12-15-2024, 10:48 AM
I was about to suggest going to some mechanical engr forums and asking for a free CAD recommendation, plus using Google to simply look for such a CAD, but it seems like you more or less have done the same.
Free tools ain't necessarily bad; KiCAD, which I used maybe twice and have installed on my work computer (a small cvompany we acquired at some point did jobs using it), upon having myself used it, turned out quite a capable tool. (Even though the guys who used it were amaturish, judging by the circuits they used and the PCB routing. But they were good otherwise.)
So, some of the free mechanical CADs might turn out to be not bad either.
I used AutoCAD/AutoDesk over 30 years ago when starting my career in the US, and having to wear multiple hats, one of which was dealing with mechanical designs. I since have not used anything at all other than EE CADs. Folks around me used everything from the AutroCAD, Pro-E, Inventor, and to SolidWorks. I try to not to get myself involved in any of that, as if one does, he will be immediately pulled into doing things in it, and this involves heavy duty dealing with all things Microsoft, like Axapta/BlueStar, and this is a nightmare.
Free tools ain't necessarily bad; KiCAD, which I used maybe twice and have installed on my work computer (a small cvompany we acquired at some point did jobs using it), upon having myself used it, turned out quite a capable tool. (Even though the guys who used it were amaturish, judging by the circuits they used and the PCB routing. But they were good otherwise.)
So, some of the free mechanical CADs might turn out to be not bad either.
I used AutoCAD/AutoDesk over 30 years ago when starting my career in the US, and having to wear multiple hats, one of which was dealing with mechanical designs. I since have not used anything at all other than EE CADs. Folks around me used everything from the AutroCAD, Pro-E, Inventor, and to SolidWorks. I try to not to get myself involved in any of that, as if one does, he will be immediately pulled into doing things in it, and this involves heavy duty dealing with all things Microsoft, like Axapta/BlueStar, and this is a nightmare.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.