As said above cad is a step my team is looking to utilize but, we have trouble navigating and downloading any of the files. We use fusion 360 as our mentor suggested and it’s the only software, we have on our school pc.
If you are having trouble with the parts library, take a look at this topic:
I believe there is a FAQ link in this topic, maybe reading that can clear up some of your questions.
Speaking of questions…
Have you uploaded the parts library to your fusion 360 account’s assets folder? (you have to do this through the website – or, at least, this is how I did it).
Unlike Inventor Pro, fusion 360 is largely web-based, so if you haven’t uploaded the parts to the cloud storage provided to you, then It may not work as expected.
Regardless -
We can help you a lot more if you provide specific details about what kind of issues you have been experiencing.
Few months ago my team decided to export all fusion files to blender, we know that it’s not a CAD dedicated software but we can increase a lot the workflow. It’s a really intuitive open-source solution if you don’t understand fusion 360.
If you want to still using fusion the most important utilities are the parts library and the fusion add-in to cut accurately the pieces.
I would recomend SketchUp.
Use Onshape, it’s a cloud app. You won’t have to install anything on your computer. A parts library is out on the cloud too, just use it, nothing to set up.
Thank you for this but is it free for educational use?
Is there any learning curve?
No matter what CAD software you use there will be a learning curve. That said, imo Onshape is the most beginner friendly as most of the features are pretty intuitive to use. As previously said, setting up an account is almost as easy as setting up a gmail account. Onshape also made a great, free, self-paced online learning course: https://learn.onshape.com/
Almost all the commercial software packages (except Catia) have “free” educational licenses. Here is a paper with more information, including links to the student licensing: CAD for VEX Robotics.pdf - Google Drive
Yes, you will have to invest time in any worthwhile endeavor. Assembling parts from libraries is a first step (what most people are doing in VEX) and doesn’t take a great deal of time to learn. Other aspects of CAD software are more advanced (building models, detailing drawings, creating Bill Of Materials, etc, and requires a couple years (like an associates degree at a community college) to become proficient.
Yes, you can get a free educational license. There will be a learning curve with any CAD application.
Here is a video series to help you get started: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58YBuL9CL7KdaFquOuCasoTzGwnjHFUN
Thank You, I will check the links provided.