Computer-Aided Design

Hey all,

First off, I just saw /r/SiemensNX was banned from reddit? WTF happened?

But since I can't post there I will ask here.

I am trying to add a dimple thru hole onto steel tubing, as shown by this process here

https://www.multicyl.com/applications/tube-piercing/

NX has a dimple tool but it only works on sheet metal, but you can't create tubing in the sheet metal application, nor can I figure out how to convert a tube to a sheet metal body.

Anyone have any thoughts on how I can do this? I am on NX 12 at the moment (though we are supposed to move to the latest continuous release version next year)

With the release of FreeCAD 1.0 I got convinced it was time to give it another shot ... soI've been learning freeCAD for the past week, and to be honest besides a few issues with the sketching (sometimes it tells me it is over constrained when it really technically isn't) I found it to be a stunning comprehensive package where you can put together a whole city, especially when considering the additional community workbenches I was quite surprised nobody is using it as much as Fusion360 or similar. Is it just habit? Or is the the easier and smoother sketching on Fusion THAT big of a deal?? Or is it something else? I'm starting to create some little intricate mechanical assemblies on FreeCAD and I'm glad of more things than the ones I'd be glad with Fusion ... or other free parametric software.
Gotta say tho, the weaker bevel tool does hit me in the guts, tho not often anymore

The certificates in topic are either a CSWA or a Autodesk Certified Assc. (ACS) one, since I want to focus heavily on CAD and then CAE.

My questions are:

1. Does the certificates make any difference? Cause they're probably the most I will spend on an exam..
2. Which one must I choose? I have used Fusion since 2018 and SW since 2020. My personal pref is Fusion, but if CSWA is more worthy, I might reconsider.

Thanks in advance!

so, i need a CAD model of rack and pinion for 3d printing. i dont want to design whole new design if something is available already. any help would be thankful.

I was checking out FC 1.0 and in my first little try, it seems a lot smoother than previous releases. Not up to Inventor or SolidWorks, but still better.

This got me to thinking. Could this be the Alibre killer?

I wouldn't expect FC 1.0 to compete with my Autodesk software, but for now, I kind of think it might have smoother workflow than Alibre Design Expert and with FEA more capable.

Anyone else with this experience or things I'm missing?

For some reason i can't post anything to the AutoCad sub. I am a beginner.

Should i just divide the line into 0.25 mm increments then do the ratio from there? or is there any other way?

Oof, got myself into some pickle - used autocad for ages, now need to move over to alphacam.

Bit of background: Used autocad since early 90s (started dos based :D ), now running a cnc that is taking geometry and toolpathing directly from autocad with SPAI Genio addon on top (Machine is morbidelli 430s).

The biggest question is - does alpha have acad cli like input option ? I usually draw by command line, dont even know where most autocad icons for stuff are located, but looking at alpha its all mouse pokey stuff... like drawing with your left hand (tied behind your back...).

Any recommended video series on youtube to start on alphacad from scratch as at this point i'm learning completely new thing (what with differences in input, ui layout, etc). If mouse pokey is required i'll need to learn where to poke to get results.

As for cli, are there any third party addons to add CLI to alpha ?

I do realise i can import dwg's from acad into alpha, but the place concerned dont have acad... (DXF can go jump off a bridge, btw).

Sorry, kind of a noob when it comes to mechanical simulation. What's my fastest option in Inventor if I need to evaluate motor power for lifting a load vertically?

Thanks so much

Joe

Hi guys ,

currently a 2nd year industrial design student currently doing a year placement in the automotive industry. Basically my question is would there be any real benefit of learning rhino properly? I have >100 hours in rhino that we started learning at uni, however I also know that the whole automotive industry uses alias.

Is there any benefit of continuing to learn rhino? Or should I just start to learn alias?

I’ve heard some people say that alias isn’t always the best tool for general product design but I’m not too sure why? As I wouldn’t just be designing bikes and cars but also general products.

I love to use rhino to sketch in 3d essentially, creating loads of iterations on one sheet. Refining and refining my idea. Would this be a similar process in alias?

Hey r/CAD**!**

I'm a drafter specializing in process piping, and I've been working on a library of 3D models based on standards like ASME, ISO, etc., focusing on high accuracy and detail for design validation and specialized projects.

I’m considering launching this as a resource, but I’m unsure if there’s a big enough market. For those in mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering, would something like this be useful, or do most companies just rely on simplified models in Plant3D or Revit?

If you have a moment, I’d appreciate it if you could check out my site, parametricstandards.com, and let me know what you think. Any feedback or experiences would be really valuable. Thanks in advance!

So, I am a detailer for a small fabrication company and we are looking to move from 2d in AutoCAD LT to a parametric modeller of some sort. For our scale and budget kinda narrowed it down to either SolidWorks, Inventor, or Fusion, but haven't yet picked which one to go with (the wants of engineering vs the restrictions of management/IT) I was wondering if anyone had thoughts or concerns about any of those programs as well as any general advice about migration, the kind of pitfalls to avoid and best practices to implement. I am pretty much starting from the ground up as far as my resources go, and existing infrastructure.

I found I had to use scaling with 4k monitors and my eyes didn't really like that. I switched back to a 32" 1440P screen and it's okay but I'm curious about this 40" Monoprice unit.

Hi, I am looking to create a "lobed knob" (not sure if this is the correct designation) like the one on this mitre gauge.

I am using OnShape, but a general pointer on how to do it would also be helpful.

