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For 2D CAD applications, you can also gently caress around with DraftSight (3DS's AutoCAD killer). For a long time that program was free but now I think they have $99/year subscriptions for it if you want to do any quick-and-dirty 2d drawings of things (and they may still have a free version, but I stopped loving with that when they made you register it every 30 days). Maybe not so useful for 3d modelling and printing of things, but most hobbyist CAM packages like the dxf output you can get from Draftsight and if you have a K40 laser or inherited the rare waterjet that isn't a bitch to maintain and run, the machine will usually have native support for the 2d DXF output as well. Also for 100% organic/artistic 3d modelling programs, you can't go wrong with Zbrush/Sculptris. poo poo is cool, but as noted in the OP there is no real dimensional accuracy (though you can take a model and "scale to fit" if you're importing the file into a 3d printer's slicer software, etc.). Comedy 3d modelling option - BRL-CAD; it's the US Army's open source 3d modelling software. Like a bastard baby of OPENSCAD and other circa 1980s 3d solid modelling software, but supposedly very powerful when it comes to simulations. The US Army uses it to run simulations on how much damage tanks and planes can take before system failures/destruction, so if you're super loving bored you can do similar things like "How much can a Ford Escort stand up to?" (assuming you have an accurate 3d model of one).
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Mar 18, 2021 11:59
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mattfl posted:Man, I took AutoCAD classes in high school(when autocad still launched in DOS lol I'm old) and I was certain it was what I wanted to do when I got older. I even worked for a while for a company that installed nurse call systems and intercom systems in schools as their "autocad" guy that did the layout of everything. I was fresh outta high school and it was my first real job. I liked it but I had a long commute and the money wasn't that great so I got a new job and haven't touched a CAD program since. There is a rumor that Solidworks is going to experiment with offering a $99/year subscription license for hobbyists/makers sometime this year, so I'd look into the tutorial videos for it on Youtube or LinkedIn to get familiar with the workflow (because it is a wildly different perspective from old-school CAD). I work for a place that still uses old 2D CAD for some product lines because the shop workflow doesn't "benefit" from having multiple Solidworks licenses to do all of the 2D CAD drawings for those simpler products, and some of the younger guys they hired out of college in our Engineering department had no loving clue how to correctly draft things in AutoCAD for the couple weeks it took to teach them how things work. Going from a software that accurately applies dimensions to sketch lines to one where you have to accurately draw the 2d lines and then apply dimensions was a serious mind-gently caress for them.
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Mar 18, 2021 14:22
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Ambrose Burnside posted:fuckin’ A, thank you- mind if i add it to the OP? No, there are fees to take the certification exams, access to Solidworks' online classes are free if you have a valid license (I think?). If you had VIP access to this year's Solidworks World (or 3dExperience World) you have free access to exams until the end of July (reminds me I need to study up and take some exams to work towards my Expert certification; have a Professional certification but it'd be nice to get that last thing).
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Mar 18, 2021 15:46
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mattfl posted:Hmm, through my work we have full access to LinkedIn Learning, so I'll def head over there and check out the courses they have. The ones by Gabriel Corbet (I think I spelled that right) are really detailed and well done, they're the ones I used to really get started waaaaaaaaay back in 2006 when I first started using Solidworks at work. He regularly publishes update courses with each Solidworks release, too. Korwen posted:Does anyone have a preferred series of tutorial videos for Fusion 360? For someone totally new to CAD it's a bit daunting and video tutorials seem like the way to get started, just wanted to see if anyone had a preferred youtube channel/website/etc. Back in the day this was a good starting point webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbSkwvZyU_0 Skip to about 8:30 to get past the preamble stuff. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 15:50 on Mar 18, 2021 |
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Mar 18, 2021 15:47
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No, not easily. An STL is like applesauce while NURBS style models are like apples. Turning apples into applesauce is easy, turning applesauce into apples is not.
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Mar 22, 2021 00:53
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Yeah. My favorite thing is that the exams seem to be mostly about basic competency stuff and one or two questions that will gently caress you if you aren't aware of some random command you can use in a specific scenario. Not super difficult, but I was a bit disappointed by all the studying I put in before taking my certifications. I regularly use a lot of poo poo that wasn't in the Professional certification and could probably take the Expert certification, but because it has the word "exam" in it I want to take it when I won't be disturbed and finding the time for that is a pain in the rear end. I have until the end of July to do the free exams from my VIP 3DExperience World access though, so at least I'm not out any money if I take them before then.
