Aloha2U Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 What would you recommend for a kid who really wants to use a CAD software program? I did a quick search and came up with a few options, but I know nothing about this, and it's entirely new for both of us, so I'm looking for suggestions. Here are our current options: Lego Draw – LDraw.org SketchUp – http://www.sketchup.com Tinkercad – https://www.tinkercad.com Any advice will be gladly accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 CMama, One of my sons it taking a CADD class through The Potter's School year. It's been great for him. I'll ask him when he gets home what software they are using. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rai B. Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 DD has been creating stuff with TinkerCAD. For kids I thought it looked like the best option, and she really likes it. She also likes the fact that when her projects is done, TinkerCAD can send it to a 3D printer. It is owned by Autodesk, the makers of AutoCAD—which has been the most common professional CAD program for many years. I think SketchUp looks pretty good, but as a program for older kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I've never used this, but it's on my list to check out sometime. http://www.sixbranches.com/PD.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Ds and I have used Sketch Up. It's a great program, but there is a learning curve. I found that doing the online tutorials, not just listening to them, was a big help. I also got the Missing Manual for Sketch Up. Since Sketch Up is free, you could download it and look at the beginning tutorials. That might give you an idea of whether or not it fits your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Ds is using CAD Inventor and he said that the CAD Inventor Student is a free download. Not sure why The Potter's School instructor chose that software. Hope that helps, Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskra Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I think LDraw is open source, and as such would be my preferred option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloha2U Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Thank you, ladies! I've never used this, but it's on my list to check out sometime. http://www.sixbranches.com/PD.htm Thank you so much for sharing this link! I ended up purchasing Complete-A-Sketch 123 (via Exodus Books—20% off $50 in April) for my little man, with the future intentions of following it up with Advanced and then Practical Drafting if all goes well. Now to decide between the CAD programs that the rest of you mentioned. (Do any of you know if they offer both 2D and 3D?) Although... I believe the author of the previously mentioned manual drafting materials recommends TurboCAD, which offers both 2D and 3D. Perhaps we'll download their free trial (for Mac) for starters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Sketch Up is 2D and 3D.I looked at the Complete a Sketch website. It looks like a book or PDF of a book that teaches mechanical drawing, not a CAD program, right?I taught myself mechanical drawing as a teen, using a book from the library. A bit out of fashion now, but it is a skill that I have used and valued my whole life. IMO, CAD will be easier to do with some experience in old fashioned drafting.If you want to do drawing with layers, SketchBook Express is free and great, with both computer and tablet versions.For computer-based drafting/drawing, you will probably want a pen tablet that attaches to your computer. The Bamboo products are the best known. Much, much, much easier to work with than a mouse or trackpad! I would never go back to mouse/trackpad for drawing after usingy Bamboo. ETA Not sure what you want CAD for, but here are some links: http://www.3ders.org/3d-software/3d-software-list.html http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cad-computer-aided-design-programs.htm http://www.sketchup.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloha2U Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Responses below... Sketch Up is 2D and 3D.I looked at the Complete a Sketch website. It looks like a book or PDF of a book that teaches mechanical drawing, not a CAD program, right? Correct. I taught myself mechanical drawing as a teen, using a book from the library. A bit out of fashion now, but it is a skill that I have used and valued my whole life. IMO, CAD will be easier to do with some experience in old fashioned drafting. I agree with the author that being able to draw without a computer is an important skill for life, and his idea to give students the foundational work of doing technical drawing manually so that they may have a better "feel" and "style" when progressing to CAD programs really spoke to me. Therefore, the Complete-A-Sketch series will lay the foundations for manual drafting, preparing him for both the Advanced and Practical Drafting. Then, after being comfortable with manual drafting, I'll have him complete the lessons with CAD software on the computer. At least, that's my plan at this point. Meanwhile, my little man is itching to play with a CAD program right now, so I need to find one that allows a beginner to experiment without too much frustration, doable but worthwhile. If you want to do drawing with layers, SketchBook Express is free and great, with both computer and tablet versions.For computer-based drafting/drawing, you will probably want a pen tablet that attaches to your computer. The Bamboo products are the best known. Much, much, much easier to work with than a mouse or trackpad! I would never go back to mouse/trackpad for drawing after usingy Bamboo. ETA Not sure what you want CAD for, but here are some links: http://www.3ders.org/3d-software/3d-software-list.html http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cad-computer-aided-design-programs.htm http://www.sketchup.com Which would you suggest for my little man (on our iMac and/or iPad)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloha2U Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I think LDraw is open source, and as such would be my preferred option. We can't get LDraw set-up. The download software link in step 5 doesn't work, so apparently we're waiting for a response from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Coming back to add that ds is using Google sketch up in an engineering club on a project and commented this morning that he doesn't like it nearly as much as the CAD Inventor. He says that Inventor is "easier to use" and "more advanced." This could be b/c he started on Inventor but just throwing that into the mix. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 Responses below...Sorry to be late in getting back to you. What would I suggest? Did I say I was not a professional at this? But here goes. 1. Paper and pencil drafting, as you are doing. 2. Bamboo tablet. It will make a more positive experience. I got the mid priced one out of three models, came with a bunch of software including PhotoShop in an older, but still fine version. The Bamboo pen has a fine point, good for drafting. Get a case while you are at it. 3. Don't plan on spending money for software at this stage. Lots of free versions, because each company wants its software to have as many users as possible. The free versions are excellent, perhaps the functionality of bring able to distribute your designs to multiple users on varied platforms is not here, but who cares? 4. Each program will have a slightly different slant. My suggestion would be to learn more that one program, because in real life, a designer might have to be fluent in several programs. SketchUp is good for 3d architectural and engineering designs, with lots of users and add ons. The free version is now called SketchUp Make. It is a download, works fine on an iMac. SketchBook Express is one dimensional, with layers, fine on a Mac. Also a free version for iPad, but who can really design using a finger or thick iPad stylus? I also looked at TinkerCad, seems fun. It is not a download, but web based. You will have to install Firefox browser and run it from there, doesn't work from Safari. Ds might also like to get familiar with Photoshop or another photo editing program. And don't forget Pages for print design. Start with some of the brochure templates and modify, good practice. Do not get the most recent Pages, as I gather that many of the desktop publishing functions are gone. There are also many free computer animation programs, if that is an interest. Our schools here use Adobe Creative Suite. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 I taught myself mechanical drawing as a teen, using a book from the library. A bit out of fashion now, but it is a skill that I have used and valued my whole life. IMO, CAD will be easier to do with some experience in old fashioned drafting. Responses below... You might want to print some isometric graph paper and let your kids have fun drafting.http://www.printablepaper.net/category/isometric_graph ETA: Free Basic engineering drawing book from archive.org https://archive.org/details/BasicEngineeringDrawing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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