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keakap wrote:Ah, yes, there's nothing quite like graph paper and a sharp #2!

But (there it is again), having gotten to the point where I almost know what I'm doing with TCad, I find myself jumping to the digital doodle first, with a new idea. Kind of a reverse process. Work up a rough drawing, print it out, then sit down- with a cool one- and noodle the details on the page. Updating is a real value, in this, erase that, change, modify, and especially ZOOM to the max to see details you didn't even know about and problems you couldn't possibly have otherwise seen, and dimensioning- Wow. The ability to zoom in and out and fly all about the object in unrestricted 3D is priceless.

I've tried Sketchup and haven't done well with it. But I see lotsa people having fun with it and producing very useful drawings. I think it's a lot like Windows versus Mac- whichever one you start with, it's the other that's then difficult. I sure hope they don't ruin it. Seen that happen all too often. For the almighty buck.

So enlighten us on TCad. Google likes IEEE or municipal tax stuff??????





Please!;)

The biggest difference between the two versions, Pro and the basic free download version is the inclusion of Layout which is very handy for printing two dimensional plans. If I remember correctly the "solid" tool set is not part of the free version. Basically the rest is the same. I upgraded to the pro version several years back because I wanted the 2D printing capabilities of Layout. If that isn't important 99.99% of woodworking drawings work great in the standard version. I see no changes since Trimble took over the reigns. Once you upgrade to 2013 version and rewrite the files prior versions don't read the new version. But it is that way with lots of different software.

tenbears wrote:The biggest difference between the two versions, Pro and the basic free download version is the inclusion of Layout which is very handy for printing two dimensional plans. If I remember correctly the "solid" tool set is not part of the free version. Basically the rest is the same. I upgraded to the pro version several years back because I wanted the 2D printing capabilities of Layout. If that isn't important 99.99% of woodworking drawings work great in the standard version. I see no changes since Trimble took over the reigns. Once you upgrade to 2013 version and rewrite the files prior versions don't read the new version. But it is that way with lots of different software.

It is that way with Sketchup already. If you have 6.0 files and you open them in 8.0 the resulting files will no longer function in 6.0. Sketchup warns you when that is about to happen. If you, for some reason, want to retain 6.0 functionality - don't use 8.0 with those files.

I haven't downloaded the free 2013 Version of Sketchup because I am fearful that if I become familiar with that I'll no longer be satisfied with 8.0 and I cannot afford to purchase Sketchup Pro 2013.

dusty wrote:It is that way with Sketchup already. If you have 6.0 files and you open them in 8.0 the resulting files will no longer function in 6.0. Sketchup warns you when that is about to happen. If you, for some reason, want to retain 6.0 functionality - don't use 8.0 with those files.

I haven't downloaded the free 2013 Version of Sketchup because I am fearful that if I become familiar with that I'll no longer be satisfied with 8.0 and I cannot afford to purchase Sketchup Pro 2013.

Could one not copy older version files to a different folder/device and retain backwards compatibility that way. It would not include any 'changes ' made with the new version though.

So I guess I'm a bit confused... yes, nothing new

I thought that Sketchup Make was the new "free" version. That 2013 was more or less a transition out of 8 and into pay to play.

I have downloaded, but not installed the "Make" version and had no intention to upgrade" to the 2013 edition.

Until I know more, I'll just misuse version 8.

[quote="JPG40504"]I 'prefer' pencil and paper(old habits die hard), but, much can be said for the elimination of 'drafting errors' with sketchup(or whatever).

When you give something a dimension, sketchup draws it correctly and positions it correctly.

It is not influenced by preconceived notions(errors).]

I think the drafting errors are an advantage, I own the screw up and learn not to do that again.

[quote="JPG40504"]So enlighten us on TCad. Google likes IEEE or municipal tax stuff??????

Please!]

Oops. In a half-hearted effort to not advertise a particular product I "genericized" (is that a word?) the name.
Program is TurboCad, and I've mentioned it, perhaps en passant, on occasion.

