I know some of you guys are good at this program... I would like to know how to put something very simple together in autocad using a basic and free parts library (i'm actually using the intellicad demo, but its supposed to be very similar).


For example, where could I download a library that has a nut and bolt in it - then how do I instantiate the nut and bolt into my design and thread them together?

10/14/2007 6:11:31 PM

buy a book, this is opening a huge can of worms.

10/14/2007 6:48:08 PM

kthx

anyone else?

10/14/2007 6:52:38 PM

Try dragging and dropping.

10/14/2007 7:20:17 PM

oh tww, how you have let me down... i forgot that everyone here works tech support type jobs

10/14/2007 10:57:18 PM

I have over 12 years experience in AutoCAD but I have no idea what you are talking about.

IntelliCAD is not AutoCAD.

For AutoCAD you could just google nut.dwg or bolt.dwg or search for nuts and bolts blocks.

10/14/2007 11:00:37 PM

is autocad not used for mechanical engineering?

10/16/2007 8:20:39 PM

As far as I know, AutoCAD is for architects...

10/16/2007 8:52:52 PM

you probably want something like solidworks

[Edited on October 16, 2007 at 9:03 PM. Reason : are you trying to do 2D or 3D?]

10/16/2007 9:01:53 PM

^^ Odd that I've seen pressure vessels design images from AutoCAD.

10/16/2007 9:28:45 PM

Solidworks is better for that type of thing. Yes, autocad can be used for that though.

10/16/2007 9:50:02 PM

Hmm nevermind, it's a lot cheaper than I remember it being...

[Edited on October 16, 2007 at 9:54 PM. Reason : ]

10/16/2007 9:53:20 PM

AutoCAD is for the entire construction industry, from architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, machinists, fabricators, manufacturer's, etc..

10/16/2007 11:03:19 PM

BigMan, I'm trying to do 3d.... I'm not exactly a stranger to cad tools so I figure it wouldn't be difficult to learn how to use a new one in order to tinker around with ideas in a virtual space.

I know when I was in college, I would always see civil/mechanical engineers working in the labs putting nuts and bolts through solid surfaces and shit, so i know its possible using some tool

[Edited on October 16, 2007 at 11:04 PM. Reason : s]

10/16/2007 11:04:22 PM

does anyone know what tool the engineers in NCSU computer labs are using when they do this kind of thing?

10/18/2007 10:33:26 PM

Quote :

"I'm trying to do 3d"

3d what? Drawing? Are making a schematic? Are you doing an analysis? Are you doing a promotional rendering?

The best tool depends on the application. Tell us what your application is and you can get some good advice.

10/18/2007 11:41:50 PM

I want to create a 3d model of a constructed project, including nuts/bolts/etc.

its not a promotional rendering.

I am not trying to create a schematic

[Edited on October 18, 2007 at 11:44 PM. Reason : s]

10/18/2007 11:43:45 PM

I thinking solidworks or inventor is your best bet. Both have extensive libraries of objects online.

10/18/2007 11:46:24 PM

solidworks has become the de facto standard for 2D and 3D mechanical modeling.

that said, people still use autocad for this stuff. just do what someone earlier said
and google "nut.dwg"

here is the first link that comes up. buncha shit in here, you can probably find what
you need

http://www.colinusher.info/Robin%20Hood/autocad.html



[Edited on October 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM. Reason : ]

10/19/2007 9:56:47 AM