CAD/CAM
Software
|
Solid
Modelers
If
you can afford one, a solid modeler is the best tool for designing
a car. This software allows for parts and assemblies to be modeled,
meaning the parts can be seen to work in concert before you create
them physically. The parts are made up from basic shapes (Cube,
sphere, cylinder, etc), which are combined via addition, subtraction
and other means. The designer saves parts in a library and adds
them as many times as needed. Designers can also purchase part
model packs, which include things such as standard bolts, screws,
nuts, etc.
Solid
modelers add the capability of detecting if parts are not mating
properly, and can often animate motion, allowing the designer
to check that a suspension doesn't bind, for instance. Anyway,
these are but a few of the products available. The focus is on
PC/Windows applications, as is all software in this guide.
|
| Autodesk
Inventor |
Solid
modelling software with an intuitive interface, and good feature
set. |
www.autodesk.com |
| TurboCad
Solid Modeler |
Low
cost powerful solid modelling software. Probably the best value
going. |
More
Info |
| TurboCad
3D Modeler |
A
lower end version, very useful, and low cost |
www.turbocad.com |
| Solidworks |
Popular
solid modeler with extensive features. Lots of 3rd party support
for FEA and CFD "add-ons" |
www.solidworks.com |
| SDRC
I-deas Series |
Solid
modeling, sheet metal, mechanisms -- very powerful software in use
by a number of racing teams. (~5000) |
www.sdrc.com |
| Autodesk
Mechanical Desktop 4 |
Full
featured solid modelling and drafting package. |
www.autodesk.com |
| CADKEY
99 |
Does
a wide range of drawing 2D, 3D, Solid modeling, surface modeling.
(~2000) |
www.cadkey.com |
| Unigraphics
Solid Edge |
Another
reputable solid modelling package.. This package should not be confused with the scaled down
"Origin" version mentioned to the right. |
www.solid-edge.com
Solid
Edge Origin is available for free. Good to learn on, but complete
car design is not possible. Click here to download.
|
Standard
CAD Packages
The standard
CAD packages are useful tools, but lack the part and assembly
features of the solid modelling software. Still, they allow drafting
precise designs, and as long as the designs can be co-ordinated
properly, one can still use these packages for car design. You
will also save a bunch of money.
|
|
AutoCAD LT |
A
2D CAD package from the industry standard Autodesk. Great features. |
|
|
AutoSketch |
2D
CAD. Good feature set. |
More
Info/BUY IT! |
|
TurboCAD |
2D/3D
CAD software with great features and a low price |
|
Automotive
Specific
|
| Susprog3D |
Excellent
software for suspension design. Produced in Australia.
Also, 2-stroke
engine tuning
|
Click here to go to web site. |
| CarSim
Educational |
This
is a FREE tool for simulating vehicle dynamics |
Download
here. |
| Bowlings
Automotive Programs |
Online
calculators for a variety of automotive needs |
Go
to the site... |
| Performance
Calculator |
A
tool which solves hundred of automotive calculations. |
Go
to the site... |
| Auto-Ware
Software |
A
wide variety of software from design to trackside. Also includes
a Q&A section on various aspects of race cars and racing setup. |
Go
to the site... |
Structural
Design
|
| COSMOS/M |
FEA analysis,
buckling, vibration fatigue
Probably the
best PC package for stress analysis
|
FREE
30 Day Trial Version available at www.cosmosm.com |
| Working
Model Series |
FEA Analysis,
motion simulation, physics. Everything necessary to test the physical
workings of assemblies
|
Demo
CDs and info at www.krev.com |
| VisualAnalysis |
Structural
design analysis/FEA (Finite Element Analysis) |
FREE
30 day trial at www.iesweb.com |
| Grape
GBW |
Shareware
FEA software |
Shareware
version at www.grapesoftware.mb.ca |
| mTAB
STRESS |
FEA
software |
Demo
available at www.sai-mtab.com |
Aerodynamic
Design (CFD, and Others)
|
| PowerFlow |
3D
CFD. Probably the most automotive specific package - Has specialized
setups for wind-tunnel type simulations |
www.exa.com |
| PHOENICS |
Shareware
3D CFD software -- has a VR interface, but shareware version in
DOS. Windows Version available |
www.cham.co.uk |
| CFD2000 |
Another
3D CFD package |
www.adaptive-research.com |
| Flow3D |
General
purpose 3D CFD |
www.flow3d.com |
| CFD
Ace+ |
3D
CFD Software |
www.cfdrc.com |
| VisualFoil |
Airfoil
design software - ie. wing design |
Free
demo available at www.hanleyinnovations.com |
| FoilSim |
FREE
airfoil educational tool from NASA. |
www.grc.nasa.gov |
| MicroTunnel |
2D
flow simulator |
Evaluation
Version @ www.microcfd.com |
Miscellaneous
|
| TreePad |
FREE
Windows explorer tree view style notepad. Great for categorizing
notes about car design |
www.freebyte.com |
