[TheForge] RE: Layout tools

[Ralph Douglass]

Andrew Vida wrote:
> 
> CAD isn't a panacea, but it surely has it's place.  Drawing by hand is a
> lot more fun, at least for this old mechanical drawing teacher, but as
> someone else pointed out, making changes becomes a mess in a hurry and
> the more complex the work, the harder it is to keep things straight.
> One great aspect of CAD for mechanical design is the ability to check
> for interference between parts.  A good CAD package will also provide
> tools for lists of materials, as well as many other tasks.  I have used
> AutoCAD, which IMO sucks ass from the standpoint of GUI design,
> DesignCAD which is a great true-3D package for the money, and MasterCAM,
> which isn't really considered CAD, but rather CAM.  I don't see any
> fundamental difference really, except that it will generate tool paths
> for CNC machinery.  It's a great package, but very $$.

Bah! Who needs drawing. More fun to SWAG a design. <VBG>

Wish I COULD draw. one of my biggest drawbacks in my smithing. I can
'see' it but can not translate the vision to paper.

Ralph
-- 
"Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision."