SimonD’s workbench

[JimG]

So, at the risk of opening a can of nematodes on Simon's thread, what CAD systems would folk recommend? But please, not one that's going to cost two grand a year!

I use the free version of NanoCAD - a clone of AutoCAD 2D.

Download nanoCAD Free – Professional 2D/3D CAD Software at No Cost

Download nanoCAD Free, a professional-grade CAD software offering comprehensive 2D and 3D design tools with native DWG support. Ideal for engineers and designers seeking a free, reliable solution for creating and editing technical drawings.

nanocad.com

When the upgrade prices of AutoCAD LT became almost stratospheric, I moved to Draftsight, an LT clone which was free. But it also changed to a $299/year subscription a year or two ago, and I then found the free version of NanoCAD to use instead. It's not the latest all singing-dancing version, but it retains all the features that I require for my model railway drawing needs.

There are some tutorials around on YouTube - here's one :-

The free version is their Version 5 (the current version is 11 ) so searching for Version 5 tutorials could get you more.

Jim.

 

[simond]

I'm very happy to have the discussion here, but thinking of the future accessibility for folks that are looking for a given subject, I wonder if better to move it to a specific thread, as we have for resin 3DP.

 

[Suffolk Dave]

I'm very happy to have the discussion here, but thinking of the future accessibility for folks that are looking for a given subject, I wonder if better to move it to a specific thread, as we have for resin 3DP.

Apologies...

Sorted...

CAD for laser Cutting etc..?

Picking up from the topic started on SimonD's workshop thread... Can anyone suggest a CAD system that could be used for producing files for laser cutting and more general model railway use? But hopefully not one that costs around two-grand per year! Many thanks... Dave C

www.westernthunder.co.uk

 

[Pete_S]

My main niggling worry with Lightburn is that I had picked up on digging through Internet that placing kerf offsets might not be straightforward and that Lightburn tends to place them as it saw fit, which is not what I wanted. Also you couldn't see beforehand on which side of a line the offset was. With Cut2D I can place a kerf offset for any part of a drawing and can also see and check where the cut is placed before I send the file to the laser cutter. I'll maybe now do some checking with Lightburn to see how their offset placing works.

Kerf offset is easy to tweak (although 3 decimal places might be overkill):—



Positive kerf is outside the shape & negative inside. Measuring the kerf with a set of feeler gauges will give a start point

The other smaller consideration is that Cut2D imports DWG files whereas Lightburn only imports DXF files, and when it imports these files, it places them in the centre of the working area and not with reference to the original placement in the CAD file. I do all my 2D designing in AutoCAD 2D or one of its clones, so direct import of DWG files is a plus point.

I use Illustrator CS6, & Lightburn will import the outlines directly. It ignores any live fonts & effects though. Current importable formats:—

I'll probably dig around a bit more with Lightburn to see how it performs and have a look in more detail on how it deals with kerf offsets. I do like some of its features, like the Material Test application which is really handy for assessing cuts or etches for new materials.

So I've got both pieces of software on the HP laptop which works with the laser cutter and both will probably get used.

Jim

I tried it on spec & after about a week of using it happily dropped £50 on it to get a full licence. I found it to be very intuitive, although I wouldn't use its drawing tools for anything complex - quite happy with Illustrator for that.

Lightburn are set to introduce a new program called MillMage that'll cater to grbl-driven Spindles. If it's as straightforward as LB, I'll have that too. I'm currently using EstlCam, which is OK, but I'm not enamoured by it - I find it a bit crashy.

Pete S.

 

[adrian]

I found it to be very intuitive, although I wouldn't use its drawing tools for anything complex - quite happy with Illustrator for that.

My experience is similar, I do all my drawing in QCAD and then import it into Lightburn. Although I do use Lightburn for adding any text as the tools allow adjustment of spacing and path following.

 

[simond]

Title says it all really.

Time to order the decoders

 

[Heather Kay]

Is this a new version of Magnadhesion?

 

[Ressaldar]

Only if you are that way inclined!

Hope that all is well with you and yours Heather.

regards

Mike

 

[Pencarrow]

Title says it all really.

Time to order the decoders

Launch!

 

[Heather Kay]

Hope that all is well with you and yours Heather

- as I type. Best Beloved still isn’t well, but he’s definitely been improving this past few weeks.

 

[Giles]

Now, if you'd finished that Garratt..........

 

[simond]

Right, this is easier to watch!

Gradient is 70mm in 840 which is 1 in 12 I guess. Wagons weights 63, 69, 54 & 35g

 

[Pencarrow]

Right, this is easier to watch!

Gradient is 70mm in 840 which is 1 in 12 I guess. Wagons weights 63, 69, 54 & 35g

Think there was room for a little more weight in the loco if needed...

 

[simond]

I do have the bag of lead shot for the bunker…

 

[Phil O]

Simon,

Great work to get the 1366 to move, even if it is only a few inches.

 

[simond]

Thanks Phil

Hope it’ll get more opportunity to stretch its legs soon

Meanwhile more baby steps



There will be points but no prizes for the first to spot what’s been added.

 

[simond]

I think this might make someone smile

17 on the hook, 1 in 100 but steeper in parts, on a curve, and it’ll start them easily (perhaps more due to the ABC gearbox than any magic from my workbench!). Happy on the pointwork, seems very sure-footed due I think to the CSB.

 

[Dave]

Thanks Phil

Hope it’ll get more opportunity to stretch its legs soon

Meanwhile more baby steps

View attachment 215802

There will be points but no prizes for the first to spot what’s been added.

Hello, Simon. Is this one of the rebuilt Manning Wardles that ran on the Cleobury, Mortimer & Ditton Priors Light Railway?

 

[simond]

Dave,

no, it’s a 1366 - Collet pannier version of Churchward 1361 saddle tank, which itself was a derivation of the 1392 Class, originally built in 1874 for the Cornwall Minerals Railway.

It’s @Pencarrow ’s loco for his Bodmin-look-alike project, Agenoria kit with my chassis & 3DP. Slaters wheels, ABC motor/gearbox, decoder not yet purchased. Warren Shepherd castings to be fitted, along with steps, brakes, handrails, etc.

atb
Simon

 

[Pencarrow]

I think this might make someone smile

17 on the hook, 1 in 100 but steeper in parts, on a curve, and it’ll start them easily (perhaps more due to the ABC gearbox than any magic from my workbench!). Happy on the pointwork, seems very sure-footed due I think to the CSB.

That's a cracking achievement Simon, and to think it nearly ended up in the bin.

I think walking away with 17 on means it will somewhat adequate for Pencarrow's clay trips. Great stuff.