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Mar 25, 2021 12:27
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Ambrose Burnside posted:Any general tips for someone looking to get the SW credentials? I’ve used Solidworks on and off for years, both academically and professionally, and am generally proficient w solids modelling, but i’m very rusty on surfaces and am generally out of practice. I still have very comprehensive SW training textbooks from when i took CAD courses, but idk how well a random textbook will Teach To The Test. You've pretty much described how I learned the software, and other than suggesting you look through the practice exams I think you'll do just fine. I think most of the categories have sample exams, but here is the page for the CSWA (basically "Babby's first Solidworks test"). https://www.solidworks.com/certifications/mechanical-design-cswa-mechanical-design
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Mar 25, 2021 18:59
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I would've just used a Revolved Cut command where I wanted the hole and o-ring groove to be located (and maybe a separate point sketch and Sketch Driven Pattern if this feature was going to be in multiple places in the model). That way if I needed to change the feature I'd only need to edit the base-level sketch that drives the hole/o-ring groove.
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Apr 5, 2021 16:22
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oXDemosthenesXo posted:OMG thank you whoever posted about the EAA solidworks deal. Here's the info if anybody else is interested. https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-membership/eaa-member-benefits/solidworks-resource-center/eaa-solidworks-standard gently caress, now I'm going to sign up. Plus the museum access benefit because I'm a museum nerd (once the pandemic settles down and it's safe to travel again).
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Apr 5, 2021 20:05
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Ambrose Burnside posted:haha what the gently caress how does this happen. more importantly why does your workplace put up with a workflow that is manifestly someone doing masochist kink play at work Lots of workplaces believe that suffering is part of work and encourage those that add to it.  oXDemosthenesXo posted:Forcing him to fix his poo poo works most of the time. I'll keep that police option as a backup in case it ever fails. Literally the only time I do this is if I'm going to take that file and use it in SolidCAM/CAMWorks to generate a nested CNC part program (because gently caress the programming workflow at the Assembly level for CAMWorks and attempting any kind of toolpath efficiency between part bodies, plus it's a hilarious memory hog and will make the PC lock up for several minutes every time I try to change something when programming at the Assembly level). Why would anybody design a multi-body part intentionally when Top-Down design in Assembly Mode exists?
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Apr 6, 2021 15:37
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His Divine Shadow posted:Who makes the best solidworks tutorials, who is the lars equivalent? I like Gabriel Corbett's tutorials over on LinkedIn (pretty much the only reason I have an account there). Here's a discussion on Reddit about them if you want some more context. https://www.reddit.com/r/SolidWorks/comments/g1td86/gabriel_corbetts_linkedin_learning_courses_are/
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Apr 7, 2021 11:59
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Probably need fewer and longer segments for that to work the way you want it to.
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Apr 8, 2021 16:13
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His Divine Shadow posted:By the way, when I radiused the corners I used fillets, but if I used the formula width of tenon / 2 then I could not use two fillets to create one radius. I had to remove .05mm from each fillets radius or Solidworks complained. I was used to doing it the way I mentioned first from Fusion 360. Is there a better way to radius the edges so I get a true radius that is half the width? This feels like a bit of hack. The best way to do that is using the Fillet Feature. Best practice is to keep your sketches as simple as possible and have your complex patterns/etc. at the feature level, generally speaking.* And in your specific case, you'll want to use the Full Round Fillet feature option and pick the left, top and right surfaces as your reference surfaces and let the feature calculate the fillet radius. EDIT: Like this  The "Side Face Set 2" pointer is pointing at the surface on the back of the part, but it's hard to get a good view of that in a 2d screencap. If you duplicate what I did here you'll be able to rotate your view and see what it's actually pointing at. EDIT #2: *I say this because one of the "quirks" of Solidworks (heh) is that the more calculation you load into a sketch, the more time it takes Solidworks to process during rebuilds vs. simplifying things out into distinct features. This can make for a lengthy feature tree depending on how complex a part you're making, but then again, that's what design iteration and planning is for. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 12:12 on Apr 12, 2021 |
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Apr 12, 2021 12:05
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His Divine Shadow posted:I don't know, just this sketch here won't ever get used in a proper 3D model I think. I am just after it for the 2D dimensions. I am just using solidworks here as a cheat sheet, so all the math is done for me, I can probably just write the results down on a paper and then make the template on the tablesaw from plywood. Still even so the purpose is just to generate a template and not be used as a feature in some other design. So it'll always be very small and contained. You can use the Drawing side of Solidworks to populate the printout to let you know what the radius calculates out to. Sketches in Solidworks are not Drawings (though you can make links between data in the one to populate tables/etc. in the other, Solidworks treats them as separate things and they serve different purposes). Separate the two in your mind and you'll save yourself a lot of grief going from old school drafting habits to 3d modelling habits.
