CAD type software????

[Modo Innovations]

I have been drafting my prints for our pedals by hand the old fashion way. I am wondering what is the best software to buy (cheap) that will give me Auto CAD type results for 2D drawings? I have been looking at this softwarehttp://store.yahoo.com/cadandgraphics/tcad11.html. Is anyone familiar with this software? Or what do you suggest?
Thanks in advance.

[jakespeeds]

Autocad lite should work pretty well and it is cheap. But it also depends on what your idea of cheap is.

[Rubes]

Alibre Design is still "giving away" its Xpress 3D design for free. It may be too complicated if all you are doing is real simple designs, but it may also alow you more freedom to do more complex designs if you take the time to learn it. But I understand this FREE software REQUIRES an internet connection and forces adware (they claim on an "un-obtrusive ad bar"). I think you could pay a small fee to disable this though.

Otherwise AutoCAD LT is probably a good choice for a couple hundred bucks. If you know a college student you should be able to get this from the college bookstore for a discount. Years ago I got AutoCAD14 for $100 like that. I know there are many "cheap" cad packages out there though, so find something that works for you and have fun...its almost as addicting as these cars!!



Rubes

[wantahertzdonut]

When I was in school you could get these and other programs from the library for less than $25 or something rediculous like that. AutoCAD may have been more expensive, I can't remember for sure. But if you can still get it for $1-200, you still have a deal.

The 3D portion of it is very weak in my opinion and not user friendly. But if you don't have any ambition to go that route, AutoCAD can't be beat in the 2D department.

[Matt@RFR]

Search for "DeltaCad". It's around $50, very simple, not powerfull at all, but cheap. I used it before SolidWorks.

[MoeBawlz]

There is other FREE 2D CAD out there. I use to have a bunch of links but ill have to dig em up. Also as stated before Alibre Design is Free too, but you have to be connected to the internet to use it.

PM me when you get a chance, I may be able to help you out.

[72nova]

I am in the electrical apprenticeship and my teacher told me about a site called journeyed.com. You have to be a student to get these programs but there cheap. You could have a student get them for you. Might be something to look into.

[Chris C.]

Dude pm me, I have autocad 2004 and Solidworks 2006 on my home computer. I could whip them up in 10 minutes and a 3D model you could upload into a CnC machine in about a half hour. I used to have my own CAD business and now I am back working for a BIG 3 and all the japanese motor works Tier one supplier. I have done custom billet items for some of my biker friends and currently having a billet intake for a 10.5 radial drag car debuting this year with a 5.4 ford mod motor twin dominator intake. I also have a 4x2 throttle body intake in design for a 5.0 ford motor. It uses 4 '99 cobra stock throttle bodys and looks like four weber carbs. The fuel injection rails run down the middle of the intake. You can also contact me at [email protected]