Cad computer case design tips?

[Guest]

Hey folks. 

I've recently started to plan/think about how I would create my own chassis out of wood. Of course, this requires some planning, and for that I was thinking of using a program like AutoCad.

The problem? I have no freaking clue how to use AutoCad. With the aid of a YT tutorial, it's taken me about 15 mins to make a rectangular 3D box.

Does anyone have some tips for me (about AutoCad), and possibly know of any good tutorial I could check out?

 

[W-L]

Just now, ImadKnight said:

Hey folks. 

I've recently started to plan/think about how I would create my own chassis out of wood. Of course, this requires some planning, and for that I was thinking of using a program like AutoCad.

The problem? I have no freaking clue how to use AutoCad. With the aid of a YT tutorial, it's taken me about 15 mins to make a rectangular 3D box.

Does anyone have some tips for me (about AutoCad), and possibly know of any good tutorial I could check out?

 

I would suggest solidworks over it since you are most likely going to be working with sheet metal design which is really good on solidworks. You can do it using autocad but it's qualities as a 3D design program are a little more tricky I find. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, W-L said:

I would suggest solidworks over it since you are most likely going to be working with sheet metal design which is really good on solidworks. You can do it using autocad but it's qualities as a 3D design program are a little more tricky I find. 

Thanks. Is there a free version of Solidworks, cause I can't find any?

[W-L]

1 minute ago, ImadKnight said:

Thanks. Is there a free version of Solidworks, cause I can't find any?

If you have a school email they allow you to have a free trial of the software, the sheet metal portion is a little hard to grasp at first so I would suggest to start off with some simple 3D modeling first. 

[W-L]

Also I should mention if you just want a very simple 3D design software that is fairly easy to use google sketchup is a good option. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, W-L said:

Also I should mention if you just want a very simple 3D design software that is fairly easy to use google sketchup is a good option. 

Then I think I'll go for Sketchup. Realy, the only thing I need is a rough mockup so that I know what the case would look like, and what size it should be. If Sketchup becomes too simple, then Il move on to AutoCad (can't find the free trial of Solidworks). 

[W-L]

4 minutes ago, ImadKnight said:

Then I think I'll go for Sketchup. Realy, the only thing I need is a rough mockup so that I know what the case would look like, and what size it should be. If Sketchup becomes too simple, then Il move on to AutoCad (can't find the free trial of Solidworks). 

Oh I believe the student edition has a cost to it now for a 12 month use, you can see if your school provides that as an optional software license or if you want to try the 60 day trial. 

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/purchase/educator-evaulation-request.htm

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, W-L said:

Oh I believe the student edition has a cost to it now for a 12 month use, you can see if your school provides that as an optional software license or if you want to try the 60 day trial. 

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/purchase/educator-evaulation-request.htm

Honestly, can't be bothered with the giant hassle, and I'm positive my school does have a subscription. Thanks anyway! (I've also found that AutoDesk has a 3D 'inventor' program that comes 3 years free for students, so I'm going to try that out too). 

[Lalit Kumar]

Why not SketchUp ? It's not bad for case designing. Since you  have no experience and it's fairly easy to master Sketch-up.