Re: Re: Re: more questions for a confused newbie :)

>Message: 20
> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 18:23:39 -0600
> From: Chris L <datac@...>
>Subject: Re: Re: more questions for a confused newbie :)
>
> I find that I am much better off drawing my parts in a Cad program and
>just use Vectors Cam portion. Of course, that's just me.............The
>reasons
>are twofold.
>

Now be honest, first is that you already knew another Cad program
that you had invested many years of learning into. ;-)

>The First is, I can keep an actual part drawing totally separate from the
>toolpath concept. Lets say I design a machine, I keep it all in a Cad

....

>The Second reason is this. I can't draw worth a darn in Vector. It may have
>some strong points and I am sure you can "Get there".

See the real reason for number one ;-)

>But, Bottom line is I can draw 10 times faster in Ashlar, or Autosketch. I
>can
>have 4 entities in place in the time it takes me to input the X1X2Y1Y2 and
>Z
>line information for ONE line in Vector.
>

I agree, and funny I never use that function, I don't recommend it
unless you absolutely have to. It is very nice however if you are
using an external program to auto feed data into Vector, but other
than that it is very slow.

Did you know that you can reset the angular rotation of the Vector
coordinate system just by dragging it onto a snap point?
Very seldom do I have to type in an angle, I just point the axis at
a snap point and draw a line aligned.

>I probably do not draw like most people. Often I do not know exacting
>locations
>of something. Take for example a holes center. I might not know, and
>generally
>don't have to where the center even is. All I need is a diameter and an
>edge or
>two. Draw a few offset lines and with the modern "Snap point"
>technologies.....

Most of which were in Vector in 1992! Try the line aligned for sketching
lines "about" where you want, don't worry too much about the ends, as
you will just trim them to the next line you sketch. This is very different
from most CAD systems. Except for John Stevenson who likes to draw
with cryptic numonic key codes on a DOS based system, Vector is very
good at guick "napkin" types of designs. Everything can be modified,
dragged around, stretched and scaled to fit whatever you want. (Hi John) ;-)

>I am done. No math to figure in my head, just flat out drawing. Add to
>that the
>built in math functions. (like a hole is: 2.45878 diameter. What's the
>radius ?
>who cares ! just type the diameter > then the \ (divide) key and 2. DONE)

Do that in Vector too, including PI for pi, trig, logs, sqrts, etc. in any
numeric data entry field

>
>The real beauty of Vector is its ability to ditch DXF "Dupes" and also its
>ability to "Reorganize" lines into toolpaths.
>

In other words "clean up the messes left behind by other CAD systems"? ;-)
Vector was designed to be used by machinists in shops where the design
department office is across town and they still had parts to make tonight.

>So if you are like me and already overly familiar with your present Cad
>package, I don't know that it is beneficial to learn Vectors drawing
>aspects.

This is a very notable statement. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
If you want to use a complex Cad-Cam system, even one as easy to learn
as Vector, it is going to take some time and study. The only people
who ever complain about learning Vector are those that already have a
CAD system of choice who are unwilling to learn another. Today someone
said "life is too short to have to learn 2 Cad systems". Too true! This is particularly
true if you have already learned another complex CAD system. You will have to
"unlearn" all the bad habits you learned in the other system to become
effective with Vector, or any other system for that matter. To you the
AutoCad, Vellum, Cadkey, etc expert, they are not bad habits, but..., if
you want to make good use of any tools you have to take the time to learn
them. Some things that are "good enough" when designing a mechanism,
will be a disaster when machining a part. This is true of end mills, CNC
machines, manual machines, turning tools, different materials, all the
different variables of making parts with the tools that we buy, barter,
inherit, or make.

Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService
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