2D CAD - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 04:49:41 am
content: I am using Fusion 360 for designing enclosure prototypes or similar 3D models. When I only want a 2D design, either a front panel or only (paper) labels, what can I use ? I am looking for free software to use at home for non-commercial purposes.Edit: looks like QCAD is a good option.

author: cantata.tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 06:15:10 am
content: LibreCAD is ok up to a point even for a basic machine shop -https://librecad.org/

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 07:56:46 am
content: I like to use Inkscape for my accurate 2D work. I also use it for lasercutting and occasionally PCB layouts (I had a board that was a big array of LEDs, it was far easier to do in a vector drawing program than an actual PCB editor).Unfortunately it's UI seems to be getting fatter/wider over time and the redraw is laggy when panning around.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 08:36:06 am
content: I useSolidEdge 2Dwhich is free with registration.

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 11:34:46 am
content: Quote from: cantata.tech on April 07, 2023, 06:15:10 amThanks, it seems it is forked from and similar to QCAD. I will keep it in mind.

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 11:38:41 am
content: Quote from: Whales on April 07, 2023, 07:56:46 amThanks, I think I want to stay on the CAD programs for the moment but I will keep this in mind as well.

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 11:39:46 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on April 07, 2023, 08:36:06 amI havent seen it while searching, thanks for mentioning it.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 02:12:12 pm
content: I use Fusion 360 for modelling complex 3D parts, but for simple 2D stuff I often just quickly draw up the part outlines in CamBam. It has simple drawing features, can import an export DXF, and can generate Gcode. I use different layers/colours for different parts that share outlines, e.g. multiple layers plastic that fit together, and select the various profiles for milling operations.I recently did a box front panel with PCB outlines, panel cutouts, metal brackets, and cover plate all in the one file. It was more or less a one-off job (3rd and hopefully last time I've made this device - an RFID reader for penguins), I only machined the metal bracket and cover plate. I printed the front panel cut outs as 1:1 scale for marking and manual drilling/milling. Screenshot attached.It is primarily a CAM program, but is usable for making drawings and doesn't take too much effort to learn. I believe the free version is limited to generating smaller Gcode files (1000 lines), but has no limits on actual drawing. It isn't a CAD program in the sense of printing drawings with annotations for documentation purposes. I have no affiliation, and have been using it for about 15 years (paid version) when I got my first CNC mill.http://www.cambam.info/

author: EEEnthusiast
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 03:09:54 pm
content: I use LibreCAD extensively. Very easy to learn and stable software..

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 04:55:49 pm
content: Quote from: EEEnthusiast on April 08, 2023, 03:09:54 pmI like more the old looking interface of QCAD, but I dont know if there is any other difference particularly in terms of export and import which I will need. Do you know if there is any major differences ?

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 05:53:00 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on April 08, 2023, 02:12:12 pmif you are already using f360, just sketch it extrude what ever depth you need and generating gcode is very simple

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 06:09:10 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on April 08, 2023, 05:53:00 pmI need 2d output, dxf etc. I think it is only available in paid subscription with f360.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 06:42:18 pm
content: Quote from: metebalci on April 08, 2023, 06:09:10 pmI believe you can export a single sketch as dxf in the free version

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 07:13:36 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on April 08, 2023, 06:42:18 pmI thought it is not possible since dxf export is disabled but checked it again, and right clicking on sketch and save as dxf surprisingly works. So this might solve my issue. Thanks.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2023, 09:51:36 pm
content: The free version of A9cad is a simple, registration-free, 2D CAD package (there used to be a paid version with extra features). A9tech no longer exists but it is still available to download from Softronic, cnet etc. Don't try the A9tech website download link, it is broken. The interface is basic, reminicent of the Autocad of old (it supports most Autocad keyboard shortcuts), supports absolute and relative numeric coordinate input etc. It opens and saves DWG and DXF formats and is the one package I ever found that would import my old Autosketch 2.1 / 6 drawings and maintain the unit and font scaling correctly.Having said that, I rather like the look of LibreCAD (although its DWG loading is not complete).

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2023, 02:29:41 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on April 08, 2023, 05:53:00 pmThe PC in my workshop running the CNC is a bit too old to run F360, but runs CamBam no problem even alongside Mach3. Saves me having to keep going up and down the stairs for small changes.I've been throwing together simple 2D/2.5D designs in CamBam to run on my various CNCs for about 15 years, and I wouldn't be surprised if I'm still using it in another 15 years - even if only to extract DXF data. I doubt that will be the case with F360...

author: MR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2023, 04:48:31 am
content: FreeCAD should be more than good enough for that.

author: eleguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2023, 07:21:16 am
content: I picked up a FreeCAD but it is not so easy to learn. Many said me that you just have toand then calm down and just start to think in a "FreeCad" way. And so it really went. I had lot of "fun" while everything blows into part and one has to revisit sketches. BUT, once I got over the certain boundary I have learned to like FreeCad. It does the job. Recently I invested into 3Dconnexion mouse and even that works in FreeCAD fairly well (even I am using stuff on Linux).

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2023, 06:11:06 pm
content: Isnt FreeCAD more like Fusion 360 ? I have no problem with using Fusion for 3D modeling, but its 2D is a bit limited (but still useful thanks to here I learned I can save the sketch as dxf). QCAD seems to me very easy to learn, probably LibreCAD is same.

author: MR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 12:42:51 am
content: LibreCAD is quick (much quicker than freecad), I did some nesting of parts for laser cutting myself and it took a few minutes to load with LibreCAD, FreeCAD I aborted after 24 hours.That said don't use FreeCAD if you don't know it and the project is sensitive or important.Learning FreeCAD needs to be started with something less critical because it has several issues. It is valuable to learn about it.