I use to use autoCAD and some off brand 3D modeling programs. I was wondering especially from the folks experienced with SoildWorks would Solid works be able to track actions such as twisting angle Iron. It would be useful when designing larger complex furnishings if some things could be built in cad and displayed to the potential customer and also testing physical stress points. I have never used SoildWorks or Inventor. I no longer have access to the CAD programs I use to use as they were provided by the company I worked for. Paying $5k for software wouldn't be worth doing a single $200 job but Would be worth it if it helped land multiple high hundred dollar jobs or thousand dollar jobs.
I know I have done some repair work on some other peoples work when CAD modeling might be have been useful. A table someone made wobbled due to a poor choice of design. Basically ended up creating large springs that allowed the table to title and spring. I was able to keep the heart of the design in the table but I took a lot of time drafting sketches to show the customer to see what she considered acceptable in the end. Then before I made the modifications to the table I built a model to test and make sure that the final design would fit all the requirements, primarily no shaking. If I had been able to do this in a cad like Solid works it might have saved me some time.
Also does anyone have any experience with FabCAD, or Rhinoceros NURBS?
