A little helpful plugin for those running AutoCad.
DWGGateway, a free plugin by Solidworks will allow and AutoCad user V14 and above open and current to old release of drawings and back save them as well. It runs from the Menu in Autocad. You can thank LEKO in Ohio. He found this plug in a few years ago and makes the Release 14 of AutoCad still useful in opening newer files. |
Hope I get this right... never played with message forums before.
Guy's I am new to MM forum, but I must comment on the cad conversion prog you shared, fantastic solution to big problem we have at work. What a team!! |
Andy,
That was my enterprise solution to make the V14 autocad and above licenses usable in todays "upgrade" for thousands of dollars per software seat. I can't tell you how much money I have saved by using my old software. Heck, it works - why replace it? |
AutoDesk also is offering TrueView and TrueConvert for free. TrueConvert basically lets you change AutoCad files between versions. TrueView will let you look at and zoom & rotate 3D and turn layers on & off in a whole array of AutoDesk products (Max, Maya, Microvellum...) and maybe (I can't remember, it's on my laptop and I can't check right now) I recall being able to look at some other types as well .stp files I believe.
So, there is another avenue although I'm sure one or the other (or both) will likely go away sometime. AutoDesk isn't known for their generosity, quite the contrary. They go after software hackers & pirates like fiends.:eek: |
Another option...
Google has a free program called Sketchup.
It might be able to be converted into GCODE. Also EMC2 has a free program. http://www.linuxcnc.org/content/view/2/4/lang,en/ |
The free version of Sketchup does not export anything except google earth format (.kmz)
You have to pay $495us to have other export options which include .dxf |
Sorry
My mistake I have the educational version. ( I teach at a public high school )
It allows to import/export. |
I don't know why schools allow heavily discounted / free software to be taught to students who will be obliged to pay the full price in later life. It's like giving free drugs to kids to get them hooked.
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Gearld,
I don't think that the schools think that far in the future. They are only thinking that they are making available software that will allow the students to learn how to use it. It is the same on the University level here also. |
G, I'm pretty sure you answered your own question. Getting them hooked is exactly the point.
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Yes, but why do schools allow it? Shouldn't schools be more fussy about the software they accept as "gifts"? Priority one should be to make sure that the particular software is the market leader in the local job market.
Many times when I have tried to hire staff and looked at the candidate's CVs, their "exotic" software experience was traceable to a freebie that their school or college used. |
Gerald,
Not all companies are going to participate. Also, new software comes out and how do you know which software is going to be the best at the end of 4 years or any time. I am sure the schools are getting lots of free stuff by offering to have the manufacture provide educational versions. |
One thing which has bothered me over the years is that taxpayers are having to support the companies learning curves... some which are quite high... mostly due to the freebees and name recognition. I would submit that if teachers did not get discounts for many of these products, they would be using many more open source programs in the classroom...
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programs like The big Solid Works, have a much cheaper version for students and teachers.
Logically, it is more costly for businesses, productivity-utility ratio. It is important to learn the best programs available on the market, and others, if there is time. The question is: How to become a program, so big and good? |
IBM and Apple and other companies have done it for years. Let kids be trained on their hardware/software, as they grow up to be 'managers' or 'purchasers' they are more likely to specify what they know, than 'the same old answer' that their predecessor did!
My son learned SolidWorks and MathLab in college. Went to work for an engineering firm, use these tools (they already had them) and solved a problem the firm expected would 'keep him busy all summer' in 3 days. Helped them remember why they bought the products, and why they possibly should have gone to those vendor training classes :( that they were 'too busy' to go to. |
Companies provide their software, which costs them millions of dollars to develop to schools at a discounted rate. This is a win-win. The schools and students get to use world class software for a very reasonable fee (a fee by the way, that would not support the development of it) and the companies hopefully attract future users of the software.
The "drug dealer" analogy, while I understand the intent of the comparison, is inappropriate. Students do not get addicted to something that will destroy their lives. They merely get exposed to a product that they may, or may not choose to use in their professional career. |
The earlier you can hook them the better it is . The same apply for cad cam and cnc machine. Many cnc mfr included (FREE):rolleyes:cad cam sw, valued so much when you buy the machine ! This is another way to wedge themself up there.
Realy few people will ask for a rebate, instead they start with the (FREE) sw .Those new comer after short time start claiming that it is the best cad cam in the world .Even if it is the only one they know. That is marketing that is how you get people addicted |
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