Duct Design Software

[Rickzink]

I am still very new to the plasma table world. My main purpose for acquiring this table is to be able to fabricate square duct more efficiently in our shop. We finally have the bugs worked out from an operational standpoint and I am learning other design type stuff but am just now starting to turn toward the duct design arena. It has come to my attention that there is likely better design software out there that is supposed to be easier to use with regards to designing duct, scaling, etc than Inkscape.

I would like a little input from those who have more experience than I do.

When making recommendations, please keep in mind that I do not have the brain power a lot of you guys have so....talk to me like I'm 6

[AREA]

I have experience with Design2Fab which is now a Hypertherm product I believe. The only problem with duct design software is that it is expensive. I your doing hvac all the time it pays for itself but for the odd duct not so much.

[acourtjester]

Like many things I am looking for I just Google it, I just typed in "Ductwork software and it show some. As stated above specially software is expensive. But the thing is by looking around you may fine cheaper ones or maybe a free one that may do all you need. You may find plugins that will work with other software like Inkscape of a CAD program that will expand them.

[ROKCRLER]

Rick,
I was looking into duct software last year myself.. https://plasmaspider.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32391
I ended up learning SolidEdge, which is free from Siemens and it has been pretty cool making my pieces.
I have not made whole duct lines, only parts and pieces then assemble them.
Here are some examples ive done in SolidEdge:

@robertsparks was kind enough to help with some odd ones, see link above.

Here are two videos i used as a guides:



I'd be glad to show you what little i know if you'd like.

[AREA]

That's great, thanks Rokcrler. I will check that out as I do have the need from time to time and no longer have access to the Design2Fab I used to use.

[adbuch]

Fusion 360 is another option for creating sheet metal ducts, transitions, etc. Here is a pretty good demo video. This process may be a bit more labor intensive than the high dollar programs, but it is free and will get the job done.
David

[AREA]

I had not idea, thanks David, I will check that out

[adbuch]

You are quite welcome! Let me know how you make out.
David

[cstroke]

Yes, I downloaded and started to mess around but got away from it. I think 360 would be an asset once the learning curve is conquered.
I use design2fab and it works fairly well.