QCAD - getting started guides.

[Dan Randall]

Len - I haven't forgotten your question in post #96, but have had a lot less free time than I'd hoped for. I have made a start though, so please bear with me.


Regards

Dan

 

[Len Cattley]

No problem Dan, I am learning how to do other things on Qcad as well (with other peoples help). Post #100 is about the tender I need to do.

Len

 

[7mmMick]

Firstly thanks to Len for pointing me in this direction from Tom Mallard's thread

I'm itching to get going as I have a load of drawings coming from the NRM. So I've read the thread from start to finish and downloaded QCAD. I started watching your first tutorial Adrian, which are spot on by the way and when I got to layering I kept getting a prompt to purchase a package from an online shop. When the web page opens it brings up different packages so I was wondering which of these would I need to purchase to continue to use QCAD and successfully create my own etch artwork?

Also we're looking at a new PC in the next few months so am I better with a CD Rom so I can download onto the new machine as well?

Cheers Mick

 

[adrian]

when I got to layering I kept getting a prompt to purchase a package from an online shop. When the web page opens it brings up different packages so I was wondering which of these would I need to purchase to continue to use QCAD and successfully create my own etch artwork?

You shouldn't need to purchase anything - the basic free QCAD will do layers for etched artwork without any extra packages.
Can you get a screenshot so we can see what it prompting you with?

 

[7mmMick]

Apologies Adrian, this looks like a bit of a false alarm. I fired up the PC and started to go through the set up again and this time no prompt! So again apologies for the false alarm but I will crack on and see how I go. I must warn you I'm not massively experienced in this kind of thing so thanks for your patience on advance

ATB Mick

 

[7mmMick]

Spoke too soon, it seems it just appears after a certain amount of time and doesn't depend on what you're doing?

 

[Len Cattley]

Hi Mick I must admit I have purchased Qcad Pro it's not expensive about €42 but you can get help from its forum (which helps).

Len

 

[BrushType4]

Mick,

The free version is for 15mins then the pro tools are turned off. Just restart the program and use it for another 15 minutes or invest in the pro version.

 

[adrian]

Hi,

You won't need that package and can safely turn it off. It's an extra - the CAM bit is for Computer Aided Manufacturing. It's a package for translating your drawing into code suitable for CNC machines - milling, router or laser cutters etc. So if all you are doing is artwork for etching then the basic free package is more than enough.

 

[7mmMick]

Thanks everybody, all I want to do is art work for etching so I'll have a look at turning it off and crack on that way,

ATB Mick

 

[Len Cattley]

I have been working on some files from the NRM they all have been fine except this one it's not very clear and I was wondering if any-body knows of a programme that can clean it up like Wild Swan has done in there book? It's a lot less clear than this when you load it into Qcad.

Len

 

[7mmMick]

I have been working on some files from the NRM they all have been fine except this one it's not very clear and I was wondering if any-body knows of a programme that can clean it up like Wild Swan has done in there book? It's a lot less clear than this when you load it into Qcad.

LenView attachment 38337

Sorry Len, I don't have the solution but I do suffer from the same problem. Luckily for my current project I have a GA and a Pipe and Rod Drawing, so where one lets me down on qualitiy the other fills the gaps. I will be interested to see if you get a result for this issue though?

Hi Adrian,

So I've managed to convince the wife to buy a new PC, for lots of reasons really but for me it allows me to use QCAD properly without waiting for days for things to load (don't tell her ). So now I'm up and running I've sat and watched all your tutorials again and have made a start. I know you can't cover everything but I wondered if you would mind going on from where you left off on the detail section, maybe to talk about half etching and seeing the whole thing come together. It would be a great help to have further instalments and without you putting this thread together I would have struggled to make a start so many many thanks for your work so far. Having seen your tender frames in the flesh I'm very excited to create my own artwork and I only hope it can live up to what you have created.

Best regards Mick

 

[Len Cattley]

Hi Mick thanks for your reply, if I don't get a reply here I might have a word at one of the shows when Wild Swan are there (ExpoEM) and ask them, you never know they might give an answer (lucky I can use there book) . I agree with the rest of your comments I could do with some help about using hatches and sold fills.

Len

 

[7mmMick]

I probably won't catch up with you before Brightwell Len but I'd love to see your QCAD efforts there ?

Cheers Mick

 

[Len Cattley]

Hi Mick, lets hope I can get things going so I can, but if not I will print them out so you can see them

Len

 

[Len Cattley]

Any up-dates Adrian?


Cheers Len

 

[adrian]

Yes! - have you picked yourself up from the floor yet?

Next instalment covers doing the half etch layer and filling in the artwork.

I've set myself a target to get them finished by the end of the year - and yes I do mean this one.

 

[Len Cattley]

Only just

 

[Len Cattley]

Thanks Adrian I thought I knew how to do the Etch and Half-etch outlines, but I can't do the Red outlines. I have uploaded a snip to show you what I mean.
Len

 

[7mmMick]

Great stuff Adrian thank you, that explains a lot. I shall have a go and see how I get on,

Cheers Mick