NEW 200+ Part Community CAD Library

[Ed Sparks]

Originally Posted by Cory

..... This is why FIRST CAD Library is good. You may not get a native file that you can easily modify, but you'll get an accurate file that you can bring into any CAD program, whether your software is 15 years old or brand new.

Hey! You guys keep this thing going and I might be able to retire!

I struggled for a long time about opening up the FCL to outside contributions and decided against it so I'm glad to see another sites pick this up. Cory makes the ultimate point in my opinion. You need to find a way to maintain the integrity of your content. There's nothing more frustrating than to cut a part based on an external model's dimensions only to find out that it wasn't accurate enough. Not that everything on FCL is perfect but I put a lot of effort in accuracy. Know too that even the generic model formats have trouble importing into older versions of CAD SW. I've had trouble in the past using AndyMark STEP files in my older versions of Inventor so I often just redraw them. This doesn't seem to be the case going the other way. I use Inventor 6 not only to keep the Inventor folks happy but the exported generic formats seem to be universally understood. FCL is not behind the times in my choice of development CAD software, it's just the way I choose to keep everything as universally compatable as I can. Be sure the posted work is origional and not copies of others work on other sites. It's a little anoying to see your work posted with someone else taking credit (or ask them if it's OK). There are several FCL models already posted on this new site and I didn't put them there. Also, IMHO, it's also not too cool to "tweak" or "Collect" someone elses work and call it you own. You should give the origional author credit. Another suggestion is to not worry too much about textures and other such details. These things are easily added, besides the generic formats don't usually contain this info. Keep your website as simple as you can (slow = frustration). Use high contrast in your color selections. Dark gray on Black is tough on old guys like me.

I'll be glad to help you in any way I can..........