What cool thing have you done with AutoCAD that is non-industry

[bruce.jones542083]

[quote=3dway;1051900]I'm teaching an AutoCAD class at the local community college, and I am interested in hearing stories, or seeing examples that I can present to my class, on cool things that YOU have done with AutoCAD that are non-indus

I am currently designing a dome to live in at the upcoming Burning Man event (NV). I layed out the 2P design and didn't like the bolt thru solution. I used Inventor to design cast parts to join the ends of the tubing (see attached). Then I wnet back to AutoCAD and tried a couple of alternative designs, one with decreasing concentric circles, and another inspired by the awnings over my local Goodwill Center (my biggest anual tax deduction center .

The joiner pieces shown are a first-blush design and when I asembled them in Inventor I found that the angle I had been given was incorrect. I returned to AutoCAD to layout the polygon and got the correct angle there. I am now redesigning the 4-5 & 6-way pieces. I will have one prototype built of each, without the holes drilled-out then make a 2-part soft mold, casting resin the required number of pieces (plus a few extras) hand drill the lot and test it again irl.

To have made these parts based on the bad data I found on the web, then found the error at assembly, would have cost me over $500 in scrapped parts and weeks of lost time.

CAD file and images attached.

Bruce

[3dway]

Very interesting.
I don't think that Burning Man is something that most are familliar with.
I've only seen it, or heard of it mentioned in a couple of you tube videos.
I'm sure it's a lifestyle for the participants, but to the rest of us, it's a subculture.

[bruce.jones542083]

Very interesting.
I don't think that Burning Man is something that most are familliar with.
I've only seen it, or heard of it mentioned in a couple of you tube videos.
I'm sure it's a lifestyle for the participants, but to the rest of us, it's a subculture.

Burning Man a Sub-culture, absolutely, and not for everyone.

Actually it was the dome I was primarily interested in opening discussion about, I may build my prototype in my yard and use it as a greenhouse I have long needed, but not gotten to. I am rebuilding the Inventor model now with a door, a rather odd addition to the design since its strength is dependant on equal distribution of the load and a doorway represents a weak area.

[3dway]

One more bump.
It's a Friday. I expect telling a story about your cool AutoCAD project will be more fun that scheduling those doors.

[Railrose]

I'm considering scanning a bunch of my dress patterns so I can make it easier to modify them. For now, I seldom have time to sew, much less tweak patterns, but if work gets messed up I might get to play.

[Mamma Jamma]

I'm considering scanning a bunch of my dress patterns so I can make it easier to modify them. For now, I seldom have time to sew, much less tweak patterns, but if work gets messed up I might get to play.

Unique Patterns (http://www.uniquepatterns.com/) uses AutoCAD to make their custom-fit patterns. (as far as I know - it's been a while since I purchased one) They come on plotter paper, which makes making a copy with a scanner a breeze - unlike the flimsy tissue paper most other patterns are printed on.

[3dway]

Just for kicks I'm going to bump this again. See what we get this time.

[Brian C]

I am a stamp collector, and I use AutoCAD to design my album pages.

[3dway]

Replies have been decreasing each bump. But I'll do it again, until we stop getting replies.

[limartin]

I've used it to digitize an image I want to scale up for a pounce to start a mural with. I print the image as large as I want it, poke holes in the paper with a pounce wheel and rub charcoal dust through to transfer it to the wall. Gives a light outline to start the base drawing with.

I've also driven each contractor I've hired batty with very detailed and dimensioned plans and elevations of what I expect to see in each bathroom renovation and patio installation for my house.

Better living through CAD!