Able2Extract PDF Converter Review

Often times in the world of CAD and engineering we find ourselves with a PDF document that we wish we could modify but can't. The solution used to be we had to recreate the document in its native program from scratch. This was especially painful if we were dealing with a complicated AutoCAD drawing in PDF format. Luckily, those days are long gone. Investintech has created the best PDF conversion software around and one of the best benefits is being able to convert those pesky PDFs back into DWG or DXF files. Not  only does it convert PDF to AutoCAD, it also does the whole range of Office products including Excel, Word, PPT, and others. How awesome is that? It's easy to use and there are Windows, Mac, and Linux versions available.

You can see some document conversion examples on their website as well as a link to download a free trial here: http://www.investintech.com/able2extract.html
I highly recommend you check it out!

How to Convert PDF to AutoCAD

One question many CAD users ask is if there is an easy way to convert PDF to AutoCAD format. Well, now there is an easy, and best of all, FREE solution for you. PDFAutoCAD is a free PDF to DWG  and DXF conversion for AutoCAD-designed PDFs.

Some of its distinct features are:

• High quality conversions with lines, arcs, scale presets and texts preserved, and no need for further touch-ups.
• Files of up to 40MB can be uploaded and converted quickly.
• All uploaded user data, including emails, is deleted in accordance with their privacy policy.
• Everything is free - they support themselves via ads on the homepage (please, don’t be confused by them).

I've used this site myself and find it very useful. Check it out here.

3D Boat Design Software

I recently found a nice 3D boat design software to help you design anything that floats. If you have ever wanted to design a boat yourself then this is the program for you. 3DBoatDesign is a versatile CAD software package that is easy to use yet also powerful at the same time. Some feature of 3DBoatDesign include enhanced hydrostatic calculations, easy 3d scaling, rotating, and moving, hull sculptor, resistance calculations and more!

3DBoatDesign is to boats as NoLimits Simulator is to roller coasters - simply the best available software to everyday consumers and affordable too!

Download 3D Boat Design today and starting designing the watercraft of your dreams!

Importing AutoCAD Drawings into CATIA

 How to convert DXF drawings into CATIA CATPart sketches 

There's a little trick I use when I need to copy and paste DXF 2D drawing views from AutoCAD into a sketch for a CATPart file. First of all, if you attempt to simply copy and paste a drawing view directly into the part file you may get something that looks the image picture below- a jumbled mess of data, points, and lines. 

In order to fix this problem to import the drawing data completely, open the dxf file in CATIA. Next, save the drawing as an IG2 file (which is a 2D iges file). Now open the IG2 file and copy the main view into the CATPart. Or, another option is you can rename your IG2 2D file in Windows as .igs and then open that file and it will be imported in CATIA as a 3D part file. Sometimes you have to get creative and employ these little work-arounds to get the software to do exactly what you want it to do.

Learn AutoCAD for Dummies Review

AutoCAD is one of the leading 2D software used by engineers, architects, and designers. AutoCAD 2012 for Dummies quickly brings readers up-to-date on the latest version with all the new additions and revisions to the program. This book includes great colored illustrations and tutorials to help users better understand the material. This book was a huge help to me, someone used to running AutoCAD 2005 when I needed to, but am now making the upgrade to AutoCAD 2012. Believe it or not, even with model based definition where data is contained with 3D models, I am still needing to go to AutoCAD from time to time to whip up a quick drawing for a fixture or jig. As a mechanical engineer, it never hurts to stay up to date on the latest software available and this book is a great way to do that.

I do want to note this book is written specially for Windows users (sorry MAC peeps).

Purchase AutoCAD 2012 for Dummies and start learning how to use AutoCAD today!

Download Architects Cad Drawings

Are you looking for AutoCAD symbols, details & drawings? Download Architects Cad Drawings contains a huge database of downloadable CAD symbols, drawings, details, and building templates in AutoCAD format. This symbols are perfect for creating floor plans or site layouts.

