I have been using CMS Intellicad for some years. I started with Autocad 
V2.17, and the Intellicad is very close to Autocad, including same 
drawing formats, commands, etc.
http://intellicadms.com/site/products.html

If you want solids, you will want to consider the Pro version @ $239.95
One of the neat things I like, is import a raster file (think JPG, and 
many others), scale it to real dimensions, then draw on top of it. For 
circuit drawings, I screen grab or scan a pin out of a chip with labels, 
and draw the circuit to the pins. Support isn't the greatest, but online 
help is good, and there are several forms. There are other vendors in 
addition to CMS, but I have been with them for maybe 10 years.

If you are familiar with Autocad, you will be up to speed quickly. If 
not, just like a lot of things with many features that make life easy, 
there will be a learning curve. Many times local schools offer autocad 
classes, would be well worth while, and then there are on line, might 
try googling Autocad or ACAD tutorial.

On 3/31/2010 4:51 PM, Forrest W Christian wrote:
> I'm again trying to get to the point of being able to produce some
> decent product drawings for manuals and the like....
>
> I'd really like to be able to import/use the 2D/3D cad drawings
> available from most of my suppliers in either .dwg, .dxf or .pdf to
> produce a 'real' line or possibly 3d-shaded drawings of the products,
> and then be able to show wiring options.
>
> Of course, I'd love to just buy a copy of soldworks, but I have a hard
> time justifying the estimated $4K price tag for the product.  So I'm
> looking for something not nearly as expensive.   I'm ok with spending
> money on the right tool for the job, assuming it will really work for
> me.   I've downloaded and tried several, but they all seem to come with
> their own set of issues, and not nearly enough functionality and/or ease
> of use to make them worthwhile.
>
> So, my question is, what tools should I be looking at to do these type
> of product diagrams?
>
> -forrest
>
>
>    
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