[chopper14]

Whats a cheap cad program that i can use for a plamsa/gas profile table?
Were can i go to download a free trail?
I am most likely going to use sheet cam and mach 3
Any help would be great
Thanks

[ger21]

How about free? Here's one nnearly identical to AutoCAD for free.

http://www.progecad.com/compra/index...age=1&lang=eng

[Torchhead]

Depends on what you intend to cut. If decorative or sign type cuts are in the mix then consider a drawing/illustration program instead of CAD. We use and recommend CorelDraw (you can get a copy of ver12 of the web for 49.00 or less).

Honestly, once you master the vector drawing tools in CorelDraw they work well for any shape cutting or even 2.5 Routing project. I am doing decorative kitchen doors today with my router and the artwork was done in CorelDraw. Using it's ability to import all kinds of vector and bitmap images I found a geometric shape consisting of a Corner and side and used the object weld to build the shapes for each size door....but I digress. For decorative plasma you need the ability to manipulate text (wrap it around a curve) to quickly weld in bits of letters (stencil cuts) and other things that are hard to do in pure CAD.

If you already draw in CAD and just want to do simple shapes than any CAD package will do. If you are starting out new then it's no harder to learn CorelDraw than a CAD package.

The combination of CorelDraw, DXFtool, SheetCAM and MACH have been working for us for several years in doing commercial decorative plasma cutting.

Tom CAUDLE
www.CandCNC.com
www.FourhillsDesigns.com

[aicomp]

Hi,
For the cad, I use Bobcad. Bobcad is not cheap, but real easy to learn and very functional. I do agree with Tom, in that I also use Corel Draw 12 for artwork. I am not an artsy kinda guy, but I found Corel Draw 12 easy to learn. Remember, learning takes time. Spend some quality time alone with whatever software you use. Practice and remember that is why they made the UNDO command. I am very familiar with that one, Ha.
Mike Pennington
penningtonfab.com

[DareBee]

There is a superb (and free) 2d CAD available from SolidEdge. You can download from their site (if I remember correctly).