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The Current State of MCAD (MCAD Modeling Column)
1 Jul, 2008 By: IDSA ,Mike HudspethProgress in the MCAD industry brings optimism to a depressed economy.
Each year, I like to take a look at our beloved 3D MCAD industry and assess what shape it's in. I have to say that it has been a very long time since I've felt the way I do about the future. Gas prices are at all-time highs (which drives up the price of everything else). Myopic companies aren't making high enough profits to suit their goals (despite record performance), so they're laying off skilled workers and sending their work overseas (thus losing their ability to do the real work themselves and weakening the country's industrial capability). And the American worker is caught in the middle, all but helpless to do anything about it. But things aren't all doom and gloom. There's actually a lot to feel encouraged about.
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Free Stuff
It has never been easier to acquire MCAD software. Earlier this year, I wrote an entire article about low or no cost CAD (see "Low or No Cost CAD," Cadalyst, January 2008, www.cadalyst.com/0108mcadmodeling). You can download programs that can put you on the right path to meeting your MCAD needs. You can explore different ways of doing things without spending too much. Say, for example, you need 2D CAD. Visit the Solid Edge Web site and check out its free 2D drafting product.
Need 3D? Go to the Alibre Web site and try its product. It's also free. Don't like history-based modeling? Go see CoCreate or even SketchUp (figure 1). Some software companies even have license agreements that allow you to take a copy of their software home. Your choices are many — and very good.
 Figure 1. Google SketchUp, a favorite tool of architects, is earning attention in the manufacturing sector for its ease of use and great results. It s one of several free modeling tools available for MCAD. |
I can't interpret the proliferation of free MCAD software as being anything but good for end users. It tends to raise the bar on innovation and quality. If you can get the basics for free, then software companies are forced to come up with new and better ways of doing more stuff. Free (or nearly free) software is a win–win scenario for end users. You can take it home and use it for whatever hobby you want. (I am in the process of converting a motorcycle into a reverse trike. I am building the whole thing on my computer [figure 2] and will end up with detailed instructions.)
 Figure 2. This image is a control arm from a 1972 Super Beetle that I modeled at home. Having 3D modeling software at home can be a very handy thing. You learn the software and create some wonderful models to boot! |
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AutoCAD Tips!
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