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Apr 12, 2021 16:36
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His Divine Shadow posted:One thing I like about Fusion 360 is when I try and rotate the view it, it just works, like intuitively. When I rotate something in solidworks or solid edge for that matter, the model just seems to also rotate in multiple random directions plus the one I intended and I can't make heads or tails of it and it's so incredibly frustrating. This is context-dependent on exactly where the cursor is on the screen and what the snap/selection options are configured to and what may or may not be selected when starting the rotation (and has apparent bugs in it unless you've watched Gabriel Corbett's videos about Solidworks and how everything functions). Not saying Fusion isn't better, but for all the initial freedom people seem to think is in Solidworks, it is still pretty well hard coded into certain behaviors.
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Apr 20, 2021 11:25
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His Divine Shadow posted:From what I understood about Gabriel Corbetts videos he wanted money for them so I haven't seen those. I mean, they're on LinkedIn Learning and they're pretty well done. I don't know how much/if any money he gets for them but you get what you pay for.
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Apr 20, 2021 12:33
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Ugh, I hate SolidworksCAM/CAMWorks. It's fine in a single-user environment but absolutely blows chunks once more than one user is involved. Zero PDM compatibility because it uses local PC temporary files (a whole other WTF decision) to store CAM data associated with a model file, absolutely lovely TechDB implementation if a network is involved, etc. It's great basic-level hobbyist CAM, but I've got 11 year old CAM software at work that still has more quality-of-life programming features than it does. Like, multiple toolpath patterning? In my ancient CAM software when I pattern tool paths there is a prompt asking if I want to pattern operations to consolidate tool changes or maintain the existing tool change workflow (useful when machining flexible materials that will contract after machining and where feature alignment is more critical than outright "speed"). in CAMWORKS I have to manually program the entire workflow I want, pain in my rear end.
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Apr 21, 2021 10:30
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My favorite thing about CAMWorks is that, for all the bragging their resellers do about integration with Solidworks, they can't even integrate it so that something as basic as the Undo command works correctly within CAMWorks (while the MasterCAM plugin does work correctly in this way, also the defunct HSMWorks and other programs like it). It's a simple thing, but you wouldn't believe how big a mess of broken toolpaths will be created if you're working on a complex part and accidentally hit Undo while working in the CAM tabs. If you're a hobbyist wanting to get into CAM, your best bet is something like V-carve or Kipware, depending on the workflow you want. EDIT: Maybe something like the offerings by a goofy company named Dolphin? Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 15:23 on Apr 21, 2021 |
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Apr 21, 2021 15:15
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Sagebrush posted:Yeah CAMWorks / built-in solidworks CAM is garbage. It's amazingly janky and poorly integrated for something that's included with the package. I can confirm that it was officially discontinued as far as support for Solidworks goes (it is the foundation for the CAM used in Fusion360, as a matter of fact), at least as of 2019 (though they may have changed their mind depending on how well that complaint campaign went). EDIT: Looks like they did bring it back, also HSMXpress is free if you have a throwaway email address for marketing spam and 2.5D is as much CAM as you require. https://www.autodesk.com/products/hsmworks/overview?term=1-YEAR#! Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 16:53 on Apr 21, 2021 |
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Apr 21, 2021 16:34
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I guess there would be a difference in loving around with a software for fun vs. being forced to use it in a high-stress production environment. Imagine being required to use OpenSCAD to generate 3d models for a production environment instead of Solidworks.
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Apr 21, 2021 16:48
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oXDemosthenesXo posted:At my first job about ten years ago I had to create and edit production drawings in og AutoCAD. Not create drawings from 3D CAD, create them directly with lines. Oh, we still have that, too. Legacy CAD systems for legacy product support, Solidworks seat just for design of one product line and CAMWorks to generate CNC programs for that product line. NewFatMike posted:You should talk to your boss, VAR, or therapist about it instead of taking it out on folks saying they're enjoying something. Me calling the software garbage is not taking anything out on anybody. Also my boss agrees with me, but he doesn't hold the purse strings on capital expenditures.
