On Sat, Jun 04, 2005 at 06:38:16PM -0700, Alvin Oga wrote: > On Sat, Jun 04, 2005 at 09:21:29PM -0400, Stuart Brorson wrote: > > > Are there any free tools that are helpful in designing cases or > > > panels? I think I'm basically looking for something that will let me > > > lay out where a sheet of aluminum is going to have holes drilled or > > > punched in it, as well as being able to lay out the silkscreen > > > graphics. > > most sheet metal hops will only accept files from known software > ( ie.. autocad .. as good or bad as that may be ) > > if you give um "files" from random software they never seen/heard about, > they'll ask you to waive your rights .. that you pay for what they build, > even if the holes are wrong, bends, radii, material, etc, etc > > you're looking for "prototype shops" ... to help you build your parts > > your costs goes way up, if you use random hole sizes, random curves > and bends and punches > - for 1 bracket/panel.. you can start at $250 - $500 > and going updward, regardless of the number of holes > and bends as its just time to setup the equpment and paperwork > ( it's not much cheaper by going to any-small-town-usa either > ( or offshore for small quantities, ie under 100 pieces ) > > - most of the sheet metal shops use DXF file format, as they can > cust their costs and eliminate problems on their end, since *you* > provided the DXF file > > - free ( open source ) cad tools > http://linux-cae.net/CAD/
I am using qcad on Ronja: http://ronja.twibright.com/web.php On the page you can see links to the remaining tools used,too. CL<
