Hi Brad -
I am not an expert in art or much else that counts here, but I am in sheet metal flat layout and CAD. I have used many different cad programs and do this for my living. Having tried and failed at having my own business (I am NOT a salesman), I currently work for others. CAD is where I make my living now.
You will find that CAD, like many other things is a completely different and new thing to learn. If you start on something like this that you have not used before, plan on using a LOT of time to get proficient in it. THAT SAID, Rhino seems to be one of the easier ones to get used to. I use AutoCAD and SolidWorks every day at work and am very used to them, but have been doing this for over 20 years. Have also used about 20 other packages for lesser times and found most of them to have their own quirks.
If you do not use paper to get your ideas to the shop now, you probably wouldn't be better off with a cad program. If, however you do use paper, cad might just be the next logical step for you to try.
We have a couple guys here that use Rhino regularly and do a great job of it. Hopefully they will chime in here with some advice as well.
Rhino or not?
Hi Brad -
I am not an expert in art or much else that counts here, but I am in sheet metal flat layout and CAD. I have used many different cad programs and do this for my living. Having tried and failed at having my own business (I am NOT a salesman), I currently work for others. CAD is where I make my living now.
You will find that CAD, like many other things is a completely different and new thing to learn. If you start on something like this that you have not used before, plan on using a LOT of time to get proficient in it. THAT SAID, Rhino seems to be one of the easier ones to get used to. I use AutoCAD and SolidWorks every day at work and am very used to them, but have been doing this for over 20 years. Have also used about 20 other packages for lesser times and found most of them to have their own quirks.
If you do not use paper to get your ideas to the shop now, you probably wouldn't be better off with a cad program. If, however you do use paper, cad might just be the next logical step for you to try.
We have a couple guys here that use Rhino regularly and do a great job of it. Hopefully they will chime in here with some advice as well.
Rick Crawford at Smoky Forge