CAD - Need some help..

[bigsweede]

Hi !
Starting a Build of General Aviation Pit and want to use the CAD file for Cessna 172 that i found at download section.
I'm a total tripple-thumb when i comes to CAD.
Is there any simple CAD program that i can use to modify that CAD-Drawing ?
Or a simple drawing application that can convert to DWG or DXF format ?
Downloaded trail versions of the biggest, eg AutoCAD but that will take me weeks to learn...
Any clues ? :?

BR

Stefan

[Ronson2k9]

By modify the drawing you wish to make a new DWG file of the Cessna 172 DWG file or do you just want a different graphic image of the Cessna 172 panel?

The easy way would be to take say a png version of the drawing and change it as you see fit graphically (non cad). Using a paint program. Paint.net or Gimp or something along those lines. PNG files don't have any loss to them when you save or edit. So unlike a JPG that compresses it PNG is a lossless compression. Also when you are done it's easy to take to a graphics shop to get it printed for you if you want a printout of it? As they can work with many formats. DWG while it's basic in the Cad world is not very graphic house friendly. So you would need a large format printer and or take it to a blueprinting house to get it printed for you.

I've used Paint.net (http://www.getpaint.net/) for all my panel work for the greatest extent. Gimp offers some other features that you can use for doing the 'Graphics' (placarding and color) but paint.net is one of the easiest to use. For me anyway.

If that sounds like a plan to you. Shoot me your email address in a PM and I'll send you a PNG version of the Cessna 172 panel drawing and you can get started.

PS: What make of aircraft is your GA pit replicating?

Cheers
Ron

[bigsweede]

Hi !

Propably C172 or C182.
I would like to modify the dwg-file and i will get the panel water-cut from aluminium and the prefeer a CAD-file to work with.

BR

Stefan

[Ronson2k9]

Ok CNC work.

I would try this one DraftSight 2D/3D Cad (http://www.javelin-tech.com/main/download/draftsight_dwg_2d_cad_software.htm). Requires free registration but will load and save DWG/DFX files. I use blender for all my 3D stuff but it's not a good cad. It's more of a design suite. So no schematic work in blender.

[bigsweede]

Ok Thanx !
I'll try DraftSight out !

[mrmaster]

if you're a student you can get AutoCad for free ;D

[nax228]

DoubleCAD have a good free version, but it's still an advanced CAD program. You get 30 days PRO trail.
Sketchup can handle dwg format and is a much much simpler program to handle and get the grips of.
It's free as well, and I can highly recomend it.