Anonymous at Fri, 5 Nov 2021 17:23:16 UTC No. 860239

I teach a course in an engineering school. it sucks

Anonymous at Fri, 5 Nov 2021 18:09:05 UTC No. 860252

>>860239
Why? It looks interesting from the outside

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 02:04:13 UTC No. 860315

>>860252
I've used a ton of different CAD software packages at random engineering jobs over the years.

There's a bunch out there. If you're doing stuff for fun (i.e. not learning new skills for a job/career), Fusion360 or Solidworks are really solid (much more preferably the latter - you can get a copy of Solidworks by being an EAA member, which is much cheaper than a license on its own).

If you're doing this for work skills (and you're an engineer/designer), then maybe consider CATIA/NX/SW - the one you pick will depend HIGHLY on what you are working on. CATIA, for example, is used heavily in the aviation industry (not exclusively, though). NX is used in a ton of industries (automotive, aviation, etc.), but much like CATIA, its price locks out smaller firms entirely, and learning resources are locked to unis and large firms that can afford it. Also, CATIA is a clunky, old software (at least the ones from a few years ago were - you'll find that a lot of its users actually don't like it at all, even though it is as functional as any other tool you care to learn fully.)

Solidworks is weaker than the others, but has a low barrier to entry (in terms of cost and ease-of-use). It is widely used in industry for these exact reasons, and can still produce quality drawings and models for the vast majority of use cases. Most critically, it will teach the skills to quickly pick up ANY other CAD package.

My preference has always been NX due to its suite of tools, integration with external packages, etc. However, its learning curve (and CATIAs) is notoriously painful, and you will likely spend a long time making things before they are actually good - it will be much longer before your drawings/models are ever put into production, which may be disappointing at first. Remember you are using a tool only, and it will never be a replacement for strong engineering/design practice. Get feedback often on your modeling but also your design, and always use first principles.

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 02:07:20 UTC No. 860316

>>860315
Also, you are on the wrong forum, dummy. 3D modelling/rendering/blendlet tools are going to be wildly different from a CAD/parametric design workflow. They aren't remotely comparable. Git outta here

or ask questions whatever man

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 02:52:33 UTC No. 860325

>>860315
Thanks for the response, anon. I don't have an engineering background, at first I was aiming at more traditional 3D jobs at studios and such, but I realized that I wouldn't like doing creative work as a job, so I thought of going into CAD because it interests me and seems more "mechanic". Don't get me wrong, I know you need creativity to work with CAD, I was talking about artistic work and similar stuff.

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 03:04:28 UTC No. 860326

>>860325
sounds like what you want is to be a houdini chad

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 03:58:05 UTC No. 860333

>>860325
that's pretty cool man. What work have you done so far? Have you worked at a 3D job at a studios or done freelance?

moving to CAD work w/o engineering can be done (fairly easily actually, if you have any college education so far - but you'd need to go back), plus jobs are good. But it will be the total flip side of traditional 3D work - very little creativity involved, essentially a trades/craftsman-style job.

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 11:15:15 UTC No. 860386

>>860333
I haven't worked professionally with 3D, aside from some sales at Artstation and such. I don't mind the lack of creativity, since I can always do the stuff I like at home.

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 15:22:31 UTC No. 860424

>>860386
Well, it sounds like you are pretty solid if you've made sales. If you want to leverage your current experience, I think you will need to stick with current tools (anon above mentioned Houdini, which is much much closer to your current skillset).

Just know that CAD work is a wildly different field (think of going from graphic design to welding), and you will need to get some level of formal paid experience or education (think a 2-year engineering technology degree). You will also almost certainly need a degree of some kind, unless you're a veteran/mechanic and have some exposure to point to.

Your current skillset you have experience in unfortunately won't translate too much, and you may be shocked by how simple the vast majority of models are. If you do CAD drafting/modeling, you'll probably be making simple machinery parts, building layouts, or similar. There is virtually no crossover at all.

Is it difficult? Maybe moreso than other degrees, but not impossible.

Anonymous at Sat, 6 Nov 2021 20:05:21 UTC No. 860473

>>860424
Thanks for the tips, anon. I've used Houdini before but never went too far with it. Why did you suggest it, is it because it's more mathematic oriented or something?

Anonymous at Mon, 8 Nov 2021 21:49:03 UTC No. 860912

>>859946
http://www.v5e.com/
this website will give you a really good look at the part design workbench

Anonymous at Tue, 9 Nov 2021 00:29:24 UTC No. 860940

>>860912
Saved, thanks a lot