Designing bows!

[Apex Predator]

I really need to buy a program that allows me to design stuff on the computer.  Drawing curves and arcs, and such.  Something mainly for new bow designs, but also for some mech drawing stuff.  I'm about to apply for a patent, and would like some good drawings.  What are my options, without breaking the bank.

[TNstickn]

Marty, try "Google sketchup" it will give you a great starting pt for FREE. It is equal to several basic cad programs costing in the low hundreds, and equal to a couple costing close to a grand. You will be able to learn the features and if it lacks something you need. I love it.

[Apex Predator]

Thanks buddy!

[TheFatboy]

Isn't there a program called 'Inventor'?

[Allen Ziebarth]

There is one called "supertiller"
I haven't used it yet, so I don't know what it will do.

Pm me.

[Apex Predator]

Well I checked out a couple of programs and they aren't very user friendly for me!     I just need to be able to draw something like this.  Of course the ability to manipulate the curves and length of lines is a necessity.  I appreciate the input!

 

[wharvey]

While the Google tools is dang good for free and I like it, for what you want I suspect you will be better off with a real CAD program. SketchUp is a bitmap based program, at least the free version, while CAD software is vector based which means you can zoom to your hearts continent and keep all detail. (Put a cartoon image on your bow drawing that retains all detail yet only looks like a dot when printed such as above.

Two relative cheap ones are AutoSketch and TurboCad. Of the two I like AutoSketch the best but it is more expensive. (I guess they are both still available but I haven't checked in years.)

You can sometimes get earlier versions for a big $$ savings.

[tim-flood]

I use Design Cad you can buy it from the auction site pretty cheap. works great IMHO
And is easy to use

[HalfRack]

CAD can be a handy tool for bow design, that's for sure.  If your serious enough to spend the dough to use it for patents, don't go half arsed, either hire someone to draw it right for you or take a class and learn it.  I'm in the 3D CAD and it's much better than 2D but licenses are over $3000 each.  

Best of luck.

-Mike

[wihill]

Definitely go with a Vector based drawing system, Marty.  The ability to scale the drawing is a wonderful tool that you lose with a mapped image.

Autodesk products are pricey, but fantastic.

[ocd]

look at deltacad. very good 2d drawing packing for $39.00.

[AllenR]

The sketch above is very easy in Autocad LT that I use at work.  It would take me less than 20 minutes to draw that full size.

While I frequently use Autocad, I'm not a "power user" by any means.  Less than 5% of my job involves drafting.

I think that Autosketch is a limited version of Autocad LT which is a scaled down version of Autocad.  

The key is not so much which program you are using, but in your ability to use it.  If I tried to use Turbocad or one of the others, I would almost be a beginner again.

If you get a cad program, be sure you can also get classes in that program.

[Bowferd]

Hello Marty, I'm still alive and kickin.
Just wanted to say hello.
Hope all is well.
Bowferd

[Apex Predator]

Good to see you posting again Fredrick!  I sent you a PM.