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What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
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Author:  Pat Redmiles [ Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:48 pm ]
Post subject:  What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Hello all. I need a CAD package for the Mac. Here's some details: the Mac is an Intel iMac, fairly recent. The major features I want are
- bezier curves
- easily specified parameters for objects (such as length and width of a rectangle, without needing to draw it with the mouse)
- curve tracing (converting a bitmap to smooth lines and curves)
- auto dimensioning
- a not-too-steep learning curve
- not super expensive

Any suggestions? I don't need to prepare drawings for CNC (I can't afford a thickness sander - CNC is WAY out of reach) and I would like 3D but I don't require it. The only package I've tried out is TurboCAD and I found it a bit too complicated to do the tasks I want to do, which is draw guitar and guitar part shapes.

Thanks for the help!!
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
They're working on Rhino for OSX

http://community.irhino3d.com/

It's in a closed (application-based) beta, it could be some time before they get it working well. There's not a whole lot of professional software on MacOS outside of artistic fields; I think most people are just using Parallels or something similar if they're sticking to their guns on working in MacOS.
Author:  Pat Foster [ Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Pat

You might have a look at Cadintosh at

http://www.lemkesoft.com/xd/public/cont ... E3MA_.html

It's workable for 2D CAD and it's a free trial but with limited features.

Pat
Author:  KenH [ Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
I am actually thinking about going to a mac myself and wonder if anybody knows if the windows version of BobCAD will run on a mac?
Author:  Pat Foster [ Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Ken,

Haven't seen you around in awhile!

There are some emulators that allow Windows apps to run on Mac. Parallels is one, I believe another is called Crossover. Try googling

windows emulators for mac

Probably the most foolproof in terms of guaranteed compatibility would be to use Bootcamp, which comes with newer Macs, and allows you to install the Windows XP, Vista, or 7. Bootcamp includes all the Windows drivers for the Mac hardware. It's dual-boot, so you can choose to boot windows or Mac on startup. You need to have a legal copy of Windows. I'm in the process of doing this on the iMacs in our lab.

Pat
Author:  KenH [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Thanks for the info Pat!
I have a nephew that swears that I can run my CAD programs on a MAC using the crossover program. I guess my best bet would be to go to an apple store and see if I can install and run my CAD/CAM software from there.

I have been a PC guy forever, dabbling in Linux a little, but I am getting tired of all of the problems that come with windows.

Thanks again and good to see you online!
Author:  cyborgcnc [ Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Yet, it is ironic, how you need to go back and BOOT into windows to do any sort of real cad work....

:D

Why not just go get a good used machine from Ebay, run windows on it, and go from there?

Another way to run windows would be to use a virtual environment, like vmware (fusion).

http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/

This is one of the best and most well known emulators on that market....

good luck, regardless which way you decide to go, and let us know if we can help you further on your path...
Author:  Anthony Lembo [ Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What's a good CAD package for the Mac?
Hi Ken,

I've been using Rhino and RhinoCAM via VMware Fusion on a Macbook Pro for a bit over a year now. No problems whatsoever. Use XP if you go the Fusion route - better stability, IMO. I would think that you'd be fine with BobCAD.

The kicker is that you would still need to buy a copy of Windows.

I'm no expert, but let me know if I can help.

Good luck!

Anthony
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