what software do you use ?

[deester]

I just wanted to know what software do you use to design your knifes so I could take the file and steel to someplace to have them cut out with a water jet thanks for any info

 

[Brian Avila]

I would take this with a grain of salt but from what I can tell some of the people use CAD.

 

[deker]

There are many CAD packages you can use, but many of them cost a lot of $$. For something free to get you started, take a look at Google Sketchup.

I can tell you one thing though. Most waterjet/laser shops won't be able to work with something as small as a file. In my research they generally want something about 12"x12", though some can work with something as small as 4"x12".

-d

 

[Railrider1920]

if you already have someplace in mind to do the water jetting, why not call them and ask them what software you can download that will work with their shop? that way you will know it will work with their tools and won't have to download something else, reinstall it and draw it up again if the first program doesn't work.

 

[Carl_First_Timer]

Whatever you use make the file in a .DXF or .IGES Format, and any shop will be able to import the file.

 

[Railrider1920]

I was reading some old threads and found this one:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=809003

 

[delbert ealy]

I use wetware running HU-MAN


Del

 

[james terrio]

Most waterjet/laser shops won't be able to work with something as small as a file.

I think the OP meant a CAD file, not a Nicholson file.

Great Lakes Waterjet will do the work from a drawing on paper. From their website:

•No set-up fee.
•No minimum or maximum parts limit, but there is a $100.00 minimum per order.
•No charge for CAD design. I can work from a template, pictures, drawings or just about anything else.
•You may submit your own CAD files.
•I do stock some materials. You are always welcome to ship your own materials or have materials drop-shipped to us. Most steel supply houses have our shipping info. Drop-shipped materials is preferred.

 

[Prophet118]

You can go here:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_in/products/velocity/solidedge/forms/solid_edge_free_2d_2.cfm

This is the free 2D version of Solid Edge. It's pretty easy to use if you run through the tutorials. I've been a graphic designer for 12 years and I use Corel Draw X5 to do my designs. I also worked as a CNC Programmer for 3 years and used AutoCad and SolidWorks. Though this free 2D version of Solid Edge isn't even close to being as good as AutoCad, you can do simple 2D designs, such as knife blanks, and save the designs to a .dxf file.

 

[Leading Edge Fab]

I just wanted to know what software do you use to design your knifes so I could take the file and steel to someplace to have them cut out with a water jet thanks for any info

deester,

Unless you have experience using a cad software what I've found is you're better off spending a little time developing a decent pattern from durable material and sending it off to the waterjet shop. The cad drawings we see from beginners are full of incomplete lines, overlapping lines and segmented arcs. The extra clean up you've created for the waterjet source could be spent making blanks instead of editing a rough cad file. This way who ever does the waterjet work can develop a clean drawing thru their workflow process. The bonus is you both save your time on the project and you can concentrate on finishing your knives.

Regards,

H2Oknife

 

[deester]

it was all very useful info, thank you for the time
the main thing I took from this is I am getting ahead of myself I need to crawl before I try to walk

 

[lonepine]

I seem to only use graphics programs AFTER the design process. Designing new patterns is done in two ways. The first is the good old pencil and paper making sketches full size. Then a cardboard copy is made to see how it feels in the hand.

The second way is with cardboard (cereal boxes mainly) and scissors where I "draw" (cut out) the design on the cardboard with the scissors. This may be traced to paper and played with there, and then back to a cardboard outline to check its ergonomics and feel.

Regardless of what I end up with, a sketch or cardboard template, I scan them and convert them to a simple black and white drawing (GIF file). I'm embarrassed to admit that much of this is done using MS Paint. I have photoshop and Illustrator but other than enhancing the original scan with photoshop I don't use it for designing. I do use it for touching up pictures of finished knives.

LonePine
Alias Paul Meske, Wisconsin

 

[Prophet118]

deester,

Unless you have experience using a cad software what I've found is you're better off spending a little time developing a decent pattern from durable material and sending it off to the waterjet shop. The cad drawings we see from beginners are full of incomplete lines, overlapping lines and segmented arcs. The extra clean up you've created for the waterjet source could be spent making blanks instead of editing a rough cad file. This way who ever does the waterjet work can develop a clean drawing thru their workflow process. The bonus is you both save your time on the project and you can concentrate on finishing your knives.

Regards,

H2Oknife

This is so very true.

 

[the jerm]

Great lakes water jet is awesome! Check out Davids website and you can send him a drawing and he will do the cad drawing free of charge. I just had some blanks cut for the first time and they look great!

 

[rickmenefee]

I had h20 cut some utility fixed blades for me and he didnt charge me any set up fee's.