gerryv
08-05-2008, 08:02 PM
Hi all, I recently acquired a Buddy 32 Standard (nice!) and hope to get my garage wired soon so I can try it out.
I've been looking around for the easiest to learn, low-cost 3D CAD/CAM software but it occurs to me that I may be able to do what I want for now with Partworks, which would be a great relief.
Initially, my plan is to learn what basics I can by designing, cutting, assembling and then fine-tuning some kind of fairly simple, multi-part, re-produceable "widget" from a self-made file rather than from imported/downloaded artwork or plans.
What I want to do is draw the various parts, nest them on a few 2'x4' sections of MDF (cheap and flat), setup, cut and then see if they assemble correctly - no fancy bookcases yet :-)
It would also be nice to maybe bevel/shape the edges of some of the parts and maybe do a bit of V-carve lettering on a couple of the larger surfaces to broaden my learning.
It would be REALLY nice to see if I could also drill and maybe even countersink fastener holes so that the various large and small pieces could be fitted together into a simple but real widget or thingamabob so mistakes I'd made would be obvious and more technical than artistic if that makes any sense.
Is this approach something that is practical and would make sense to do it in one of the PartWorks programs; would I be better to do basic 2D drawings in Illustrator, which I have, and then import them (are they modifiable in Partworks?); or should I really move on to a basic 3D program before I start and suffer the much longer learning curve (not easy for me and perhaps not necessary).
To clarify, I'm retired and have decided to try the easiest possible, but dependable approach to learning to use CNC with no expectation of my turning into a production or design shop.
That said, I'd very much like to learn enough about creating my own basic designs so that I can invent, design and build at least one globally sought after widget (or thingamebob) that I can sell the rights to and become a bajillionaire... realizing of course that I'll need to line up behind a lot of other like-minded people here :-)
Any clarification on this and which part of PartWorks to start with would be much appreciated. I've searched the resource material but it seems to refer to Partwizard? so I'm not sure if these same drawing capabilities are incorporated into Partworks or not
Thanks kindly,
- Gerry
I've been looking around for the easiest to learn, low-cost 3D CAD/CAM software but it occurs to me that I may be able to do what I want for now with Partworks, which would be a great relief.
Initially, my plan is to learn what basics I can by designing, cutting, assembling and then fine-tuning some kind of fairly simple, multi-part, re-produceable "widget" from a self-made file rather than from imported/downloaded artwork or plans.
What I want to do is draw the various parts, nest them on a few 2'x4' sections of MDF (cheap and flat), setup, cut and then see if they assemble correctly - no fancy bookcases yet :-)
It would also be nice to maybe bevel/shape the edges of some of the parts and maybe do a bit of V-carve lettering on a couple of the larger surfaces to broaden my learning.
It would be REALLY nice to see if I could also drill and maybe even countersink fastener holes so that the various large and small pieces could be fitted together into a simple but real widget or thingamabob so mistakes I'd made would be obvious and more technical than artistic if that makes any sense.
Is this approach something that is practical and would make sense to do it in one of the PartWorks programs; would I be better to do basic 2D drawings in Illustrator, which I have, and then import them (are they modifiable in Partworks?); or should I really move on to a basic 3D program before I start and suffer the much longer learning curve (not easy for me and perhaps not necessary).
To clarify, I'm retired and have decided to try the easiest possible, but dependable approach to learning to use CNC with no expectation of my turning into a production or design shop.
That said, I'd very much like to learn enough about creating my own basic designs so that I can invent, design and build at least one globally sought after widget (or thingamebob) that I can sell the rights to and become a bajillionaire... realizing of course that I'll need to line up behind a lot of other like-minded people here :-)
Any clarification on this and which part of PartWorks to start with would be much appreciated. I've searched the resource material but it seems to refer to Partwizard? so I'm not sure if these same drawing capabilities are incorporated into Partworks or not
Thanks kindly,
- Gerry