Help with drawing/cad program choice/use.

[DavidF]

The secret of CAD programs is "DON'T DRAW TO SCALE" set the units and work area (dependent on package) to enable you to draw 1:1 be it a small box or a football field. Then you just use the "measure" tool to give you the length. Trying to draw to a scale is self defeating in CAD. Unlike with the old paper method, your electronic paper is as big as you like!

Talking of football fields; I notice that this is fast becoming an "official" unit of measure here in the USA! to the point that on one "Science" program the space station Mir was described as being 60 yards by 3 football fields!! Ah the lowest common denominator again

[Handturnedbowls]

Originally Posted by smessick

The main reason I'm interested in a CAD program is to be able to draw to scale; i.e., 1/4" = 1", etc. I thought that a CAD program would enable me to draw a rectangle and have the dimensions display the actual size as I draw; i.e., I draw a 1" square and the dimensions display as 4". Way back in the last century when I did this sort of thing with a parallel bar and triangle my engineer's scale and upstairs computer did this for me.

Stan Messick

Stan,
It sounds like your drawing scale is set to 1:4. I am not familiar with this brand of cad, but this is inherent in all of them. Look for a settings or properties for your drawing. One of these should have a spec for the scale. To draw exactly as you display, you will have to set the scale to 1:1.

I am used to modelling the actual 3D model, and once done, create a drawing from that model. You app should feature this ability.

cad

[McRabbet]

I've got TurboCad for Windows and know that the two versions are completely different, so I can't help on specifics. But you should have the capability to set the scale of your drawing for printout -- in the Windows version, a drawing is developed in "model" space and a view port of all or part of that drawing is opened in "paper" space for printing. I prepare most of my drawings at a scale where I can display a plan or elevation view on standard paper in landscape format.

Rob

[PeteM]

Stan - Check out Hot Door CAD Tools
www.hotdoor.com
Plug-in for illustrator that does what you want.

Pete