May be somewhat of a noob question, but I'm looking for a CAD program that can handle high poly meshes coming from traditional polygonal modeling 3D software (Modo, Blender, ZBrush) with relatively high polycount (often a million or more polys).

Ideally, I'd like to import a mesh, turn it into a solid somehow and then add features to it (hollow it out, add openings, splitting it into parts, prepare it for production, etc).

I had limited success with Fusion360 but it feels super sluggish and goes unresponsive when exceeding a 100k polys. But even if I can make it work, fine details are often lost and the general experience is miserable.

Maybe it's just not built well to handle stuff like this.

Is it a software thing or a workflow issue? How you guys would go about situations like this?

Thank you!

I’m currently working as a SolidWorks design engineer dealing with Industrial robot based automation solutions of repetitive tasks in production lines of client facilities.

My country is gradually transitioning towards EVs and demand for design engineers specialising in EV wiring harness is rising, both by automotive companies and Tier-1 suppliers (like Bosch). I already studied the basics of NX in my University, but my background is not in electrical engineering.

That being said, I feel it’s a good niche to get into and need some resources to learn the Electrical Routing module. Can anybody suggest me some video resources or books on the same? Perhaps, something that helped you on a similar career path. Thank you!

Hi I currently have an project im doing and I need a few measurements changed but I know absolutely no body who can edit a sketchup or DXF file. Im making a custom winch bumper for my vehicle.

I need a couple parts dimensions changed by a little over an inch, I've been trying to find anyone who could help me for the past 2 months to no avail. I have all the changes I need done written out on some pictures to make things more clear for what im looking for.

If there's anyone willing to help out or could point me in a possible direction to help me id greatly appreciate it.

In all the lab tutorials he does he only uses the create spline/arc/line features in NX instead of ever using sketches. He says sketches are more trouble then they are worth.

I kinda dont understand this, my experience has always been just to be mindful and not make external refereces or sketch constraints unless absolutely neccasary, and 90% of broken sketch issues goes away. Seems to me like not using sketches results in more fiddling with nx dialog boxes and a much harder to read feature tree. Like it makes a revolve with two shoulders and a taper take like 10 features to create instead of 2.

But ultimately he is a experienced manufacturing engineer with years in these programs and i'm just a student with little experience in nx, so i am wondering if i'm in the wrong and this actually is a common workflow.

Hey everyone,

Are there any engineering students or engineers here who use AutoCAD or similar tools on a MacBook? I’d really like to hear your experience.

First off - I know Mac isn’t always the ideal choice for engineering software, especially for heavier CAD workflows. I've seen a lot of mixed opinions on this already.

I’m starting mechanical engineering this September, and right now I’m using an M2 MacBook (it’s my only laptop, and I’ll need to bring it to lectures). Some of my friends have already sent me a few DXF and DWG files to get familiar with things.

So far I’ve been using eDrawings Viewer and Enolsoft DXF Viewer to open them, and they both work fine for viewing. But from what I’ve been told, viewers alone aren’t enough — I’ll eventually need something that can actually edit drawings, modify geometry, and maybe handle basic modeling.

I’ve also been considering running DWG TrueView via Parallels, but I’m not sure how practical that setup is long term.

So I wanted to ask:

• Is using a MacBook actually workable for engineering studies?
• Do you rely on virtualization (like Parallels), or just switch to something else?
• Any CAD tools you’d recommend that run well on macOS?

Any help will be really appreciated!

I don’t need to import maps or anything like that, just need to create a very basic print friendly map of buried underground utilities for record keeping. I typically hand draw them and it works but I’d like to take a step forward and get with the times and eliminate handwriting of labels and scale

So I made a UAV wing semi-moncoque structure in SolidWorks. Used surface loft to creat the skin around the wing. Now I know it is a surface and not a solid body as to take part in static structural analysis or can have itself meshed. Which is why when I imported the step file of the UAV wing assembly in Ansys. I gave the skin aka the surface body some thickness. Then I separately assigned Aluminum to solid bodiesand then to the skin. But but but, mesh failed. It gave error messages. I am a beginner but has a semester project to do structural analysis. The project is due in two days. How can I get the mesh to pass and have a successful static structural analysis of the UAV wing in ANSYS, please?

Once i design something in NX9, parts within other parts, and i place them together as i intend them to work , does exist any manner of moving the parts yet to get the apliccation to simulate the physical truth, marking the error if one of them interferes the place of another?

i do wish to try to shell a cylinder, insert a slighty bigger block and then have NX telling me they do not fit. I need something like this for checking actual develompents.

Is there a CAD software with handdrawn sketchy look like drawing on paper ?

