What CAD software are people using in 2020?

[derekmccoy]

Just curious as to what people are using. I might be missing out on something that could save me time and headaches.
Im currently using an old version (CS6) of Illustrator for almost everything. It handles both geometric and arty stuff fine. It seems to open DXF files every time where Inkscape has trouble sometimes. However, I can't help but think it's not the right tool for the geometric stuff (plates and parts for welding and fabrication).
I was gonna download Draftsight as someone recommended but that's not free anymore. I have noticed FreeCAD is gaining a fanbase. Any recommendations welcome.

[adbuch]

Hi Derek,
For free stuff I use Inkscape and Fusion 360. For $$ stuff I use Design Edge - which is only available with the Plasmacam tables. I use Inkscape mainly for auto tracing bitmap images.
David

[acourtjester]

I use Inkscape and TurboCad 2018 for all I do. TurboCad is fair priced at about $150. purchase, non-subscription type, and is easy to use for me with being self taught. Inkscape being free and has a wide operational use with plugins to expand it use into a flexible platform. You can do free hand drawing, tracing, some CAD, layering, breaking up traced images and varied types of combining of items for different projects. There are many tutorials on YouTube to learn from, answering the old question "how do I do that".

[plasmanewbie]

I am a Corel Draw guy but it costs money so a good free alternative that many members here use is Inkscape. Also use Fusion 360 for mechanical designs but it is very cumbersome for artistic stuff.

[derekmccoy]

I don't mind paying a reasonable price. As long as it's not ridiculous money or subscription.
Another issue I come across is Inkscape doesn't seem to open certain DXF files correctly. Weird lines, missing letters, etc. Illustrator seems to have more success opening files but I need something more in line with a CAD/CAM workflow. Inkscape tells me to open the file in QCAD first then export. Is QCAD any good?

[plasmanewbie]

Corel is reasonable and i find its easier to use than Inkscape and more forgiving when opening others designs. You can subscribe but I don;t like that either so I just bought it outright.

Here is an online converter tool that will convert dxf's that Inkscape doesn;t liker to an svg https://www.plasmaspider.com/viewforum.php?f=200 It actually works very well. Never had much luck with Qcad

[acourtjester]

the conversion site listed above works very well, also with QCAD load the file then save using the file menu drop down and click on advanced SVG export to make a new file then open the Inkscape. Even that DXF is a standard some programs don't play nice.

[Albert2020]

I use ikocam2020 (search you tube)
ikodb dot com

CAD is FREE and simple

[acourtjester]

be aware

no go there.JPG (38.91 KiB) Viewed 1152 times

no go there.JPG (38.91 KiB) Viewed 1152 times

[adbuch]

It's probably better to stick with reputable software.
David

[adbuch]

Corel is reasonable and i find its easier to use than Inkscape and more forgiving when opening others designs. You can subscribe but I don;t like that either so I just bought it outright.

Here is an online converter tool that will convert dxf's that Inkscape doesn;t liker to an svg https://www.plasmaspider.com/viewforum.php?f=200 It actually works very well. Never had much luck with Qcad

I have CorelDraw x7 and use it occasionally.

Also Convertio works well.
David

https://convertio.co/

[robertspark]

be aware
no go there.JPG

all that means is that it is not an Https website

https://www.globalsign.com/en/blog/the- ... -and-https

unless you are transmitting data to / between the site that you consider to be sensitive it is not a problem.... just viewing the site content would not be a problem. YMMV, most of the web was http once.... and largely still is.... there is a drive to Https because of the drive to sell certificates ..... mark shuttleworth didn't get into space for nothing....

https://www.google.com/search?q=mark+sh ... e&ie=UTF-8

verisign(thwart)

[adbuch]

I just visited the site ikodb.com. I did not get the same warning message as shown above. But this does look like it might be some interesting software.
David

[robertspark]

I just visited the site ikodb.com. I did not get the same warning message as shown above. But this does look like it might be some interesting software.
David

ikocam.jpg

features.jpg

The warning depends on your browser settings and whether it is allowed to view HTTP websites without a warning.

If you look at your screenshots on the web address bar, it is because the website is shown as a crossed out lock (i.e. non-secure {not HTTPS}) website.

[acourtjester]

Ok I did go to the HTTPS posted by David and attempted to down load both files ( CAD and CAM) and received the attached notice.
I have downloaded many other .ZIP file without this message showing, it may be that McAfee (what I use) has a problem with how that .ZIP is formatted. It has been shown some file extension may be formatted differently (.DXF). And there is really nothing wrong with the site. When starting to use UCCNC there were .ZIP files downloaded from their site not a problem, I may be too cautious. As it seems the OP did not see a problem.

bad file.JPG (17.8 KiB) Viewed 1132 times

bad file.JPG (17.8 KiB) Viewed 1132 times

[Albert2020]

My Kaspersky antivirus did not report any problem. That is probably false warnings.

I downloaded CAD software and test it. Easy to install, and use.
It is free. You can design part and save it as DXF. To learn just watch 2-3 videos
and


Take me 30 min to learn!!!
-------
Then I downloaded second program CAM for plasma Also it is simple to use. Tracing a BMP image is really simple. You do all stuff inside program.
No Inskape or so. Then you can edit (remove nodes) and generate GCODE.


Also I NEST some parts.


Exchanged couple emails with author - he is still working on CAM program -

[acourtjester]

Ok I did download the .ZIP file and McAfee sniffed them over without a problem, it may have been the location where the file are stored that caused the first flagging of a possible problem.

[Albert2020]