Summersnow
08-20-2008, 07:51 AM
CADintosh is a shareware CAD program for the Mac, registration is $30, sorry I didn't keep the URL.
CADintosh is quite simple to use once you stop expecting it to behave like most other programs. For example, to copy a line you do not use the copy command found on the edit menu, you use the move command found on the tools palette and specify the number of copies you want. Initially this is awkward, but it allows you to make multiple copies of a line, a specified interval apart, and parallel to each other.
The program supports both english and metric units, so I've been working in english units. My next project I will try in metric. With english units both decimals and fractions can be used when representing inches; for example, 1.5 inches or 1 1/2 inches. However, I've been using the fractional representation and it is somewhat flakey. To change the characteristics of an element (a line or a curve) you access an attribute page. If using fractional inches and you must convert all of the fraction inches to decimal on the page; otherwise, when you apply your changes the line will move in ways you did not expect and if it is a spline, it will become a very curvy spline. I believe this occurs because the inch measures on the attributes page are interpreted as feet. One other "klunky" issue is entering endpoints by hand for setting a line on the drawing. If you want to set the beginning of a line 1' 3 1/2" along the x-axis and 1/2" up the y-axis the coordinates are entered as follows: 1+3.5/12,.5/12 . Note the lack of spaces, the additions, and the divisions by 12. This is not problematic once you are accustomed to it, but it is not necessarily intuitive.
Now bear in mind I am still a novice user (only used it for about a week) of this program and some of my issues may disappear with more experience. Still, it is fairly easy to use.
Rob
PS: if this doesn't belong in the design forum let me know and I will refrain in the future.
CADintosh is quite simple to use once you stop expecting it to behave like most other programs. For example, to copy a line you do not use the copy command found on the edit menu, you use the move command found on the tools palette and specify the number of copies you want. Initially this is awkward, but it allows you to make multiple copies of a line, a specified interval apart, and parallel to each other.
The program supports both english and metric units, so I've been working in english units. My next project I will try in metric. With english units both decimals and fractions can be used when representing inches; for example, 1.5 inches or 1 1/2 inches. However, I've been using the fractional representation and it is somewhat flakey. To change the characteristics of an element (a line or a curve) you access an attribute page. If using fractional inches and you must convert all of the fraction inches to decimal on the page; otherwise, when you apply your changes the line will move in ways you did not expect and if it is a spline, it will become a very curvy spline. I believe this occurs because the inch measures on the attributes page are interpreted as feet. One other "klunky" issue is entering endpoints by hand for setting a line on the drawing. If you want to set the beginning of a line 1' 3 1/2" along the x-axis and 1/2" up the y-axis the coordinates are entered as follows: 1+3.5/12,.5/12 . Note the lack of spaces, the additions, and the divisions by 12. This is not problematic once you are accustomed to it, but it is not necessarily intuitive.
Now bear in mind I am still a novice user (only used it for about a week) of this program and some of my issues may disappear with more experience. Still, it is fairly easy to use.
Rob
PS: if this doesn't belong in the design forum let me know and I will refrain in the future.