I believe it is on a level with Auto Cad (tho I know zilch about that program itself). Compatible with many or most other cad progs, at least insofar as it will Import or Export many brand-specific formats. Ex.: Open or Save As Sketchup drawing. Like, I can open someone's .skp file in TC, do whatever with it, then save as .skp or .tcw etc.


Not at all uniquely they offer their various products (IMSI Design) in trial versions for free. I think the most popular are TurboCad, DesignCad and Turbo Floor Plan 3D. There are some short video demos on the web site.

There are many similarities between TC and Sketchup, so generally speaking if one can run one he can run the other.

There are also tons of tutorials, either free, low cost or high cost. Of course the Tuts use TC progs, but much of the information is common to Cad, useful for learning 2D or (esp.) 3D Cad.

Aside: I do have some old versions of IMSIDesign progs to do with as I please...

dusty wrote:It is that way with Sketchup already. If you have 6.0 files and you open them in 8.0 the resulting files will no longer function in 6.0. Sketchup warns you when that is about to happen. If you, for some reason, want to retain 6.0 functionality - don't use 8.0 with those files.
....

Yeah, and I just noticed that when I open a .skp file and go to Save As it will axe me which ver to save to- 3,4,5 or 6 (since I am still on V7). So you can maintain an old file as an older version, conveniently.

keakap wrote:Oops. In a half-hearted effort to not advertise a particular product I "genericized" (is that a word?) the name.
Program is TurboCad, and I've mentioned it, perhaps en passant, on occasion.

I believe it is on a level with Auto Cad (tho I know zilch about that program itself). Compatible with many or most other cad progs, at least insofar as it will Import or Export many brand-specific formats. Ex.: Open or Save As Sketchup drawing. Like, I can open someone's .skp file in TC, do whatever with it, then save as .skp or .tcw etc.


Not at all uniquely they offer their various products (IMSI Design) in trial versions for free. I think the most popular are TurboCad, DesignCad and Turbo Floor Plan 3D. There are some short video demos on the web site.

There are many similarities between TC and Sketchup, so generally speaking if one can run one he can run the other.

There are also tons of tutorials, either free, low cost or high cost. Of course the Tuts use TC progs, but much of the information is common to Cad, useful for learning 2D or (esp.) 3D Cad.

Aside: I do have some old versions of IMSIDesign progs to do with as I please...

Personally, I stick to .dwg files. Industry standard, so most programs are going to have to at least provide a converter to their own format if they want to be relevant. Plus if you ever get into CNC, either DIY or sending off to a shop, you'll want a .dwg file. Proprietary file formats are fine until that program goes away.

If you guys want to know what all is out their for fee, google "Open Design Alliance."

keakap wrote:... There are some short video demos on the web site.

There are many similarities between TC and Sketchup, so generally speaking if one can run one he can run the other.

There are also tons of tutorials, either free, low cost or high cost. Of course the Tuts use TC progs, but much of the information is common to Cad, useful for learning 2D or (esp.) 3D Cad...
Aside: I do have some old versions of IMSIDesign progs to do with as I please...

Just ruminating on the training available for the 2 programs. Various versions of TurboCad came with User Manuals, ~600 to ~800 pages- Printed! And these are just User Manuals, part of the package, separate from the other "How To" manuals, built-in help, and 2D/3D Tutorial packages sold.
As for sketchup, I don't have enough PCs and monitors to have a help file up on one and a work file on another, and bouncing 2 or 3 files/programs on one was a pain.
So I bought (on sale, of course) a DVD called Sketchup for Woodworking, starring a guy from Popular Woodworking mag, Robert Lang. Well, I tried, and I tried and I tried, but I just could not get beyond worrying if at some point I was going to toss my cookies on my keybaord, 'cause RL turned out to be one of those people who make those noises during pauses- hard to describe but I've heard 'em called "teeth-sucking noises"- absolutely disgusting, revolting, yuk to da max, and it would completely destroy whatever concentration I had been able to muster.
So I tried the available How-To stuff I could find on Sketchup, but didn't do too well. Don't know why- maybe Lang-hang over phobia, I dunno.

And I just looked and found that I didn't actually get around to throwing the DVD out, so if anyone wants it you can have it for postage.