DIY CAD program?

[OoohShiny]

Hey all

I am seriously struggling to find a setting that I think will meet my other half's hints that it shouldn't be 'sticky-out' and easily damage-able, so I have been trawling the interweb to find design cues that I could incorporate into a custom CAD design.

However, I'd like to have a go myself as I fear it is going to take several iterations to get to a good end result...

Are there any home-user CAD (or similar) programs? I have sketchup but I'm not that good at it lol

 

[Lorelei]

Hey all

I am seriously struggling to find a setting that I think will meet my other half's hints that it shouldn't be 'sticky-out' and easily damage-able, so I have been trawling the interweb to find design cues that I could incorporate into a custom CAD design.

However, I'd like to have a go myself as I fear it is going to take several iterations to get to a good end result...

Are there any home-user CAD (or similar) programs? I have sketchup but I'm not that good at it lol

Maybe Karl might know of one OoohSh, he might log in soon but if not, I will page him to see what he knows!

 

[Hera]

There aren't any user friendly CAD programs out there imo. Working in 2D (that's flat like blueprints) but when you move into 3d, it gets exponentially more difficult. I'm an advanced user of AutoCad and while I can make buildings in 3d, making rings is too difficult for me. I initially looked for a tutorial, but maybe I should look again....

 

[OoohShiny]

Thanks for the replies, both - I feared that 'no' was going to be the answer so I'm not overly surprised lol

CAD is not exactly a doddle to use at the best of times!


I will have to see if I can get sketchup to play ball...

 

[chrono]

A good CAD software is not inexpensive. It is also not intuitive to use and requires both proper training and experience. Then, there is the added "to scale" factor and just because one can draw it on CAD also doesn't mean that the design is structurally sound.

 

[OoohShiny]

A good CAD software is not inexpensive. It is also not intuitive to use and requires both proper training and experience. Then, there is the added "to scale" factor and just because one can draw it on CAD also doesn't mean that the design is structurally sound.

I have been wondering if the reason I can't find any 'lightweight' tension settings is because they don't have the required strength!

I guess the thing to do would be to work something up then ask someone who can make rings for their opinion on manufacturing. I'm not confident in my abilities, I have to say

 

[Lorelei]

A good CAD software is not inexpensive. It is also not intuitive to use and requires both proper training and experience. Then, there is the added "to scale" factor and just because one can draw it on CAD also doesn't mean that the design is structurally sound.

I have been wondering if the reason I can't find any 'lightweight' tension settings is because they don't have the required strength!

I guess the thing to do would be to work something up then ask someone who can make rings for their opinion on manufacturing. I'm not confident in my abilities, I have to say

That might be the best way Oosh, find a jeweller that does custom work who can bring your vision to reality, Chrono brings up a good point about any design being structurally sound so your idea above might be the best way to proceed.