Go to Post Welcome to FIRST! You will soon figure out that there is no "exit strategy" from this program. - David Brinza [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > Technical > CAD
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-10-2010, 21:53
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,519
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
CAD for older computers

I have a set of computers that are Pentium 4 2GHz with only 256mb of DDR RAM. Quite lacking by today's standards, especially in RAM. Is there any free or inexpensive CAD program still around that would run on these things? If I recall, 256mb of RAM is just barely enough to keep XP SP3 running, without even running any programs.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-10-2010, 23:34
RoboDesigners's Avatar
RoboDesigners RoboDesigners is offline
Registered User
VRC #2190 (RoboDesigners)
Team Role: Leadership
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 361
RoboDesigners will become famous soon enoughRoboDesigners will become famous soon enough
Re: CAD for older computers

My first suggestion is to take the computer to BestBuy and ask them to put in more RAM if possible. (Or if you're the adventurous type, do it yourself.)

If you can get 512MB of RAM, you could try Google SketchUp. (sketchup.google.com/) It is totally different than AutoDesk Inventor (my only other CAD experience), but it is quite intuitive and great for quick prototyping...

Hope this helps!
__________________
Visit my website! www.RoboDesigners.com

VRC Team #2190

Twitter: @RoboDesigners
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-10-2010, 23:55
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,519
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

It isn't just one computer, it is about 16 for a class. Also, I should mention Bestbuy is the absolute last place I'd take any computer. I'm trying to see if I can work with what I have before requesting upgrades. The machines are not in a setting where I have full control over upgrading them, but I am plenty capable if they were.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004

Last edited by sanddrag : 02-10-2010 at 01:04.
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 01:41
MrForbes's Avatar
MrForbes MrForbes is online now
Registered User
AKA: Jim
FRC #1726 (N.E.R.D.S.)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Sierra Vista AZ
Posts: 6,033
MrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond reputeMrForbes has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

What type of CAD program are you looking for? Years ago there was something like Expert Cad or KeyCad or something that would run on really old computers (like the original Pentiums)

3d modeling software seems to be kind of expensive, and the folks who sell it don't sell old versions cheap or give them away, as far as I can tell.
Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 01:59
Andrew Schreiber Andrew Schreiber is offline
Joining the 900 Meme Team
FRC #0079
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Misplaced Michigander
Posts: 4,078
Andrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond reputeAndrew Schreiber has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

http://brlcad.org/d/about BRLCad comes to mind. Sadly it has a pretty crazy learning curve on it.
__________________




.
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 09:23
ThaineP
 
Posts: n/a
Re: CAD for older computers

Quote:
Originally Posted by RoboDesigners View Post
If you can get 512MB of RAM, you could try Google SketchUp. (sketchup.google.com/) It is totally different than AutoDesk Inventor (my only other CAD experience), but it is quite intuitive and great for quick prototyping...

Hope this helps!
That was my suggestion, too.


Thaine
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 17:59
Greg Needel's Avatar Unsung FIRST Hero
Greg Needel Greg Needel is offline
REVving up for a new season
FRC #2848 (All-sparks)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,111
Greg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond reputeGreg Needel has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Why not just find some older versions of CAD software that will run on those machines. CAD is one of those things that learning the fundamentals even on old software will be better than nothing. Google sketchup, while it has it's interesting features is NOT an engineering CAD software with very few features that will translate over to a real system. I would rather run Inventor Version 5 than sketchup.


You might also want to check pro-e student edition, they did some things to lighten the software so it is capable of running on things other than $1000 work stations.
__________________
Greg Needel│www.robogreg.com
Co-founder REV Robotics LLC www.REVrobotics.com
2014 FRC World Champions with 254, 469, & 74
Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 18:15
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,519
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Needel View Post
Why not just find some older versions of CAD software that will run on those machines. CAD is one of those things that learning the fundamentals even on old software will be better than nothing. Google sketchup, while it has it's interesting features is NOT an engineering CAD software with very few features that will translate over to a real system. I would rather run Inventor Version 5 than sketchup.
I agree. Sketchup is a great tool, but is not an engineering tool. It does lack many of the dimensioning, relation, and sketch and modeling tools of a real CAD program. I don't think it would be adequate for my purposes.

Inventor 5 is still a favorite of mine for simple and lightweight work. It'll run adequately on most computers from the last 7 years. The problem is, I don't think there's any way I'd legally be able to get licenses for Inventor 5.

Thanks for the tip on Pro/E. To be honest, I kind of forgot about Pro/E. It looks like they have a great school program. I'll definitely look into it, and it may be worth upgrading the computers if we can get better software at no cost.

I had been looking to see if there's anything that can get me by for a few months on these older machines, but I know, their time has past.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004

Last edited by sanddrag : 02-10-2010 at 18:40.
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 19:06
Ether's Avatar
Ether Ether is offline
systems engineer (retired)
no team
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Rookie Year: 1969
Location: US
Posts: 8,125
Ether has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Quote:
Originally Posted by sanddrag View Post
Is there any free or inexpensive CAD program still around that would run on these things?
http://cadstd.com/lite.php

http://users.telenet.be/desi-iii/MainFrmE.html

http://www.justcad.com/downloads.html

http://www.vectorengineer.com

I haven't tried these yet, but they're supposed to be free.



Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-10-2010, 20:11
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,519
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ether View Post
Wow, those will definitely run on some much older computers. Good find.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004
Reply With Quote
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 05-10-2010, 15:15
joek's Avatar
joek joek is offline
Team Welder and CAD tech
FRC #2052 (KnightKrawler)
Team Role: Mechanical
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Irondale H.S.
Posts: 231
joek is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: CAD for older computers

it would probably be better to get a new computer, if it's old enough that it only has 256 ram, it probably will have some other issues as well. most cad programs require a decent computer ( at least 1 gig ram, 80 gig HD or better, and a nice graphics card). your cpu probably isn't up to par either, so you would be looking at almost a new computer as-is. if your going to be doing a lot of cad work, get a basic gaming computer, but if it's just occasional use, almost any new/ slightly used computer would work. if your goin to get a used one, get one that is less than 5 years old.
__________________


2012 Record (13-2-0)
lake superior regional finalists- thank you WAVE (2826) and Blue Twilight (2220)
Reply With Quote
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 05-10-2010, 16:25
Ether's Avatar
Ether Ether is offline
systems engineer (retired)
no team
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Rookie Year: 1969
Location: US
Posts: 8,125
Ether has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond reputeEther has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Quote:
Originally Posted by joek View Post
it would probably be better to get a new computer
The operative word above is "a".

It isn't just one computer, it is about 16 for a class. I think that's why he is looking for a less expensive solution.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...78&postcount=3




Reply With Quote
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 05-10-2010, 16:46
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,519
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
Re: CAD for older computers

Well, I tried out DraftSight and it appears to work just fine on these. I'm impressed. That's my temporary solution. It seems that with some upgrades, I could run something like Pro/E. It would cost about $1400 to max out all 16 to 2 gigs of RAM, which could be do-able.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Web Interface for older Vex? Dr.Bot VEX 4 05-08-2010 22:53
Social Networking Site Suggestions For The Older Crowd? dangerousdave Chit-Chat 4 26-07-2008 23:54
Lokking for older 2005-2007 posts ericand CD Forum Support 3 04-12-2007 15:43
Looking for a CAD program that will run on an older comp Cuog Inventor 3 10-12-2005 18:44
How many computers can we put CAD on? DonsneverWRONG Inventor 1 23-01-2005 14:45


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:08.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi