CAD/CAM software for a beginner

Thanks for the link Patrice - I've played around with Inkscape, but am NOT good at it. I've spent so many years working with AutoCAD it just seems hard for me to learn other programs. I've got to get back to Inkscape work some - using your tutorial will help.

Ken H>
 
Hope it helps Ken. I'll make an update in a few weeks with tips for better layout and measurements, especially for folders and such. Don't hesitate to email me if you have questions.
 
Actually, I didn't think AutoCAD/DraftSight have particularly steep learning curve, and for basic 2D modeling one needs only few commands to do a good job. The trouble with them is they have never been 'proper engineering' tools (they are not 'constraint driven', for lack of better word, so any changes to existing model are almost painful and unwieldly). Modern CAD programs are much more appropriate and offer much more versatility and flexibility- but are rarely neccessary except for professionals (I found Catia and pro/Engineer to be the most powerful and versatile among them).
 
Ken H> said:
For 3D modeling of knifes that go to a CNC mill, AutoCAD Fusion 360 seems like it might be the trick
Click to expand...

Played with 360 last night for 30 minutes. I got farther with it than I had Sketchup and 123D. It lacks the command line interface of AutoCAD, without that 2D drawing is kind of doomed to be tedious and frustrating. But it works. And once you've got a 3D model of something then you can generate a 2D drawing and place dimensions -- very important, and missing from most CAD tools.
 
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