3d cad

[mr henderson]

Originally Posted by alga

The difference is that Solidworks edits models (like a CAD), whereas Sketchups works with meshes.

Not really telling us a lot there, though, are you? That sounds more like a difference in how it works rather than what the difference means to the user.

[mopple]

The main difference is that Sketchup is a tool meant for modeling structures for Google Earth program.

As SolidWorks and other mechanical CAD programs are professional tools for engineering. With these tools you can create structural frames, sheet metal parts, parts with very complex geometry, make drawings that are associative with the model from what the drawing is generated from. Then assemble those parts, run simulations for mechanical strengths, aerodynamics, thermal problems. Use CAD data for CNC manufacturing etc.

Some examples what I have done in SolidWorks:
Drawing of Roadsters base frame.
Drawing for my coworkers AC Cobra replica scuttle and firewall area
And those panels (flat patterns CNC punched and pressed then CNC bended) trial fitted Pic 1 Pic 2
Looking quite good, don't they? Can you do those things in Sketchup?

Madis

Can tomato sketchup create dxf files that can be read by cnc machines so your parts can be laser cut and or cnc machined? Because solidworks can...

[mr henderson]

This is getting a bit silly. OF COURSE SOLIDWORKS IS BETTER, no-one, least of all me, is denying that.


Please remind me how much Solidworks costs someone who is buying it, and then we can compare it with how much Sketchup costs.


Here is a list of what the professional version ($495) can do in terms of import and export. I believe that you can get 8 hours of demo use free, so you can create a model in the free version, then use 30 seconds of Pro time to export it in the chosen format.

http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/p.../whygopro.html

The tinterweb is a wonderous machine, I got about 8 Siouxsie and the banshee albums in a matter of hours with as many if not more Cocteau twins albums say no more

[mr henderson]

Originally Posted by fabbyglass

The tinterweb is a wonderous machine, I got about 8 Siouxsie and the banshee albums in a matter of hours with as many if not more Cocteau twins albums say no more

Dubious moral ground though, isn't it. How would you feel if someone took moulds off stuff you've made?

Originally Posted by mr henderson

Dubious moral ground though, isn't it. How would you feel if someone took moulds off stuff you've made?

I made a point of taking the piss at Stoneleigh a few years ago when I saw that Carbon Mods had copied my low side seat. If you look at the stuff they do it's all copies of Westy and caterham stuff.

Laws are made to be broken otherwise what is the point off having coppers

[mopple]

Mr Henderson,

You started to compare SolidWorks with Sketchup.

For true mechanical CAD the cheapest option is Alibre Pro http://www.alibre.com/products/ad_compare.asp. It's not as mature as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor or SolidEdge, but it is also a lot cheaper than other mid range MCAD packages.
I will say again that Sketchup is not a mechanical engineering CAD software, although it can be used to make very neat models and schemes in PRO version.
For 2D CAD I sugest to check out fee DraftSight from Dassault Systèmes the mother company of SolidWorks.

[mr henderson]

Originally Posted by fabbyglass

Laws are made to be broken otherwise what is the point off having coppers

What an extraordinary thing to say.

Originally Posted by mopple

Mr Henderson,

You started to compare SolidWorks with Sketchup.

No, I didn't, I simply pointed out that it would be possible to draw up a chassis in Sketchup.

[alga]

Originally Posted by mr henderson

Not really telling us a lot there, though, are you? That sounds more like a difference in how it works rather than what the difference means to the user.

In a 3D CAD, a sphere is a sphere, an exact mathematical representation. In a 3D modeler, a sphere is an approximation made out of many little triangles, like here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygon_mesh
All dimensions involving curved lines or surfaces will be approximate when working with a mesh, and exact when working with a solid model.

That said, Sketchup is great for many CAD-like applications. My brother designed a gazebo in Sketchup prior to building it out of wood and polycarbonate. Worked a treat.