Turbo Cad worth it or not

[Offroad Perfection]

Anyone proficient in Turbo Cad? I new to it catching one slowly seems very cumbersome for just 2D basic shapes. Is there any good training videos out there of simpler Drawing software?

[acourtjester]

I use it and like it, if you PM me with your email address I can send you some videos (from the Google drive) I made with some explanations. It will help you with the basics.
If you watch other CAD YouTube video there are many similar functions they may use with different names but do the same things.
Be sure you get the CAD version not the design version, I am using TurboCad 20.2, I have used it for many different projects, 3-D printing, Plasma G-codes and Router projects.
A link for the first video on Google drive

turbocad.JPG (49.39 KiB) Viewed 7854 times

turbocad.JPG (49.39 KiB) Viewed 7854 times

[caretech]

If you want powerful drawing for the unbeatable price of free... I use FreeCAD for any dimensioned drawing. Its sketcher and constraint tools are powerful and getting better all the time. With the release of version 1.0 early next year, the sketching will be the most intuitive and fast that it's ever been.

It's also very simple to extrude your drawing into a 3D shape if you want to visualize how your part will look after cut.

[cutnweld]

i have used turbocad for the last 7 years or so for all my plasma parts. It is easy to run, any program is cumbersome til you learn it IMO. It is useless for 3d but works well for 2d, tho I dont think it is any better then any others, I chose it for price

[4130metalworks]

I am looking at converting over to turbocad from emachineshop software. Which version is best for mechanical parts?
My main reason for the swap is to be able to “ build” my product and test fit before cutting. For example draw a box and explode it into 6 parts for cutting on my plasma, currently i have to paper print or cut parts
Sheet cam would still handle g code

Can turbocad do this?

[adbuch]

The 2022 version looks interesting - and the price seems very reasonable.

David

https://www.amazon.com/TurboCAD-2022-De ... B0B2ZNHVG9

[acourtjester]

TurboCam has 2 versions of their package one is for design work like home blue prints and the other is for mechanical drawings like for CNC cutting.
I did order the wrong one as an update and they refunded my money. So just contact them as to what you want to do and they should tell you which version you should buy. I don't think the one posted above is the one you want, unless they have changed it.

[cutnweld]

I use it only for 2d drawings, IMO it is not a good 3d program. I use alibre for 3d

[Joe Jones]

Look at DesignSpark Mechanical, a FREE and FANTASTIC program!

Joe

http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/me ... l-software

[adbuch]

I use it only for 2d drawings, IMO it is not a good 3d program. I use alibre for 3d

Fusion 360 is my favorite for 3D modeling. I used to use SolidWorks, but made the transition to Fusion 360 several years ago.
Fusion 360 is also great for 2D drawings. Easy to draw and export as dxf.

David

[kicktillmonday]

I'm with David on Fusion360 for 3d modeling. I found it very easy to learn and plenty of video support out there to learn what you need.

[elmendalerenda]

I'd recommend checking out some YouTube tutorials. For something simpler, you might also try FreeCAD or DraftSight.

[adbuch]

There are many good Fusion 360 tutorial videos on youtube. In particular, I recommend those from Arnold Rowntree. I went thru these several time a few years ago when I was making the transition from SolidWorks to Fusion 360.


Also Langmuir Systems has some nice Fusion 360 tutorial videos geared towards cnc plasma cutting.
https://www.langmuirsystems.com/software/fusion


David

[cutnweld]

I went with Alibre over Fusion because I cannot stand the thought of using cloudbased software, I want it on my computer, able to be used whether the internet is up or down, with no one watching. My $.02

[kicktillmonday]

I went with Alibre over Fusion because I cannot stand the thought of using cloudbased software, I want it on my computer, able to be used whether the internet is up or down, with no one watching. My $.02

I'm not a fan of the cloud based aspect of Fusion either and it being cloud based has bit me in the ass a couple times in the past. I am used to it now and the software is good so I won't be switching but for anyone trying to choose software to use this is a very valid point.

[kn612]

I went with Alibre over Fusion because I cannot stand the thought of using cloudbased software, I want it on my computer, able to be used whether the internet is up or down, with no one watching. My $.02

Going through the same now. Trying to find good cad software that is parametric and affordable all while able to use offline.

Do you have to connect to the internet every so often with alibre to validate the license? Thinking of buying alibre next time it's on sale. Used their trial version, it's the closest I've found to solidworks which is so easy to use.

Used solidworks maker edition for a bit but it needed updating all the time. Have been using Autodesk inventor student edition lately. It only needs an internet connection once every 30 days. It's free if you have a .edu email address.

[adbuch]

Fusion 360 has an "off-line" mode as well.
David

[4130metalworks]

I have been told that if you join the experimental aircraft association or eaa for $48 it includes solidworks as part of the membership
I am checking on that now

[adbuch]

I have been told that if you join the experimental aircraft association or eaa for $48 it includes solidworks as part of the membership
I am checking on that now

I have heard that in the past, but still with my previous experience using SolidWorks for may years I now much prefer Fusion 360 - easier to use and better cleaner user interface. I still have my SolidWorks perpetual license which I purchased back around 2016 or so.

David

[4130metalworks]

It's solid edge community version, you can join for free without eaa membership. Other than watermarks and been for hobby use it's meant to be a full version that's free for life

[adbuch]

I have used Solid Edge in the past, and there has been some discussion previously. I seem to remember that Mo likes it and was using it for some of his projects. I think he also mentioned that since it was not "cloud based" he didn't need to worry about his files being out there on the internet. Fusion 360 offers the choice of saving your design to either the AutoDesk server, your own personal computer, or both. I don't personally have a problem with my Fusion 360 files residing on their server, so that is what I do.

viewtopic.php?p=225970&hilit=solid+edge#p225970

David