Software programs

[MikeD55]

For those using software was wondering what do your using and why. I’ve heard of SolidWorks and Sketchup. I want something that’s easy to use. I’m interested in building brick ovens and like the advantages CAD offers.

[Toiletman]

Hi MikeD55 . For my oven I've been working with Solidworks. It was the CAD package of choice during my studies, and a little bit during my professional life. I like it, and it worked pretty well to create my oven designs, judging size, knowing the amounts of bricks to order, etc. Although in practice there's a lot of handyness and 'from the wrist' (don't know if that's an English saying as well, but in Dutch it means improvising) work needed as well, and for judging the size: cardboard mockups will help you a lot.
Professionally I'm now working with Siemens NX and I like it a lot more, it's a little bit more forgiving in the order of things and it also let's you manually cheat a bit more. Solidworks can go haywire if you change something 'early in the design history of a part', NX typically doesn't care about such things. NX does seem to have a little bit of a steeper learning curve.

In 3D printing a lot of people are using Fusion360. I've never tried it so can't comment, but maybe it worth a shot.

[JRPizza]

Mike, I used Freecad when I built my oven to create 2D views to verify my placement on the hearth and other critical dimensions like placement of the inner arch. I also use it to model parts to 3D print, but I found that other than generating cool pictures, trying to make an accurate 3D representation of the oven was for me a waste of time.

[Giovanni Rossi]

Mike, I second JRPizza 's comments. I spent an extraordinary amount of time during COVID lockdowns working with free CAD software to design my oven. Ultimately, it was a frustrating exercise that just left me wanting to buy a full-featured package. The cost is directly proportional to the features available. For me, the cost defeated one of the perks of DIY.

I can't recall if you are looking for a retirement hobby or a second career building ovens. If a hobby, there's plenty of info on this FORUM to get you going and you can have fun adjusting your design with each build. If a business, I suppose it depends on what kind of volume and, ultimately, the ROI target you're looking to achieve to determine if a good CAD program is worth the cost.

[MikeD55]

Giovanni

I want a good CAD but also something that’s intuitive and easy to use.

[JRPizza]

I can't remember where I heard it, but "CAD is hard". When I told the designers at work I was playing with CAD while working on my oven I kinda got a "Yeah, right" reply from most. I got good enough with Freecad to lay out an oven and figure out the design and placement of base, arches, etc and can even do some basic modeling for 3D printing, but if I put it down for even a few months I have to go back over the tutorials to remember how I did something.

[MikeD55]

I’m thinking about Sketchup. Price seems reasonable. Fingers crossed

[Giovanni Rossi]

The only thing consistent with these oven in inconsistency. You will find as you build, due to many variables, you cannot make a template that works for every case as you cut bricks, adjustments will be required. As you go up in courses, you will see the Inverted V joint unless you adjust the bevel of the internal brick joint.

Russell's "inconsistency" quote in your other thread holds true. I've always been pretty good with tech; but, for the CAD programs I've used, I would never associate the words "intuitive and easy to use". I sent a message to my architect daughter for her opinion. She's well aware of the design issues/needs of oven projects. Also tried my son who's a Solidworks Certified Professional.

[MikeD55]

Giovanni

Thank you. Intuitive meaning relative to each other. I looked at solidworks but it’s expensive and geared more towards the pro. As I investigate more I’m leaning towards SketchUp. It’s relatively affordable and it seems to be in use for brick ovens

[Giovanni Rossi]

Yes, Solidworks is not a good option for your needs. Just thought I would tap the boy's brain as he has knowledge in that space and was around through my build process.

[Gulf]

Our oven sizes are small enough to draw in full scale. It's "old school" but the drawing can also be used as a template in the real world. No program to purchase. The cost of a school project board, a yardstick, and a push pin is minimal

[JRPizza]

CAD = Cardboard And Drawing

[UtahBeehiver]

Plus one on JR and Gulf. Even though I am a retired Engineer and had full access to AutoCad I opted to go Old School like Gulf. Much easier to visualized the oven on the hearth in person.

[mongota]

I'd love to be more able with a program like Sketchup. I just don't use it often enough.

I used a few sheets of 8-1/2 x 11" graph paper to design my oven, they're on page 1 of my build. The design worked on paper and amazingly it worked in real life too!