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Apr 21, 2021 18:35
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NewFatMike posted:What I'm trying to convey here is that your response is disproportionate in the extreme. I'm genuinely trying to be kind here. So you're taking issue with my "tone" and not the actual substance of my complaints about the software? Did you gloss over where I said this: biracial bear for uncut posted:It's great basic-level hobbyist CAM, but I've got 11 year old CAM software at work that still has more quality-of-life programming features than it does. There are far better options out there (many of them even free, or next-to-free) that will do the job most of the folks in this sub-forum want to do, without any of the quirky/janky headaches of the software you're defending.
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Apr 21, 2021 19:49
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I disabled avatars and signatures back when a previous group of moderators thought it was funny to give gay porn avatars to people that posted in a D&D thread about racism in the US during Trump's first campaign, but only those that said it is still a huge problem (& also rename posters while doing so, I didn't pick this screen name). There really needs to be a specific CAM thread anyway, because differentiating between CAM for subtractive manufacturing and additive manufacturing could be its own topic. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 01:57 on Apr 22, 2021 |
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Apr 22, 2021 01:54
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Sagebrush posted:There's already a hobby CNC thread which is sleepy and totally appropriate for CAM-specific questions. I think this thread is supposed to be for the modeling part, especially for additive work, since it grew out of the 3D printing thread. I thought the hobby CNC thread was more geared towards the setup of the hardware side of things (good hobby level suggestions for drivers, power supplies, etc.). Still wish I had room to set up and experiment with one of those hilarious Maslow CNC builds for the rough woodworking hobby poo poo people in my area like to buy because I'd love to get some supplemental income going.
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Apr 22, 2021 11:56
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NewFatMike posted:I just got served an instagram ad for some company selling those Maslows as a kit - aren't they like crazy cheap to build in the first place? Depends wildly on the local cost of lumber/an assortment of bricks to get the counterweights right, but yeah.
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Apr 22, 2021 15:41
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Yooper posted:What's the goto portable shareable file format? I'm working on a machine project and one supplier is using Solidworks, another is using SolidEdge. IGES? Step? For those specific programs, SolidEdge can open Solidworks files: http://www.soliddna.com/SEHelp/ST5/EN/i_v/opensw1a.htm And Solidworks can open SolidEdge files: https://help.solidworks.com/2020/english/SolidWorks/sldworks/t_Solid_Edge_Files.htm So whatever you're using, each supplier can open the other format. Just make sure to Pack-and-Go when sending stuff. EDIT: This is because both companies use the same foundation format for their file structures, but different interfaces.
Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 16:16 on Apr 22, 2021 |
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Apr 22, 2021 16:14
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If all they need is bolt locations, exporting the normal-to view of each bolt hole pattern in 1:1 DXF formats should be good for their purposes.
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Apr 22, 2021 18:50
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NewFatMike posted:drat that sucks. I'm gonna keep sharing the EAA one because Titan can suck the poo poo directly out of my rear end in a top hat.  gently caress Titans of CNC Academy.
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May 12, 2021 13:18
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Yooper posted:What is so lovely about it? I'm not familiar with Titan other than seeing him on some MSC catalog. He's the rear end in a top hat that tells people to run CNC machine tools far faster than they should be run and dramatically decreasing the lifespan of any given tool he makes "recommendations" on (and also dramatically increasing the risks of injury if a failure occurs and tool/stock fly out of a given fixture). But of course, he doesn't give a gently caress about tool lifespan, because he gets free tools for his endorsement of said tool. Also he's a COVID-denier rear end in a top hat.
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May 12, 2021 18:08
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60 Hertz Jig posted:Are there any recommendations for good Solidworks lessons/courses? I've been using it (and Inventor, plus a few others) for something like 15 years, but mostly as a machinist that occasionally needs to design and make jigs/fixtures/small projects. This course is a pretty good series. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/solidworks-2020-essential-training Waaaaaaaaaay back around Solidworks 2006 I used the then-current version of this book to learn the ins-and-outs of Solidworks. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1630574007 Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 02:17 on May 18, 2021 |
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May 18, 2021 02:13
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Whatever the kernel format is under Solidworks? Parasolid? It's one of the Save-As options people used to use when sharing models from current Solidworks with older versions of Solidworks.
