Sources for CAD software

[Piggiron]

Concerning FreeCAD, I found a YouTube channel with an extensive amount of video tutorials I'm currently watching.
Here's the channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@MangoJellySolutions/featured

Here's the Play list link I'm watching: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWuyJLVUNtc0UszswD0oD5q4VeWTrK7JC

[Piggiron]

Concerning FreeCAD, I found a YouTube channel with an extensive amount of video tutorials I'm currently watching.
Here's the channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@MangoJellySolutions/featured

Here's the Play list link I'm watching: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWuyJLVUNtc0UszswD0oD5q4VeWTrK7JC

I've been watching the above linked tutorial while designing a part as I follow the tutorial. While the video series is fairly recent, the current version of FreeCAD has changed it from what's shown in the videos.
For instance, the "Edit Controls" in the Combo View Box is no longer there in the newer version (v-V 0.21.2).
I also found the toolbar for Padding (additive & subtractive) are not there, by default. To add them, hover mouse pointer over toolbar area, right click, and select "Customize". Select "Toolbars" and use the Catagory drop down box to select "Part Design". There you can select all the tools you want and name the toolbar what you want.

[4GSR]

Jimmy,

The first chance I get, I'll download the program and give it a try.
Work been busy and I'm trying to get some things done in the shop, too. But keep the cards coming. It's all much appreciated, Ken

[Piggiron]

It's been quite a steep learning curve for me with my computer/program skills being self-taught or shown by co-workers. Up til now, eMachineShop free, 2D CAD program is all I've ever used.

I almost decided to swap over and try Ondsel ES, based on the video I posted about earlier, but I tend to stick with open source programs when available due to the fact that as time goes by, the business supplied, free programs tend to evolve into having less functionality while the open source ones tend to increase in functionality.

The only downside is what I'm experiencing now. The video tutorial series videos are only a year or two old, yet some of the things discussed are already obsolete due to new versions of the program being released.

[Piggiron]

Instead of cluttering up this thread, I decided to create a new thread for my journey into FreeCAD with the plan to post differences between the video tutorial and the latest version of FreeCAD along with answers/solutions I find or figure out along the way.

[propforward]

I've been researching this a bit to help someone at work.

Onshape has a free version for Hobbyist users, and is well regarded. I intend to download it and try it, just to see how it is. Onshape requires cloud conectivity.

Solidworks for makers is significantly less expensive than Fusion, and allows you to install and store files locally.

I use Inventor and Solidworks every day, and Inventor doesn't even hold a candle to Solidworks. Autodesk products are about 10 years behind Solidworks.

Frankly, for a LOW COST CAD for home use, I recommend Solidworks for Makers. That's the direction I'll go when I can't afford 2.5K a year for engineering software.

Pity Solidworks have done such a crap job marketing their maker edition really.