This is the perfect resource for CAD draftsmen and CAD technicians. There are over 6500 CAD files to download from. Click Here!

Evolution of Computer Skills of a Mechanical Engineer

Trust me, I'm an Engineer! This is sad but true. Excel is a great and powerful tool. I think you could group PowerPoint into that category too. I also enjoy the engineering flow chart!

Gift Ideas for CAD and 3D Modelers

Are you shopping for a CAD user, 3D modeler, or an engineer? Well, I have a couple of holiday gift suggestions for you.

A full-color guide to the #1 architectural drafting program—AutoCAD 2012 for Dummies. AutoCAD is the leading software used to create 2D and 3D technical drawings. Used by engineers, architects, and drafting professionals, it can be complex and is a perfect subject for the tried-and-true For Dummies format. Full-color illustrations make the instructions even easier to follow, because examples in the book appear exactly as they will on the screen.

Fully updated for the latest version of software, Kelley’s Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 Instructor remains organized around step-by-step tutorials — the most effective way to teach and learn this procedure-intensive CAD application. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 Instructor provides a solid background in parametric design and constraint-based modeling. In addition, the comprehensive references make this text an all-in-one tutorial, reference, and lecture guide for students of Pro/ENGINEER.

CATIA V6 (Computer-Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application) is the world's leading multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE software suite marketed worldwide by IBM. It allows the user to apply its capabilities to a variety of industries such as automotive, industrial robots, electronics, manufacturing design, aerospace, and consumer goods. CATIA V6 Essentials includes all the major concepts related to the latest version of CATIA, such as installation, modes, and modeling in an easy-to-understand, step-by-step format. It also covers all the major commands and techniques and provides the reader with all of the details to learn the basics with a clear method of instruction. This comprehensive reference will help you navigate this multifaceted software with ease.

Solid Edge ST3 for Designers is a comprehensive textbook that introduces the users to direct modeling with precise control of dimension-driven design through precision sketching and selection handles using the Solid Edge ST3 software. The textbook covers all major environments of Solid Edge ST3 in both the Synchronous and Ordered modeling with a thorough explanation of all tools, options, and their applications to create real-world products.

And some shameless self-promotion. Have you ever wondered what it takes to design and build a roller coaster? At last, there’s a book that shows you. A mix of engineering and art, roller coasters are complex three-dimensional puzzles consisting of thousands of individual parts. Designers spend countless hours creating and tweaking ride paths to push the envelope of exhilaration, all while maintaining the highest safety standards. Coasters 101: An Engineering Guide to Roller Coaster Design examines the numerous diverse aspects of roller coaster engineering, including some of the mathematical formulas and engineering concepts used.

Free 3D CAD Viewer downloadable software compariso

A useful tool in today's world of engineering is to have software which can view 3D CAD models but without having all of the tools of a CAD software system thus making the viewer extremely cheap (ideally it would be free). Here is a table comparing a few different CAD Viewer software programs and in the coming weeks I will be offering a more descriptive breakdown of each one including their strengths and weaknesses. 

AutoCAD 2008 Video Tutorial

Here is a pretty good video tutorial for using AutoCAD 2008 which includes the Autocad interface, toolbars, pull-down menus, command line, accessing commands.

What are typical scales used in drafting?

•2:1 – double scale – 1” on the drawing = ½” in actual life

•1:1 – full scale – 1” on the drawing = 1” in actual life

•1:2 – half scale – 1” on the drawing = 2” in actual life

•1:4 – quarter scale – 1” on the drawing = 4” in actual life

•1:10 – 1 tenth scale – Etc..

•1:20 – 1 twentieth scale – Etc..

Theo Jansen Mechanism Matlab Code M-file

 A few readers have requested the full m file for the Theo Jansen mechanism. I've uploaded it here. If the download won't work for you lease me your email address and I will gladly send it to you. Please don't just copy the file. This is meant for reference only. In other words, figure it out on your own!

http://cadsystemshelp.blogspot.com/2010/04/theo-jansen-mechanism-matlab-code.html

Theo Jansen Mechanism Matlab Code.doc download 

*7/22/2011 download link should be fixed now!

