Professional Design, 3D Modelling and Drafting Services

[Richard Hed]

SW basic is still about 4K I believe and is a perpetual license. That's standard on Solidworks, although they are pushing the cloud based version HARD. I use the software professionally, so the upgrades are worthwhile. Even essential, in fact. Solidworks change to a new version every year that is not forwards compatible - to force users into buying the maintenance package. If you only make models for yourself, not an issue. Also - SW policy is to make you pay for missing subscription years - I think to a maximum of 3 - if you decide to up your version year less frequently than once a year. It's a bit punitive in my view and I think they'd do better by cutting the sub fee - I think they'd get more people and make more money. But like I say, they are pushing the cloud based version hard and I think ultimately will ditch the perpetual licenses all together. They already tried it but there was a huge backlash, but eventually they'll do it again. Maybe it's actually cheaper to go that route, but I hate all these cloud based applications.

Well, the cloud krap, they claim that it is unhackable, but that is an outrageious lie. The banks, the military, intelligence agencies, --they've all been hackt. Then when the cloud gets hackt they will say "oh sorry, it won't happen again", but in the mean time, someone has YOUR proprietary work or single copy of a work of fiction, bank information or whatever. I was looking for a hard drive yesterday in Costco--none. (Anyone notice that Costco now has very high prices?)

 

[mxwelder]

Hi from Ireland.
Useless at CAD but have 4 model steam locos to build if you don't include Kozo Hiraoka books , just bought his Rio Grande K-27.
I want to transfer to CAD my 0-6-0 Simplex in 5 inch gauge which is currently in some funny olde world dodgy number system I think its called Imperial..... While I can swap for proper measurements I actually want to build my models in my little back garden workshop.
I own a Myford Super 7 lathe which I fitted a DRO too and an Optimum(German) mill which I also fitted a DRO too.
Buying some ex-school cnc mill and lathe in the very near future to retro fit modern closed loop steppers and controls to.
My background is, Coded pipe welder and currently doing a lot of Alluminium plate welding and fabbing. Notice how I spelt Aluminium the right way....;-)
I also have 5 inch gauge plans for a Flying Scotsman and a 3.5 inch gauge 2-10-0.
I have a mate who is a micro laser welder who recently bought a hand held laser torch who wants to laser the copper boilers........
Also I have a full size set of plans for a Rhodesian 4-8-2, 2-8-4 Garratt.
https://www.stationroadsteam.com/7-14-inch-gauge-greenly-4-8-2--2-8-4-garratt-stock-code-5307/
The first model for practice is obviously the 0-6-0 Simplex and then possibly the K-27 but I need help to transfer the drawings to CAD.
The drawings are all on A0 sheets.
If anyone can help or needs anything shipped from the UK I can probably help source them.
https://www.youtube.com/@keithappleton
Really great guy and knows all the UK suppliers etc.
Obviously at 56 I should have some sense but I will be retiring into this hobby soon.....
Yours in modelling, eventually......

Michael

 

[mxwelder]

Forgot to say,
If you join the EAA , amateur homebuilt aircraft for 40$ a year they give you a version of Solid Works or they used to.
Solidworks or 3dexperience for makers is free.
Also Freecad .org is great and free.

M

 

[mxwelder]

Quick pic of the Flying Scot plan.

 

[Propforward]

Hi from Ireland.
Useless at CAD but have 4 model steam locos to build if you don't include Kozo Hiraoka books , just bought his Rio Grande K-27.
I want to transfer to CAD my 0-6-0 Simplex in 5 inch gauge which is currently in some funny olde world dodgy number system I think its called Imperial..... While I can swap for proper measurements I actually want to build my models in my little back garden workshop.
I own a Myford Super 7 lathe which I fitted a DRO too and an Optimum(German) mill which I also fitted a DRO too.
Buying some ex-school cnc mill and lathe in the very near future to retro fit modern closed loop steppers and controls to.
My background is, Coded pipe welder and currently doing a lot of Alluminium plate welding and fabbing. Notice how I spelt Aluminium the right way....;-)
I also have 5 inch gauge plans for a Flying Scotsman and a 3.5 inch gauge 2-10-0.
I have a mate who is a micro laser welder who recently bought a hand held laser torch who wants to laser the copper boilers........
Also I have a full size set of plans for a Rhodesian 4-8-2, 2-8-4 Garratt.
https://www.stationroadsteam.com/7-14-inch-gauge-greenly-4-8-2--2-8-4-garratt-stock-code-5307/
The first model for practice is obviously the 0-6-0 Simplex and then possibly the K-27 but I need help to transfer the drawings to CAD.
The drawings are all on A0 sheets.
If anyone can help or needs anything shipped from the UK I can probably help source them.
https://www.youtube.com/@keithappleton
Really great guy and knows all the UK suppliers etc.
Obviously at 56 I should have some sense but I will be retiring into this hobby soon.....
Yours in modelling, eventually......

