All, I use Solidworks. It isn't the cheapest package on the market, but it is a good value for the money. It will import and export to DXF and DWG formats as well as others. It is relatively easy to use, but=20 like any other package, there is a learning curve. =20 Depending on what you want done, I could possibly help you out some.=20 If you want to send me a sample of what you have, and tell me what you want done, I could make the changes and send it back to you for your approval. =20 =20 If you want to try this, let me know. Otherwise, no hard feelings. =20 Regards, Jim > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [EE] Mechanical Designer Question > From: Carl Denk > Date: Wed, March 09, 2011 2:47 pm > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." >=20 >=20 > The main message is, compatibility with ACAD. And those files can be=20 > readily converted to PDF for distribution with freebies. There are many=20 > libraries available with symbols for all different drawings, including=20 > electronics, piping, architecture, etc. :) >=20 > On 3/9/2011 3:17 PM, Carey Fisher wrote: > > Thanks Carl. Those are good leads too. As for CAD programs, the last = time > > I had a complex mechanical design, I used Google's Sketchup. Worked gr= eat! > > Thanks, > > Carey Fisher > > Chief Technical Officer > > New Communications Solutions, LLC > > 678-999-3956 > > careyfisher@ncsradio.com > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Carl Denk wrote= : > > > > =20 > >> All of the below, plus networking. There should be people in your area > >> that have full time positions, or service numerous organizations, and > >> those people would do part time work. Consulting engineering groups, > >> manufactures, etc. Also check local college and vocational training > >> place for students, and sometimes instructors to do that work. > >> > >> For a CAD package, definitely Autocad ($$$$) or a compatible ($). Ther= e > >> are several good packages out there, I use the CMS Intellicad. > >> Intellicad is an open source package, but I don't think you want to > >> compile and support yourself. The Professional package with 3D, and al= l > >> the whistles is around $240, and standard version $130. They are fully > >> ACAD DXF and DWG format compatible which is industry standard. Current > >> version is 6.6 and I understand 7.0 is coming in the near future. The= re > >> are a very few quirks that Acad does and Intellicad doesn't, but at > >> worst, it's only slightly more time to do it the long way, and those > >> instances are few. I have heard many times, it's easier to take a good > >> draftsman/designer and teach in Acad than to teach what a good drawing > >> is. My background is the Civil/Structural Engineering area, and go bac= k > >> to late 1970's with Acad version 2.17 on an IBM AT. 1997 I took a seri= es > >> of ACAD classes based on V14. At home I have had the Intellicad for > >> probably 10 years, and at times worked at work with ACAD, E-mailed the > >> file home, worked with Intellicad, and Monday morning E-mailed back to > >> work and continued on Acad. I'm fully retired now. > >> > >> On 3/9/2011 10:05 AM, Carey Fisher wrote: > >> =20 > >>> How would you guys go about finding this kind of person? Temp staffi= ng > >>> agencies? Craigslist? Anybody here do this kind of project work? > >>> > >>> Thanks for any and all input! > >>> Carey Fisher > >>> Chief Technical Officer > >>> New Communications Solutions, LLC > >>> careyfisher@ncsradio.com > >>> > >>> =20 > >> -- > >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ& list archive > >> View/change your membership options at > >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > >> > >> =20 > --=20 > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .