Generic Cadd - the Old Man's CAD 1

[Rob Ferguson]

I just realized I'm still using Generic Cadd after almost 30 years. What prompts me to write on the subject is that while using it on a small furniture design project (to keep me busy in retirement), I managed to get this 23 year old version to configure to display on a 1920x1080 resolution monitor. I used DOSBox-SVN-Daum to run it on Windows 10. This version of the DOSBox DOS emulator makes a whole bunch of wide screen resolution modes available.

Anyone else out there still using GC?

Rob

 

[cooperDBM]

Rob, I don't use Generic CAD though I remember it. If you felt like something more modern you should try Sketchup. It's a free 3D modeller that is widely used by woodworkers. There a lot of tutorials online, including specifically for woodworking (e.g. Fine Woodworking has a series). It's very easy to get started and is far more intuitive than some of the older 3D CAD programs you may have seen.

 

[Sparweb]

I thought the only use for DOSBOX was to play Space Invaders and Pong.
(well, that's not true... I use it for Quake sometimes...)

My only claim to Old Man's CAD are my AutoCAD R14 3.5" floppy disks. R14 never complained about things like screen size, either. It won't talk to Windows 7 or 10 though.

There's a whole culture of computer lovers who like to keep old software running. Sounds like you can join their club!


STF

 

[AJB1262]

Sketchup isn't really free any more. After 30 days you need to purchase.

 

[cooperDBM]

There's still a free version called SketchUp Make for personal use like woodworking. A license is required for commercial use.

 

[chicopee]

My old CAD program consists of ten, five and one quarter inch diskettes that were developed by Autodesk, is that the same developer that you have with your Generic CAD? By the way I graduated to AutoCAD 2005.

 

[jdunfee5]

I recall loading an old AutoSketch v2 into my computer that was running Windows XP. It worked well, and would load a DWG file with a very large point-cloud in a fraction of the time that it took AutoCAD v2004. Sometimes older is better.

Buy the way, for free CAD, I suggest Dassault's DraftSite. The free version has no programming ability, but it is a native DWG editor, and really does a good job of mimicking the functions of AutoCAD if that is what you want. Their "pro" paid version is not that expensive, and adds some programming in lisp and other languages, but I have not tested any of that to know how compatible it is with the vast library of AutoCAD 3rd party programs.

-Joe

 

[Sparweb]

For those who concern themselves with search engine results, it's spelled "Dassault DraftSIGHT".
However, if you do prefer DraftSITE, then keep an eye on Brady Tkachuk for the Canucks next year.

STF

 

[jdunfee5]

Thanks for catching that.

-Joe