CAD Drawing

[Clydesauce]

Does anyone know of where I can get help in designing a CAD drawing? I have been trying to draw for a couple months but I still can get it to the final step before I send out and get my templates cut.

If anyone can help, that would be so very helpful.

Thanks,
Clyde

[fdeck]

Do you have something already designed in a CAD program? Many shops will accept your CAD file, no need for drawings.

[Clydesauce]

I have a design but it is very ugly when I comes to the body. I just can't get the curves to look right and now sure what to do.

[fdeck]

Ah, I assumed you were talking about some sort of metalwork. Unfortunately, all's I know how to design are things with lots of right angles.

[T-Bird]

Hi Clyde.

I assume You mean 2D?

I also assume that You're using an Autocad or a clone. Okay, Autocad inspired free CAD .

Back when I needed to outsource my fabricating, I sent both the .dxf as well as the .dwg file, as well as a paper copy with any additional info.

That should take care of the compatibility issues between the designer and the fabricator.

If You want flowing curves, draw with arc's, circles or ellipses.

Regards
Sam

[Frank Tuesday]

Originally Posted by Clydesauce

I have a design but it is very ugly when I comes to the body. I just can't get the curves to look right and now sure what to do.

What software are you using? I think that using splines is your best bet for curved edges.

Here is a bass shape that I drew in about 5 minutes.


The start point of the spline is where the body meets the fretboard at the 12th fret, and the end point is at the 24th fret near the lower horn. Inbetween there are 8 points that the spline goes through. You can move these points, or define the tangent angle at the points. You can use as many points as you want, but the fewer you use, the easier it is to edit.

This was done in SolidWorks, but all full feature Cad programs should have the same thing.

[Solarmist]

+1 On using the spline button, and as Frank said - you can move the points or add more if needed.

[dnosewor]

I might be able to help you out Clyde. I'm using autocad 8 hours a day. I'm usually designing ships but I think I can handle some curves on a bass. We have a bunch of other software here too so I should be able to get you what you need.

Dean.

[iamlowsound]

Splines work, just make sure that you don't put a whole bunch of vertices on it, or it will get difficult to manipulate after the fact.

lowsound

[the ombudsman]

Most CNC cutters don't like splines much. Better go with tangeant arcs.