Michael

I can help you with this. I’ll send you a PM separately.

 

[petertha]

If you join the EAA , amateur homebuilt aircraft for 40$ a year they give you a version of Solid Works or they used to.
Solidworks or 3dexperience for makers is free.

This may well vary by country & original rollout version, but I think is getting to be or already is outdated information. I think: Students/Instructors at accredited educational institutions in accredited/approved programs get something closer to a normal license seat for specified duration, but eligibility is closely scrutinized. I think the EAA thing is dead. I think military or ex-military is dead and may have only been a USA military anyway. Basically they are pushing these prior promos towards SW Maker. Maker is ~100USD/year but I've seen occasional discount promos. It watermarks drawings & they turn the valve off any file export format that could be used by CNC type manufacturing (their version of ensuring non-commercial usage). But its otherwise its normal Basic seat functionality. I think .STL file export is OK like for 3DP because those are faceted mesh so not really for CNC? There is some kind of sign-on/authorization handshake to their platform which I've read has some teething pains but maybe getting better. There is no CAM in SW like Fusion. Now all this is should be confirmed with an authorized SW distributer for confirmation. I don't want to further derail the OP's post but thought I'd mention as it comes up often.

 

[Propforward]

I'm pretty sure the EAA free version is gone now, as you say. SW finally came out with a maker version to compete with Fusion I suspect. If SW Maker is to Fusion as Solidworks full is to Autodesk Inventor, then everyone will drop Fusion pretty fast because Inventor doesn't hold a candle to Solidworks - I use both every day. But I am not familiar with Fusion and SW Maker edition (no real need to be). My understanding is that those two tools are pretty limited, plus you're tied to the cloud etc etc.

Full SW does come with a CAM module - if you choose to add it in (and pay for it). The CAM module is part of SW Professional and SW Premium (I have the Premium license) - no idea what SW Maker has for CAM functionality. As you say, that is off topic. I paid a significant amount to have this thread as a site sponsor - so I would appreciate this thread not going further off topic. I’m offering very low rates to help model engineers who have no interest / wherewithal / ability as the case may be in CAD to get their designs documented / realized. You’ll not get these rates elsewhere for this kind of service.

Thank you kindly.

 

[Jasonb]

I'm sure it will be useful. I've drawn up a few parts for others, mostly they had access to 3D printers but were not CAD users so stuck with being able to print toys downloaded from the net. Now they have their part or patterns and core boxes for casting from. I've also redrawn fair number of old designs to suit metric.

The redrawing of a loco to metric is an interesting one. The simple way is to just redraw the old imperial design and then click a couple of buttons and out will pop 2D drawings dimensioned in metric. But that is not really a lot of use and is really something anyone can do with a calculator and does not need CAD.

What is really needed is to assess each part and then convert that as required so things like stock sizes should be changed, easy enough for diameters but what about things like the chassis. You can't get sheet in imperial thicknesses now so not only does a different metric thickness need to be used but also the lengths of all the stretchers need to be altered if the chassis is to remain the right width. Threads changed to metric for fasteners but then comes the quiestion will you use off the shelf steam fitting and if so will they come from the UK which will have ME thread or stick with metric and buy the fittings from mainland Europe in which case metric fine threads are the norm. Boiler may need some alterations to bring it upto current rules and so on.

That will put a lot more hours into the job and also need a designer who is familiar with what is available and used if the country where the model is to be made. Most old designs also have a list of errors which should be included into a redraw and ideally you would have the castings in your hand to make sure the metric sizes can be got out of the casting as in many cases you can't get the imperial size out of them.

 

[Propforward]

The customer and I go through all those kinds of details to figure out what it is that they need. I doubt if a complete redraw and remodel of existing designs (by others) is going to be a very frequently required service. Usually there is a specific need or small amounts of parts that need attention, so that gets understood in order to keep the price down. I work through that with each person so they get what they need. There is no “one size fits all” for this.

In the case of the loco, what is needed is not simply the metric dimensions figured out, but another requirement which does in fact need CAD. That’s between the customer and myself though. Ending up with a new detailed drawing of the component with metric dimensions on it is an added bonus for the customer. The whole point here is that I can help get over some of these challenges for those model engineers who don’t have or want CAD, to whatever depth of analysis they need / want.

Mostly though, it’s creating either drawings and models from clients own sketches, or specific items from an existing design to help the client with getting something made.

And again - you’ll not find this service professionally for the rates I am offering.

 

[Jasonb]

Thats good though the cost is likely to be high, several 100 parts to a loco and even at mates rates of $15 a part average it's going to be costly

MXWelder, even with the parts in metric and CAD what are you like using CAM to get say an STP file into G-code particularly if the CAD model needs some tweaks to suit being made on the CNC?