So far I have tried modelling the contour when looked at from above (sections of straight lines with concave arcs in between them, in a radial pattern) and then sweeping a semicircle along it, however this has lead to a bunch of errors in OnShape.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I need help with converting a surface model to solid. The model was created in AD PowerShape but we need to convert it into solid to make changes in the model. With surfaces I am unable to make any changes. There are no open holes or model errors but is there any way it can be converted into a full fleged solid model? Thanks.

Really struggling and looking for any help. I have a drawing with no dimensions. I know a doorway is 36 ichnes. How do I set up the drawing units if I know a given dimension??

For instance, a door is 36 inches wide. I want to set (units, scale,something) to measure an adjacent wall length?

I am trying to set the dimensions after it is drawn. Any help would be appreciated. Lets assume Autocad, but the terms or commands won't vary too much. I will figure that part out.

I'm about to go back to work full time after some health static, and I have a fair amount of experience with Inventor. However, it's mostly with authoring frame generator profiles. Other than basic modeling and assemblies, what other featuresets are industry relevant? For example, I haven't done too much work with iParts or iPropertiers.

What about Solidworks?

Thanks so much

Joe

Im trying to optimize a design for a bow. Specifically what would be the best angles for the reflexed tips, that would give it the most FPS. Its a composite bow, it'll have 3 different materials that I know I'll have to get the tensile strength of. But I'd like to be able(if possible) to run simulations to determine which angle would be best. Ive started learning the basics of fusion 360, and need a lot of practice. Is this a CAD system that I'd be able to use to find a solution, or would I need to focus on a different platform?

I'm not a daily CAD person, as I mostly do electronics, but I do need MCAD and 2D CAD (i.e. DWG/DXF) in my work.

I use Alibre Expert (my cheaper alternative to Solidworks) for 3D MCAD work.

I use TurboCAD Platinum for some "free form" 3D CAD work and primarily for 2D CAD and format conversion work.

I would not want to work with solely one or the other.

I assume that having more than one tool is a reality for many? But I wanted to see what others think about this. What sole program, or multiple programs do you use and why?

Okay, I come from a field of sheet metalt and pipe work.
By day I use Inventor and 3D Plant.

For the last 5 years I've been switching software too much outside of work.

I've done the Fusion 360, Onshape, Freecad trip - Onshape being my favorite after Autodesk ruined Fusion.

For the last year or so, I've been interested in Rhino. Outside of work I do anything from construction to models for 3D printing. I would like to settle on a piece of software and be done swtiching.

Perpetual license is a must, so right now my choice is between Rhino or Alibre. Two very different programs.

I also must be able to make 2D work drawings from my 3D models.

I just imagine Rhino as something powerful and different from my Autodesk suit at work.

Would it make sense to make the investment and learn the new work flow?

What is the best or go to 3d scanner, I want to scan some cars so I can design body kits. But I only have experience with onshape, and no experience in 3d scanning and mapping. Price is not really I a factor I am taking into account here, so if it cost 1 or 10,000 does not matter.

Hello, I'm having an issue activating my Nanocad account, I've registred my account and i have an account activation email, but when i click on it, and insert my credentials it keeps giving me the error "Incorrect login or password".
The password is correct, I've changed it a couple of times to make sure i was typing the right password but it keeps giving me the same issues, how do I log in my account?

Hey guys, my school uses 3DExperience but I want to do a cheap online course but all I find is v5 stuff. So would it be possible to follow a entry-mid level CATIA v5 course using 3DExperience? Thanks.

I know this article is about 3D printing, but the part that really stands out to me are the claims about implicit, equation based modeling being the future of CAD. I see a lot of potential value here as someone that has been working with CAD and finite element modeling every day for about 15 years.

Does anyone know about the subject and can comment? How would this impact FEA? Seems like a lot of heritage codes like nastran would have to be completely rebuilt if we step away from meshes.

https://all3dp.com/1/the-biggest-hurdle-in-complex-metal-3d-printing-isnt-the-metal-or-the-3d-printers/

Hi, Im doing research for our engineering team. We are considering multiple CAD tools, at the moment it looks like it’s going to be Solidworks. But I want to have some second opinions.

I would love to know what CAD tool you guys are using, and what are the pro’s and con’s versus Solidworks as far as you know.

Thank you for your time!

Hi,

I've made a part in Soliworks that I need to have in 3D DWG format.

I'm struggling with figuring out how I should go about to do this in Solidworks and I only manages to export it as a 2D drawing.

Is there actually a way to export 3D DWG from Solidworks?

Is there any other, free, software I can use to convert some of the Solidworks formats to 3D DWG?

Messing around on civil 3D for a while now and was curious if there is a way to link the Sheet Title to read the Sheet Number? I know there is a sheetset renumber commend which would help me a lot if there was a way to link the autogenerated number to the sheet title in sheet set manager.

Thank you in advance!

I went to college for drafting but have been out of the loop on free software. He is doing some large wood working hobby projects and is looking for free CAD software. He tried SketchUp but did not like it.

I am wondering if there is any solution out there where you can use your camera to "scan" an object and make the CAD object from it?

What CAD program has the best scripting capabilities which will intake key dimension of plastic elbow fittings (including multi piece elbows with a zoomed in view for other key dimensions) and automatically create drawings with dimensions annotations and tables for other dimensions. It doesn't have to have capabilities to intake dimensions within the program - I am ok using python script to create a script for the CAD software. I have tried using autolisp and that is a dumpster fire.

So my school is using Siemens Nx for its cad software and they want me to make a drawing using the drafting application that’s in Siemens. The only problem is that I can’t find the drafting application anywhere even when I search for it nothing comes up even my Lab instructor was lost. Please help me I don’t know what to do.