CAD Drawings etc.

[stu]

CAD Drawings etc.

Yeah fair point.
I for one use AutoCad (proberly not all of its features) and the results look like its been done in paint but it gives me a to scale drawing where to put things. So i know if things fit and how big to make my chassis and all sorts.

It can be and has been done without using Cad, only reason i use Cad to do those things is to pass time while im collecting bits hehe.

Mr Stu

[fwsorg]

CAD Drawings etc.

LOL!!! Id always been in denial about that, but its completely true :-)

[fluppet]

CAD Drawings etc.

At the risk of subverting another topic...

Since Im from a (software) graphical background rather than an engineering one, Ive never really played with anything which calls itself a CAD package - but on the other hand Im reasonably fluent in 3DS Max, Maya and SoftImage (not at home, btw; if I had the bank balance to own that lot Id have a robot by now).

Ive not tried designing a robot in any of those, but can I ask what features people use which could be considered CAD, rather than modelling, specific?

I guess its easier to rip out the components in a format suitable for driving machining hardware in a CAD package (Ive not seen that facility in the modelling packages, although it probably wouldnt be hard to pull out a trim curve if you restricted yourself to simple surface types). Ive also not seen weight calculation facilities, but again there may be a way to get a volume calculation. Ive spent all my time getting the surfaces looking right (I know exactly how to get a nice brushed metal effect, but that doesnt help much), so this isnt the kind of thing Ive ever tried to do.

Most of my proto-designs are half in my head, half on the back of an envelope, but Id be interested in knowing what people find useful. Id be inclined to model as a final stage before trying to build, if only as a rough attempt and to ensure that nothing obvious is going to go wrong (centre of gravity behind the rear wheels, ram fouls on the batteries, that kind of thing) which I wouldnt be able to tell by placing all the components on a suitable bit of gardboard/MDF. The lay it all out principle only really works if what youre building is flattish, and Id prefer not to restrict myself.

Just wondering what benefits can be got from extending my repertoire!

--
Fluppet

[fwsorg]

CAD Drawings etc.

Youve already answered a large part of it- outputing to CAM software/NC machines, and creating patterns and technical drawings for yourself. If my memory surves me correctly 3DS MAX will work with IGES files, which 99% of CAD programs can read (tho it is not a prefered format, by any means) so you conceivably CNC yourself some of your creations on 3DS max.

Fundamentally, it biols down to what the software packages are design to do. CAD packages are designed to make parts, and integrate, as much as possible, with other realted CAM and NC software. The options are more Enginerring specific, and the layout is set out with that in mind. I can lend you pro/Desktop at the next social (whenever it may be) so you can have a play yourself. I think Rhino is much more like 3DS MAX- much more inclined towards free-fprm modelling, curves, wire frams, and the like. Youll find the more parametric aspect of Pro/Desktop (or Autodesk, for that matter) lends itself more to the kind of stuff involved in robot builing. If you would like me to bring the CD along, gimme a shout.

[stu]

CAD Drawings etc.

We need to start charging you web space on this forum Andrew

Mr Stu

[Guest]

CAD Drawings etc.

talking of CAD, i use autoCAD LT 2004, this really bugs me:
when i draw a rectangle and then try and draw a smaller rectangle undeneath it it automaticly takes the lines to the same width as the first one. anyone know a soloution.

[fluppet]

CAD Drawings etc.

Eddy: Thank you (and that was my impression of Rhino too). I may end up getting hold of a spaceball and a Dimentor Inspector and rolling my own (best way to ensure that the interface doesnt annoy me, and both input devices together are cheaper than the decent modelling software!) - but its nice to know whats out there.

Stu: I hope not. I cant afford a robot as it is... Its not as though Ive even got an image on my description!

--
Fluppet

[jamesb]

CAD Drawings etc.

I use robot wars arena of destruction on the ps2/

lol


sad thing is, for at least 3 robots this is true

[stu]

CAD Drawings etc.

LOL @ James B

Yeah That is sooo true for alot of roboteers im sure. Either Robot Wars Arena or even Robot Arena 2.

I think Ed H did with Storm 2 .....

http://www.janissaries.org/ja/Darkrat/storm2.jpghttp://www.janissaries.org/ja/Darkrat/storm2.jpg

hehehe.
Mr Stu

[Guest]

CAD Drawings etc.

Danny (I hate being called that ;-) ) I can think of 2 reasons straight off why your rectangles are over lapping. The first might be you have snap and grid on. I always turn this 2 features off as Im a more hardcore drafter (not really, Im just talking big). If you got those damn annoying dots everywhere and the cross hairs jumping from one to another when you move the mouse then the snap feature is on. Too select the next point for your smaller rectangle either type in the coorrdinates for the second point of the rectangle (x,y from the 0,0 point, or @x,y for the first point of the rectangle or if you want to be tricky, @lengthangle for polar coorrdinates), or you could just turn the snap function off by hitting F9 or the Snap button down the bottom of the screen. You can also change the size of the grid for the little dots and for the Snap by right clicking on the Snap button and going to Drafting settings or use the drop down menus at the top of the screen and find Drafting Settings in there.
Or maybe you have youve got your osnaps (Object Snap) set up so it selects end points. Usually AtuoCAD is a pain with Osnaps on and is always selecting the wrong point of the screen. If a purple square appears of the corner of the already drawn rectangle it means AutoCAD wants to put the corner of the rectangle your drawing there. If that happens you can turn Osnaps off by hitting F3 or the OSNAPS button down the bottom of the screen, but remember to turning it back on after. Or you can use the Osnap tool bar like I do and select the no snap button. You can change all your Osnap settings in the Drafting Settings box too.

I still dont compare AutoCAD to SolidWorks or Inventor. They are completely different.

[Guest]

CAD Drawings etc.

hi thanx for that, it was the os snap. i can draw plans now.
cheers again danny.... lol

[grant_ploughbot]

CAD Drawings etc.

I find paint does the job perfectly
Solidworks is about the best ive seen, i have solidworks Pro, its great, you can work out strengths and weights of your robot! You can build the whole thing before you actually make it, and know it will defintaly work!

Grant-PloughBot

[Guest]

CAD Drawings etc.

you have solidworks, AND U USE PAINT!!!!!

[blazerbotics]

CAD Drawings etc.

whats wrong with paint? All of ours were designed on paint!

[Guest]

CAD Drawings etc.

You can find strengths? Does that mean you have the fianite element analysis add-on? I wouldnt mind giving that go as Ive only seen it.