It's not the cost of the software that is important. How are you going to learn to draw? The bigger software packages (Solidworks, Inventor, etc) have zillions and zillions of features and all are very interesting. I have spent some twelve years now working with Solidworks, and I still have to call my reseller every now and then when I get stuck on something. And this is after I took a 900 hour course on Solidworks in 2015. This picture will give you an idea of what one can draw in Solidworks.
If you're going to spend the money, make sure you are ready to spend the time to get the value.
If you're going to spend the money, make sure you are ready to spend the time to get the value.
Ab
All the rest, are playing catch-up with those two...
Designing models from GA plans? any good 3D software is capable of that....
Absolutely!!!! 100% agreement... The best tool for the job greatly depends on the job you want to do... you want to design a complete container ship with all the mechanical accoutrements that go into it? Rhino is the ticket, the only ticket according to my contacts in the marine industry... You want to design a nice looking boat, still, Rhino is the ticket, but Solidworks will do a passable job of it as well...
All the rest, are playing catch-up with those two...
Designing models from GA plans? any good 3D software is capable of that....
Actually, Rhino does not work for the internals of a scale model where the parts will be cut on a CNC machine or a laser. Rhino is great for real boats, and real blueprints but there is a level of fabrication detail that is not possible with Rhino (that I know of) and that is the translation from the CAD file to the CNC file.
I use Solidworks for all my internal parts. Yes, I do agree Solidworks is very cumbersome, and imprecise, to do reverse-engineer organic shapes, but it is the best program to use if you are going to "take apart" a model and create a file for CNC or laser-cutting.
Here is a model I did lately. It's a 1:24 scale half-hull of the 1928 yacht Cambria. The hull alone is made in Rhino. Then you can see the internal parts added, and, finally, there is a screen-shot of part of the laser-cutting layout. It sure would be fun if I could do this whole thing in Rhino, but I doubt it.
And I added a picture of the laser-cut parts.
Finally, this is the second model I have done for this client. Although I don't have a picture of Cambria completed, I did include a picture of the 1:16 scale Reliance half hull I did for him previously.
I use Solidworks for all my internal parts. Yes, I do agree Solidworks is very cumbersome, and imprecise, to do reverse-engineer organic shapes, but it is the best program to use if you are going to "take apart" a model and create a file for CNC or laser-cutting.
Here is a model I did lately. It's a 1:24 scale half-hull of the 1928 yacht Cambria. The hull alone is made in Rhino. Then you can see the internal parts added, and, finally, there is a screen-shot of part of the laser-cutting layout. It sure would be fun if I could do this whole thing in Rhino, but I doubt it.
And I added a picture of the laser-cut parts.
Finally, this is the second model I have done for this client. Although I don't have a picture of Cambria completed, I did include a picture of the 1:16 scale Reliance half hull I did for him previously.
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your insightful observations into the various systems available and how they may best help a meere beginner of 80 yeas of age.
It looks as though Rhino may be the best to go for as it is particualrly well suited to ship building.
I am currently building the Mary Rose kit by Caldercraft, hull is complete to the main deck, but adding the full Forecastle and Summercastle of the original 1511 build, which is a simple drawing and woodworking exrecise, during the long winter days indoors. Then the best part, the masts and rigging, love rigging a ship/
Best wishes to all of you that sent information on CAD systems. Now to learn something new!
Derek Payne.
Thank you for your insightful observations into the various systems available and how they may best help a meere beginner of 80 yeas of age.
It looks as though Rhino may be the best to go for as it is particualrly well suited to ship building.
I am currently building the Mary Rose kit by Caldercraft, hull is complete to the main deck, but adding the full Forecastle and Summercastle of the original 1511 build, which is a simple drawing and woodworking exrecise, during the long winter days indoors. Then the best part, the masts and rigging, love rigging a ship/
Best wishes to all of you that sent information on CAD systems. Now to learn something new!
Derek Payne.