brrrrrrrrrrrilliant.

[Mod note: The link above will not work. Try this one: http://www.nscale.net/forums/modeling/layout-design-and-planning/2008/03/31/layout-feedback-requested The thread in question had been posted in the wrong forum. It was moved to a more approrpite one. - BDC]

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 06:36

eldecker

Posts: 80
Joined: 2007-03-02

I teach SolidWorks

at my high school, and the student edition costs under 90 dollars. The learning curve using the tutorials is not very steep. For a fully functional, 3-D program you cannot beat the price. It will interface with many printer/plotters, and does well with the 3D printers. We are looking at purchasing a Z-Corp printer at the school. http://www.zcorp.com/Products/3D-Printers/ZPrinter-310-Plus/spage.aspx

At just under 20,000 this is a hefty sum, but if the school will bite........just think of the possibilities for structures....

--
To invent something, all you need is a good imagination,....and a pile of junk. (T.A. Edison)

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 14:00

BryanC

Posts: 1500
Joined: 2005-01-26

Personal Use

eldecker wrote:

... At just under 20,000 this is a hefty sum, but if the school will bite........just think of the possibilities for structures....

Unless they decide to ban personal usage which, at that price, thaey may very well do!

Cheers!

Bryan C
Alligator Lines "The Eclectic Line of the South"

http://ALines.home.att.net

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 14:16

eldecker

Posts: 80
Joined: 2007-03-02

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell

Somebody's got to test the thing...... and I would be the guy who supervised all others using it. Sort of the fox guarding the Henhouse

--
To invent something, all you need is a good imagination,....and a pile of junk. (T.A. Edison)

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 16:46

BryanC

Posts: 1500
Joined: 2005-01-26

Oh well then! Have fun

Oh well then! Have fun ............

Cheers!

Bryan C
Alligator Lines "The Eclectic Line of the South"

http://ALines.home.att.net

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 16:51

Bryan

Posts: 4239
Joined: 2004-02-29

There are some vehicles

There are some vehicles that show up on ebay from time to time that look like they're done with a 3D printer... so it's not like you'd be the first to sneak in some rabbits on an expensive piece of equipment

Bryan

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 19:03

Using CAD Software

Comment viewing options

User login

Similar links

Navigation

News and Info

Syndicate