I often find myself needing/wanting to design something without internet. (i.e. at the cabin)
I know that F360 has a “work offline” mode, but that seems to not work very well for me.
Anyway, I have downloaded the “free trial” of “Alibre Atom 3D V28” and so far I have been pleased with it’s performance.
But as a “total noob” to this whole CAD thing, I’m on the fence.
Are there any “gotcha’s” to look out for if I decide to “jump ship”?
The other thing that I like about Alibre, is that the files are stored with me, not “in the cloud” (wherever that is)
Thoughts?
Aside: Just for reference; A few months back I downloaded Viacad and for whatever reason, it keeps “blanking out”. I mean it literally just disappears from the screen and it loses all my work in the process.
No experience here. Here is some honest advice. When trying out new software find something that you work well with…
Me I started playing with fusion. My computer didn’t like it and being 3d capable was just more than I needed. I began cad work with AutoCAD 2000 loved it. I had a license to it. Windows won’t support that program anymore. I found a 2d program that has a similar layout as AutoCAD. I use it for mechanical drawings then use the software for our vinyl plotter for artsy stuff.
It boils down to what you work well with. As long as it will export dxf and or SVG. You already use sheetcam so you should be fine as long as you are comfortable with the software.
I thought the “lag time” was because F360 was having to “talk to the mothership” all the time, but today I am noticing that Alibre also has an annoying lag.
Maybe I am expecting too much from my “bargain laptop”.
I am sure the issue is probably your laptop. I upgraded my table computer to a mini PC . It can handle fusion not well though. When I am in the garage I do meddle around with it.
I use a program call qcad for my mechanical parts. It is a 2d cad program that is very similar to AutoCAD 2000. It is a dinosaur compared to fusion. It is simple and works well. You do have to know what you are doing in complex parts. They have good tutorials and a forum as well. There is a free version and I believe paid is around 35 bucks. You can dang near run it on your wrist watch.
Yep. Design programs make two big processor loads on a machine - math & display. On low-end machines you will usually have a single processor being used for both calculations and display output (which also requires a boatload of calculations). The processor is designed for general purposes so it’s not tuned to the unique types of calculations done to support design & the user interface to display the design.
On a design oriented machine you’ll find a normal CPU for all the generic math being done as well as dedicated processors for the graphics (GPU & possibly NPUs). These are supported by dedicated memory electronically “close” to the GPU as well so the app isn’t competing across the system bus to access memory used by the program and Windows and every other thing you’ve got running. And then if memory is inadequate the system will treat disk as memory too via paging unused sections out of RAM but then needs to bring it back when needed.
If you can’t get a new machine, first adding memory will help some. Then adding an SSD (solid state drive) will help as well because it’s all electrons and no mechanical drives, platters, heads, etc to eat up time to access data. If it’s an add-on SSD then make sure you setup your system paging file to use that. If you just swap out a hard drive for the SSD that will be automatic.
Or see what’s out there for gaming machines. Going used can be a deal and gamers swap out their machines (especially laptops) frequently chasing the latest fastest chips.
If you’re a Windows user, you might also want to look at moving to Apple for your design work. The new M series chips Apple has in their Macs & Minis (price/perf is very good on those) are seriously powerful and have dedicated CPUs, GOUs and NPUs out of the box. The biggest issue is their RAM is soldered to the motherboard so you can’t add more RAM if you find you’re memory bound.
I have a Macbook Air for my daily usage, but bought a “El Cheapo” laptop that is dedicated for/to CAD/Plasma cutting.
I just looked and my Chip is an Apple M1 and it has 8 gigs of ram.
Is this a decent chip and ram combo?
The reason I decided to abandon my main machine (the Apple) is that I was having a difficult time finding people that could help we out when I got stuck.
It seems like there are many more people that can help if you run a Windows machine.
You’d need to run Parallels or install a VM with Windows as the OS. The M1 is a decent chip but the Ram is minimal. That’s the problem with Apple - can’t add more. The new Mini is a decent machine if you spec additional Ram when you buy it.
I have heard of this “Parallels”, but honestly, I am already “in way over my head” with the CAD and the computer intense stuff that this CNC world has brought with it.
I am all for learning new stuff, and hindsight is 20/20, but I really had no idea how dumb I was/am about computers/files/programs/operating systems/RAM/CPU’s…etc…etc…
Don’t get me wrong, I am learning, and I am even starting to enjoy it, but for whatever reason (and I know it sounds stupid because the first word in CNC is COMPUTER) , I really was not expecting to be so lost.
I’ll get it… eventually…but it might cost me a few more nickels than I had planned on…
On an “high note” , I found out that Alibre has an awesome free tutorial section. Unlike a lot of other tutorials, that speak and click at the speed of light, this dude goes “super slow” for us dummies, and shows every step. It has been so amazing that I think I am going to purchase a license this payday.
Hell, I made a 3D bolt and something called a 3D “pin plate” already …really cool stuff.
You’re not alone or even in the minority. I taught CNC design and operations for lasers, 3D printers and routers for a dozen years. Virtually everyone was surprised when I told them they’d probably spend more time in the computer and the design app than they would in the machine (except maybe the 3D printers - those can take days to print some designs ).
The biggest issues were understanding the workflow from design (CAD) to GCode generation (CAM) to actual machining and the software that drives the process. Different apps resonate with different people based on how they think. Some people take to Fusion like ducks to water and swear it’s the best thing ever. Others never figure it out but find Solidworks rings their bell.
Most everyone was taught at least the rudiments of 2D drawing but thinking in 3D wasn’t (probably still isn’t) something you got in school. My wife simply cannot project a 2D drawing into what it will look like in 3D. Designing our house I had to do 3D walkthrough renderings so she could “get it” when I created the plans.
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