What is a Mylar drawing?

Mylar is a trade name for bopet (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) polyester film. Also known as Melinex or Hostaphan, this transparent, durable material is used in food storage, insulation and sailing, but it is perhaps best known for its applications in the graphic arts, most notably for CAD drawings. A few customary drawing techniques enhance its positive attributes.


Architects and engineers use Mylar in designing their work. The schematics are drawn up, usually by a computer program such as AutoCAD, and then printed. Schematics on Mylar reflect the depth and dimension of the finished project more easily than blueprints. Once the Mylar is drawn up, these illustrations become part of the legally binding agreement between contractors, the employer and the design firm. 

   
Many companies today are in the process of taking their un-dimensioned drawings on stable-based material (Mylars) and preserving them by fully integrating the legacy Mylars into the automated work environment through digitization and subsequent storage capacities.

One frequent problem often encountered in this transfer of data is projects may require a very precise tolerance of +/-.005" accuracy over any five- or ten-inch area for the digital scanned files. The drawings are on Mylar, which is a plastic sheeting material that may be affected over the years by changes in temperature. This means that the older drawings may have stretched or otherwise changed in size, affecting the accuracy of the drawing itself. The accuracy of the final digital file is of paramount importance. These digital files are stored in an electronic repository as a permanent archive for all of our drawings. If we need to refer to these digital drawings, or print out a new paper drawing, it is essential that the measurements be as accurate as, if not better than the original Mylar drawing when it was new.

  More information on un-dimensioned Mylars:

• An un-dimensioned drawing presents the engineering definition graphically without the use of numerical dimensions.
  
• Sizes and relationships of un-dimensioned features are determined by scaling the original drawing or by scaling a stable reproduction made from it.
  
• Un-dimensioned drawing forms are identified by the letters PCM or "Photo Contact Master."
  
• Effectivity notes indicate part replacement, upgrades and modifications for various models.
  

Un-dimensioned drawings are typically used to define parts with all or a majority of tolerances plus or minus .030" or greater. This includes sheet metal parts, extrusions, cable assemblies, and wiring harnesses.

What are the components of a Mylar drawing?

• Title block
  
• Bill of materials
  

What information can be found in a bill of material?

• Part number
  
• Description
  
• Zone
  
• Quantity
  
• Material Specifications
  
• Extrusion callouts
  
• Thickness and size
  
• Flag notes
  
• Revision level
  

What are common abbreviations found on Mylar drawings?

• ECN: Engineering Change Notice
• ECO: Engineering Change Order
• PCR: Project Change Request
• PCM: Photo Contact Master
• A.N.D: Army Navy Drawing
• BDN: bend down
• BUP: bend up
• BR: bend radius
• R: radius
• TYP: typical
• JOG: joggle
• SHN: shown
• OPP: opposite
• FLG: flange
• EOP: edge of part

Download Architects Cad Drawings - CAD symbols, drawings, and details

 

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) Symbols

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is a language used on mechanical engineering drawings composed of symbols that are used to efficiently and accurately communicate geometry requirements for associated features on components and assemblies. Many industries use GD&T including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. Listed below are some of the most common GD&T symbols used throughout the engineering world.

 Download CAD symbols, drawings, and details.

How To: AutoCAD 2008 Tutorial

I found this video to be very helpful. AutoCAD 2008 Tutorial, the Autocad interface, toolbars, pull-down menus, command line, accessing commands.

AutoCAD to CATIA: Train CAD Model

I'm working on a new project where I am taking AutoCAD drawings of a steam locomotive and recreating it in 3D with CATIA. After about 4 hours of work here is the result (from 3D Via):

I will be writing a full how-to on this later so stay tuned!