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May 19, 2021 00:05
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CSWA is basically "babby's first certification" in terms of Solidworks certifications for each section of Solidworks. The CSWP is where things start getting serious, but they still have generous time limits. Thanks for reminding me that I need to take my remaining certifications so I can get my CSWE. As far as companies hiring people go, having these certificates just tells them "yup, this person knows how to use the software at X level". If you don't have a mechanical design degree to go with it (or however many years in a design position in a technical industry), though, it's just a pissing contest with other SW users. Kind of like getting certifications for each Microsoft Office program. I don't remember the current stats, but having a CSWP puts you well above CSWA holders, and last I checked there were only about 5,304 CSWE people in the world. I'm sure that number has gone up after SW made such a big deal about it at the last 3DEXPERIENCE World, and then gave everybody that attended free attempts to test up to CSWE until the end of July. Side note, cheapest way to get vouchers is to sign up for 3DEXPERIENCE World events each year and pay for VIP access. Edit: Figured out how to search certification levels. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 10:58 on May 19, 2021 |
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May 19, 2021 01:25
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NewFatMike posted:I've got 4 certs, most of them are easy, but in my quest so far, the Mold Design test has had a bunch of technical issues, so I'd avoid it. I get to take them for free, so it's just annoying instead of annoying and expensive. Do VAR's know how many of each certification level are out there? I'm curious to know what the CSWE numbers are for 2021 but can't seem to find anything more recent than 2019. EDIT: Nevermind, found it!    Looks like NewFatMike has some bragging rights. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 10:59 on May 19, 2021 |
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May 19, 2021 10:54
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I figured I'd do Weldments, Drawing Tools and Surfacing before messing with Mold Tools (only need 3 sections to attempt the CSWE, IIRC), but drat finding the uninterrupted time to do it (have to use work PC because home internet is so poo poo that it can't even submit the data from the exam software, and well, there's no such thing as that much uninterrupted time at work).
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May 19, 2021 12:40
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NewFatMike posted:I just got word that SOLIDWORKS have changed their VAR certification scheme, so I've got 8 exams to pass by the end of July. I'll keep y'all in the loop I'd definitely be interested in any details you're allowed to share. I've basically been my employer's in-house Solidworks professional user that has trained other employees on how to use it for the various product lines we develop designs on (and those guys go and test up to CSWP and then go find a job at other companies, so it's like a never-ending training/work session for me  ) and once I get my CSWE and see about whatever other training/certifications there are for VAR employees I may see if I can dip my career into that side of things.
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May 19, 2021 15:22
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Ambrose Burnside posted:i am an incredible dumbass for not looking into the certs years ago while i had a legit copy of SW student and could have taken them for free No. Solidworks Certifications are 100% online. You can do them on any computer with Solidworks that you have access rights to that will allow you to install the Testing client. https://www.solidworks.com/solidworks-certification-program EDIT: Get an EAA membership ($40/year), then download the Solidworks version available to members of that group. Then download and install the Tester client. Practice with tutorials/etc., then pay for an exams. Take/pass the exam. Move on. Each exam price varies (and Solidworks does do promotions occasionally, but you have to keep an eye out for them). CSWA - Mechanical is $100 to take as of today. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 19:55 on May 19, 2021 |
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May 19, 2021 19:51
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Ok. Go here and it will straighten you out. https://3dexperience.virtualtester.com/#home
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May 19, 2021 19:56
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Blackhawk posted:Yeah but Solidworks here is $15k NZD for one seat plus a few thousand a year in maintenance if you want to get updates (and if you don't pay maintenance but want to upgrade in the future they charge you all of the back-maintenance up to the cost of a completely new license). The company/product I'm putting together is pretty niche and I can't justify that much at this point. Is there anything like the EAA where you are? https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-membership/eaa-member-benefits/solidworks-resource-center/eaa-solidworks-standard But on the other hand, if you want to use it commercially, the Hobbyist/Startup license for Fusion360 is the way to go. Free up to $100kUSD in revenue (though how they find this out IDK). And if you make over 100k in the business you'd better pony up for a real seat of Solidworks and be legitimate. Some Pinko Commie fucked around with this message at 01:43 on May 26, 2021 |
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May 26, 2021 01:40
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NewFatMike posted:https://www.solidworks.com/solution/company-type/entrepreneurs-startups biracial bear for uncut posted:But on the other hand, if you want to use it commercially, the Hobbyist/Startup license for Fusion360 is the way to go.
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May 26, 2021 10:36
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If you don't plan to edit the shape of the finished part at all, Solidworks will work around an STL just fine. Run Feature Recognition and take a nap while it studies a hundred thousand triangle surfaces to make sense of it, then either: -convert the result to a solid body, then go into mold tools and make your mold. -delve into the Surfacing tools and make your edits, convert to solid body, then mold tools. That elides a lot over how loving tedious either process is, but it can be done.
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May 26, 2021 23:53
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