Who's into CAD programs?

[Rolex]

I've downloaded and tried a few of the free programs and I'm honestly stunned by what they will do. They are free because a machine shop will make what you design.
However, I spent HOURS and HOURS trying to get the basics of them.
I'm looking for a way to produce a simple 3D part with blueprints without all the intense programming.
Does anyone know of a fairly simple program that's very user friendly?
My semesters of drafting were done with a T-square and a slide rule.

 

[Rolex]

Never mind. Found an INTENSE program for what I need. Super tutorials included.

 

[WoodiE]

Oh well fine then, trash the thread and don't share with us what you got. I didn't want to see it anyways.

 

[Rolex]

Here's my first project, a tub that will fit into a big-ass tank and drive the tracks from the rear. It only took me 2 entire days to create, load, locate, orientate, paint, size, scale and assemble this drawing.



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Being able to spin and rotate this thing around in FULL 3-D view is absolutely AWESOME!!!

 

[slowngreen]

Man I could have drawn you something up on Paint.

That looks great man, I'm loving the idea.

 

[Rolex]

I have Corel Draw and PhotoShop, but when it comes to engineered drawings they don't come close to a CAD program. It's a slow learning process, but that's the enjoyable part.
This program is SketchUp8. Some of the parts like gears and sprockets I found in their "warehouse". Other parts like the translucent case, ESCs and drive wheels I made myself.

 

[Racer 1966]

Looks like you did a good job. Only a couple of days isn't bad for a newb

 

[hamz9561]

Not bad. I did some drafting for my dad before he died in AutoCAD. It was kind of tough to learn since I never took any formal classes. Once I got into it, though, it wasn't that bad.

 

[WoodiE]

Now that is cool. Please tell me you're going share the build process with us too?

 

[Rolex]

I absolutely WILL share the build. I might even share the purchase of the new shelf. :
I just finished ordering the 1/4" Plexiglass for the tub from ebay. Yesterday I got the bearings for the drive axles.

Every part in that drawing had to be scaled and oriented in the proper direction, often by one degree. Some parts were laid flat and then had to be stood up before turning them to the proper axis. By the time I had all of that figured out I was almost finished.
There were a few thing I didn't find that would have been needed, ie. my chain drive is about twice as long as the one there but I found no way to extend it. In this case, measurements are not the critical part, but only my understanding how this will work with proportional steering.
Two Batteries and one receiver will be added to the front of the tub.

 

[Rolex]

Here she is showing one track and it's bogie wheels along with the front tensioning wheel.

 

[SchrodeMode]

That looks awesome Rolex, you should probably connect the track links though.

 

[rak12]

Sketchup is wonderful (not awesome). We use it at work quite a bit to show our clients potential media room themes. And it's FREE!

 

[Rolex]

That's why I got it. It's free and understandable without a 12 year degree.
A little more work and I have the actual Abrams tracks and rollers.
I'm in the process of making a mold for a bogie wheel and they will then be cast in acrylic for the tank.
can't get anything stock since I'm making the tracks out of conveyer links with the roller chain running through the center of the wheels. Sprocket will be in the center of the drive hub.

 

[rak12]

Looks to be a fun project. What scale is it going to be?

 

[Rolex]

I'm not exactly sure on the scale but the tank body is 28" long, and a total length of 32" to the end of the gun.

 

[hamz9561]

Yeah, tracks tend to work better with end-connectors on them to hold the pads together....

 

[Rolex]

They worked fine in my brain. If I used a rubber band to show the track you would be saying it should have cleats. :

Any problem with my latest one? Should I try to keep dust off it? :

 

[Rolex]

Here are the actual suspension rockers for the bogey wheels as used in the actual model. I also have the roller chain shown in the center of the tracks.

Here's the basic power setup:

 

[SchrodeMode]

Looking good, you wax it yet?