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blaze15301
10-22-2010, 01:14 PM
i just got offered a job doing race tracks. for this local guy who cant do cad. i know very little of it. but i need some free software. and a tutorial. this jb is far to good for me to pass up. so any advice, wisdom,or anything for that matter would be of great help
Airbozo
10-22-2010, 01:42 PM
Race tracks?

Like Taledega?
blaze15301
10-22-2010, 01:43 PM
no im guessing like hot wheel cars. im not entirely sure but he basickly needs someone with basic skills to make them for the cnc operator. im having issues finding free software.

i know its on a small scale
Airbozo
10-22-2010, 02:29 PM
I used Scetchup to model a piece of track for an HO car track. I may still have a few examples. I did this to assist in designing new track for my stuff.
blaze15301
10-22-2010, 02:46 PM
is there a plug in to convert sketchup to cad?
Airbozo
10-22-2010, 03:22 PM
I think Scetchup can export in dwg format.

Checking now...

EDIT: Yes you can import and export dfx and dwg files.

EDIT2: BTW, there is a program called "Easy Cad". I know there are also some free cad programs, that are fairly powerful, but require some learning of the commands and utilities.
SXRguyinMA
10-22-2010, 03:28 PM
actually you can only export DFX, DXF, and DWG with sketchup PRO $500
blaze15301
10-22-2010, 03:33 PM
i wanna thank you both but i got the sketchup pro . umm wont say how. but it shall do for now. im hoping the guy will let me do this. i still don't get why it has to be dwg for a cnc machine.


edit; i just found out for my class next semester im goign to be using something called cadstd
Airbozo
10-22-2010, 03:47 PM
actually you can only export DFX, DXF, and DWG with sketchup PRO $500

Woops!

Thanks, you are correct!

OK, search for free cad programs.
blaze15301
10-22-2010, 05:45 PM
is auto cad a secure site and are they any good.


edit; i mean this lol http://students.autodesk.com/. is that any good.
OvRiDe
10-22-2010, 07:06 PM
LOL.. AutoCAD is THE standard in Computer Aided Drafting. AutoDesk pretty much pioneered the whole CAD industry and thus every one since has been emulating them. So in short.. YES AutoCAD is good.. in fact .. VERY good.
Oneslowz28
10-23-2010, 06:15 AM
I learned on Auto CAD 2000 Student back in high school. If you are going to learn on CAD Std next year then buy it. CAD STD and AutoCAD are just similar enough to confuse the hell out of you. If you do go the Auto CAD route, take a day or so and learn the text commands, they will drastically speed things up.