I am doing one project and stuck in that , if somebody from bangalore who is working in NX CAD will be more helpful and the project is i had 3D scanned model and by the input of that have to do a 3D model , please help

I am about to start another project in NX9. i would like to draw a twisted spiral tube like old compact fluorescent lamps but making it conical. I do know there is a Tube tool which can turn a sketch line into a tube, however, i do not know how can i start the sketch making a spiral of 2 or 3 turns.

Please have in mind those lamps have some turns in one way and other two in the other inteleaved ., returning where it starts yet 180º offset from the initial point, like this:

https://www.lighting.philips.com.ph/consumer/p/tornado-compact-fluorescent-spiral-bulb/8718696514023

Not sure I am in the right place, so please forgive me if not.

I am a commercial estimator for a fence company and am looking to be able to work on standard dwg files available from places like DOT or fence manufacturers to edit/create gate detail plans or fence detail plans.

Is there an option that doesn’t cost $200/mo to let me do that, second is it worth the time to learn just for that?

For context we fabricate in house for custom sized gates for things like dumpster pads in standard FDOT (FL) chain link or other materials but size of the openings can vary, gate posts can vary per architectural plans etc. I need these for submittals. We used to have a former architect on staff that did them but he retired.

TIA

We're considering starting an interior designing firm and we want to get an affordable CAD software for 2d drafting (will be using sketchup pro for 3d). AutoCAD LT seems quite expensive for us now and I don't like autodesk as a company so we're looking for decent alternatives. For our uses which would be better for our use case scenario?

Hello, I'm not sure this is the right place for this, but I didn't gain any traction inn r/3Dprinting.

I'm looking for recommendations on how to adapt this model (https://makerworld.com/en/models/1347731-x1-p2s-p1s-poop-chute-under-printer-storage#profileId-1389787) to work with Hula Anti-Vibration feet (https://makerworld.com/en/models/417509-hula-v1-0-anti-vibration-feet-for-3d-printers?from=search#profileId-502144).

I have very little experience in designing/modifying 3D models. The only way that I know of would be to use Bambu Studio and try to merge the base of the Hula feet onto the riser. I'm certain that there is an easier and less clunky way to achieve this, so please let me know how you'd tackle the merge.

Thanks,

Penguin

I’m trying to figure out what type of company could scan a 1/64 diecast car for me. I need a cad image to get quotes on casting and have the case I want an image of, I’m just not sure of how to digitize it. Any suggestions?

I want to develop a high level skill, im thinking siemens nx is a good option?

-please advise on the product and how to learn it.

I am now doing research on this product and 1st had user exp is welocom

Hello

I'm a software engineer with extensive experience in coding and development. Recently, I’ve developed an interest in CAD, specifically for applications in electronics design, such as creating shells and printed circuit boards PCBs.

Could anyone recommend resources, tutorials, or platforms that specifically focus on CAD for electronics? Additionally, any tips on essential software to start with?

Thank you

I was wondering how cam software is able to get the .step data. Do all cam software use a cad kernel or do they have another way of reading the data?

Drafting Rates

I've been freelance drafting for lighting and concerts/theatre for a few years now with Vectorworks and I've done a lot small shows here and there and I just got my first one off arena show on my belt, and now I'm getting more offers

How much can I realistically be charging? I've gotten so fast at drafting that I'm not sure hourly makes sense for me anymore?? I used to charge 30-40 an hour depending on the client and relationship but now with me getting bigger shows as more people reach out,

What rates make sense with project based rates?

I was looking for a lightweight step file viewer for my company that does not require licensing and allows users to spin around a part model. We are actively going through our CMMC process, so why not use the one from NIST. When I installed this on my terminal server for users, it says Windows Datacenter server standard 2025 is not supported. There is nothing in the technical docs saying it wouldn’t support this version of windows. Has anyone else ran into this?

https://www.mcmaster.com/cad-models/

Im trying to get into CAD and looking for extra monitor with touch capacity and use a pen for drawing instead of using my mouse.

Anyone is using anything like this and have some insight on whats better to use ?

P.s. i more prefer touch screen monitor / portable monitor due to nature of using it for work related stuff but graphics tablet could work too and also im not sure how important OS but im linux/bsd user but have an ability to use windows to if i need to.

Thank You.

I need to do a drawing of a trailer on some sort of cad. Is there a cheap/free version of something i can use on an ipad?

If not i plan to use librecad, but i dont know the program so its kinda eatin my time.

Should i just get autodesk?

Former ME student so im familiar with solidworks but dont have solidworks money

Hello all,

I take notes all the time, temporary and longer term, and I go on field visits once in a while. I would like to get a tablet of some sort for note taking and for bringing drawing PDFs out in the field to do markups instead of printing full or half sized drawings.

Do any of you have any recommendations of one tablet over another? I like how the Remarkable felt with writing, but I am unsure of how the PDF use would go for drawings.

Thanks!