 

[Propforward]

Nobody is asking for someone elses entire loco to be redrawn. That’s just not a very likely scenario. Entire redraws are more likely only people who have their own engine design either on paper, or possibly modelled using Fusion or whatever. Anyone who is adjusting an stp file or indeed setting up a file for gcode is unlikely to need CAD help in the first place. If people do need models adjusted after the fact I do that too. Yes there’s a sensible limit to numbers of free changes, there has to be. Once I understand what the client is trying to do I can advise on adjustments to the model before even starting.

 

[Jasonb]

I was going by Post#23.

The first model for practice is obviously the 0-6-0 Simplex and then possibly the K-27 but I need help to transfer the drawings to CAD.
Buying some ex-school cnc mill and lathe in the very near future too

MX Welder says he has 5 locos in imperial and wants to start by transfering the Simplex to CAD, rest to follow

He then goes on to say he is going to buy a CNC mill and Lathe so that is why I queries how he will get anything out of them if he has no CAD or CAM ability.

 

[Propforward]

There’s more to it, as there always is. It’s amazing what people create by having the gumption to dive in and tackle the learning issues as they come up. MXWelder has his head on straight and knows what he is about. I am glad to have the opportunity to help him a bit. Hopefully I can help others too if they’re not all persuaded differently.

 

[Propforward]

Well, I guess it's a free for all, since the moderators and admin either can't or won't deal with their site. So to anyone needing CAD you can go with someone random with very few posts, who "has CAD on their computer and is willing to help you", or you can go with a professional design engineer who has some amount of standing in the forum, has a great deal of machinery out in the world (and in outer space come to think of it), and who likely won't charge any more but will do a much better job of getting your parts modelled and drawn. Your call, of course. Plus, I stand behind my work - good luck getting in touch with the rando's if you need a change on your part. Better hope they don't rip you off as well. Food for thought.

 

[Shelton]

Well, I guess it's a free for all, since the moderators and admin either can't or won't deal with their site. So to anyone needing CAD you can go with someone random with very few posts, who "has CAD on their computer and is willing to help you", or you can go with a professional design engineer who has some amount of standing in the forum, has a great deal of machinery out in the world (and in outer space come to think of it), and who likely won't charge any more but will do a much better job of getting your parts modelled and drawn. Your call, of course. Plus, I stand behind my work - good luck getting in touch with the rando's if you need a change on your part. Better hope they don't rip you off as well. Food for thought.

We arent on 24/7. This thread has been going great and I'm very happy with the engagement you're getting.

Some people did violate the code of conduct when it comes to sponsor threads so that has been removed.

Guys, we don't offer services in sponsor threads. It's their thread. Please be mindful of that.

 

[Propforward]

Thank you for taking care of that. I am currently in the midst of helping a couple of people on different projects, which is great. JasonB and I had a discussion offline and agreed that overall the thread discussion has been positive, and that his points raise some awareness aspects for people who may not know some of the nuances around CNC machining 3D printing and what not.

I welcome that discussion, I just don’t want to put anyone off.

Thanks for the cleanup.

 

[Propforward]

I was going by Post#23.



MX Welder says he has 5 locos in imperial and wants to start by transfering the Simplex to CAD, rest to follow

He then goes on to say he is going to buy a CNC mill and Lathe so that is why I queries how he will get anything out of them if he has no CAD or CAM ability.

Probably the same way machine shops do it. Most of the machinists have no CAD or CAM ability - those machinists get the support of an expert in that area. To date that hasn't been available in an affordable way to the hobbyist, but it is now. Saves learning anything new until one gets further in, and then they don't have to deal with Autodesk products.

 

[Jasonb]

All the gcode that I use is generated in the CAM programs post processor. Works great for 2D and 3D parts though I mostly machine 3D parts. I just press start and trust it, if there is a problem it is the operator (me) 99.9% of the time. After all it is what professional CNC shops use rather than manually writing gcode.

I'm sure Propforward could produce suitable files from old 2D paper drawings that could be used in a CAM program so you can make parts on a CNC or 3D print them or even send out to get them printed in metal etc.

 

[HMEL]

All the gcode that I use is generated in the CAM programs post processor. Works great for 2D and 3D parts though I mostly machine 3D parts. I just press start and trust it, if there is a problem it is the operator (me) 99.9% of the time. After all it is what professional CNC shops use rather than manually writing gcode.

I'm sure Propforward could produce suitable files from old 2D paper drawings that could be used in a CAM program so you can make parts on a CNC or 3D print them or even send out to get them printed in metal etc.

I agree, good programs can indeed make gcode files. But shops usually have a good quality assurance program to make sure they work they way they are supposed to. Not so sure the rest of us have the resources and finely tuned programs at home to do that. Even simple parts can be a problem especially if the cut line is generated on a curve. So thats one of the reasons I dont trust automatically generated code files. Kind of need some knowledge base they will work they way you expect them to.

 

[Jasonb]

With some of my parts needing several hundred thousand lines of gcode I'd rather have the CAM program generate them manually. The fee version of F360 works for me.