Does all this knowledge apply to graysoftware's CAD X11?

[aharon]

Hi everybody, thank you for having me.

I am totally ignorant about "CAD". I downloaded a free (open platform) CAD software from graysoftware, the CAD X11, hoping to draw a motorcycle frame for a conversion to electric project.

Please forgive my ignorance, but is "Autocad" a brand, like a specific software from a specific company? Putting in other words, will the plentiful of generous information that I found here help me learn to draw on the CAD X11?

I am reasonably proficient in Corel Draw, but this means nothing when it comes to CAD...

Please clarify whether I should head to the door or get a new CAD software (in the case, "Autocad")?

Whatever your answer, I must say I am amazed with the friendly way this unbelievable amount of knowledge is offered.

Aharon

[ReMark]

Welcome to the CADTutor forum.

 

AutoCAD is just one of many CAD-related products offered by AutoDesk. Another one is Inventor. I mention that because I think you'd be better off with Inventor than you would be with AutoCAD. Are you a student?

[aharon]

Hi ReMark, as a matter of fact I attend school everyday from 8 to noon... studying Hebrew!

I am 56 y.o., have loved motorcycles all of my life, and I am currently fascinated with the new craze of converting ICE bykes to electric power.

My desire to learn how to draw CAD stems from this project I have been nurturing for the last six months: to take an existing frame, slightly modify it to my needs and then make it happen!

To my chagrin, I realized CAD is not intuitive at all - there is much preparation involved, which is simply fair: the results are simply astounding! The fish illustration on top of this page tells exactly what I mean!

After posting my question, I googled autocad 14 and was taken aback at the cost: $4K! That alone made me reconsider my "Paint Brush Pro" Even if "Inventor" costed like, half that, it would be way too much for the limited use I would have for the software. Perhaps I will indeed have to gracefully bow, and find my way to the nearest door hahaha!

But that is ok. Hopefully ruler, pencil and brains will make do.

[ReMark]

Yes, you'll find most AutoDesk products to be fairly expensive. Even AutoCAD LT (a scaled down version can set you back $600). There are a number of "freebie" CAD programs available and some do a fairly decent job from what I understand. Some software, such as ZWcad can be downloaded and used for 30 days before some features (printing is one of them) no longer function. It is based on the Intellicad core and comparable to AutoCAD.

 

Just went for a motorcycle ride this morning for a couple of hours. This is perhaps my favorite time of year for riding. Start with a cool morning and gradually warm up as the day goes on. Stop at some roadside diner, grab a coffee and an egg sandwich and it just makes for a great way to start one's day.

[ReMark]

A link for ZWcad.

 

http://zwcadusa.com/?utm_campaign=PRweb&utm_source=PPC

 

Alibre Design 3D Cad software.

 

http://mkt.alibre.com/testdrive?pi_ad_id=6021357012&_kk=ZWCAD&_kt=3cafc17a-18e5-4272-8e5a-368017de65dd&gclid=CLnP-93_paQCFZhL5QodfiXX5A

[aharon]

Thank you, ReMark, you are a very kind person.

G-d bless!

Aharon