DraftSight Hub Bub:

by Robert F Stoklosa-Applications Engineer, TriMech

I was recently tasked with presenting a webinar regarding the new DraftSight software application. For those that aren’t aware, the former 2D DWG Editor for SolidWorks was replaced with the DraftSight application recently. The webinar was a great opportunity for me to get acquainted with the ins and outs of the new software.

I have used AutoCAD since I was in 7th grade! It was my first experience with CAD (as for most of you I’m sure). I believe it was AutoCAD Release 9, the software that originally coined the term “Osnap” before the kids used it in mainstream conversation. Almost instantly I remember thinking that Computer Aided Design was going to be part of my life, SOMEHOW! I picked it up very quickly, almost as if it was prewired in my head. That feeling of comfort and confidence was the same thing I felt the first time I opened DraftSight. It was like an old friend. The interface was laid out very similar to AutoCAD. There was a button with a fire cracker on it (we all know what that is)….and a command line.

In my previous life, I worked for a national AutoDesk VAR. I was always shocked at the cost to purchase and maintain a seat of AutoCad. I mean, we are creating lines arcs and circles here!!

How much would you pay to do that?

How about Free!! The most amazing part of DraftSight is that it’s FREE!! I know, usually with free you have to sign up for some sort of credit card, or call a toll free number you saw on TV at some late hour. But this is truly legit! Check it out for yourself
http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/draftsight-overview/

In summary, I think this is going to be a great avenue for those users looking to get into 3D Modeling with SolidWorks, or for those users that are just trying to save some $$$ in a tough economy. 2D design will never go away and it definitely has its place in the design world, but 3D Parametric Modeling has now taken the place as the defacto standard engineering design tool.

My advice….Put your money in the future, not the past.