Hey All,

I'm just back from a SolidWorks users meeting - maybe my last.

A SolidWorks vender was there and someone asked why old SolidWorks files
can't be read by SW2004.  The vendor began with a bunch of spin about

added

value and new features not compatible and yadda, yadda, yadda.  When he

said

"ALL" software publishers do it, I broke in saying, "I know of some that
don't."

"Name one," he said.

"I'll name two, VisualCADD and Rhino 3-D."

Good grief, by the expression on his face you'd think I'd said his mother
was giving away free sex out in the parking lot.

I wonder if I'll be notified of the next meeting?

David Lee

-> Harley wrote:

Paul..

Thought this might interest you...as well as anyone considering whether

to use Rhino...received it this morning from the VCADD group I subscribe to.

Harley

Rhino sure is a revelation. It can make ACAD files backward AND
forward  compatible. Something that ACAD itself can not do. Not only
that it can export and import from Solid Works. Solid Works is a
cruel joke when it comes to user friendly. Gives new meaning to the
term "Hostile User Interface" :)

Since I took a tip from Perry on using the screen capture trick to
import Rhino 2D's (traditional drawings) into MS Paint and then
export them as jpg's there is now no reason to use ACAD at all. One
can also make 2D's directly from Rhino.

Here is a recent 2D example for the new Schertz beam that fits
between the motor plate and the engine Jerry mentioned. The
advantage is 1.5 inches more clearance under the flywheel to get 25%
more air to a bottom mounted rad.

The 3D is included for better clarity.

Paul Lamar

Harley, is VisualCADD 3D now? I've used a version from around 1995 for years
now because it was available at work. Until recently it was the only CAD
program I knew how to use. A few months ago I started using IntelliCAD 2000
3D because it was available for free on the internet. It can read my old
VisualCADD drawings after I save them as DXF. Then I redraw to 3D DWG
format. Then I open the 3D DWG in Rhino Evaluation for rendering and screen
capture. Rhino Evaluation will work indefinitely as long as you don't save,
so I don't actually draw anything in Rhino. Cheap way to go if you don't
like buying software.

Here is the latest on my new oilpan/Schertz beam. I've raised some of the
lower tubes, which now intersect the oil pan - so now it's redesign the oil
pan. 3D is clearly the way to go, as Paul says.

Perry

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