anyone have a third gen TA solidworks model that they's like to share?

I have no idea what your talking about...

John

I think it's like an auto-cad 3d model

Yes, Its 3D animation software. I used to have a 3D studio MAX model of an early Camaro. I might still have it on CD somewhere. I can check if you think it may be useful.

solidworks is a computer aided engineering software tool... it's not really for animation, but the 3D studio max might be useful... you never know. If it's really old, then I might not be able to open it, due to format differences... I use it at work to model assemblies, like a whole battery charger, down to the fasteners.

AutoCAD has a 3D tool similar to solidworks call Mechanical Desktop... I used it a couple of times... Solidworks is easier, more friendly.... the problem is that is costs about $5-6K per "seat" or license. Another good program is called Pro-E (e for engineer, i guess)... but I hear it cost $20-$30K per seats... crazy and only big companies like Raytheon use it...

That would take some time to design, esp if you haven't used it in a while (erm ) Had a class on Solidworks, very good program.

To answer your question, the only thing I did was design a front nose emblem for my friend on the program, as well as a Firebird side emblem for my firebird.

Im a ME student and I have had a fair share of experience with these programs:

Pro-E: INitially my school had and taught Pro-e. It is a very very power fule program. The bad thing is the user interface is just as complicated. If you don't use it every day you quickly forget how the counter-intuitive menues go together.
Solidworks:

The school now teaches solidworks. More user firiendly then PRO-E, but still has quirks. For instance, cuts to a part depend on the parts location in space. If you are workin in assembly and you move the part or change how the cut is referenced, the cut is no longer valid. Royal PITA. From what I understand, solidworks is one of the most-used programs

Autodesk Inventor:

Very similar to solidworks, most of the menues are the same. I found it easier to make an assembly in inventor. Helical sweeps were also much easier.


Co-create Solid designer:

This is my favorite by far. It is also what I have the most experience in. Pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. The parts don't rely on position to reference changes you make in the part; once a cut is made you can move the part whertever and it won't suddenly change shape on you like in solidworks.

Rhino also makes a good 3D program, its more reasonable in price, and the older program you could use it for free for 30 days... If you reinstalled it it reset the 30 days ( I have been told ) I have a licensed version. Unfortunately with Rhino you buy the Render programs seperately. There is a Zoo if you want to keep the program keys for multiple computers (so multiple people can use the same program license).

Believe it or not but Corel also made a 3D program, one of the things that came with it was a 3D Camaro... It came with CorelDraw 7 (I think it was 7) Suite... but it was a PITA to use...

John

I use Pro-E at work. Where I am right now. I am pretty good with it. Use it almost everyday, but I am still a student too. Senior ME at Northeastern University in Boston. They don't teach it, but I taught myself at work using help menus and so on. Very nice program. I can see why it is so expensive.

I would LOVE to have a CAD model of a thirdgen. That would be insane and make mods super easy. I could come up with something myself, but it would be so damn hard and take soooo long for it to even resemble an F-body it wouldn't be worth it. I would need every single dimension on the car, lol.

I use the program to make/design automotive switches. I helped design the new reverse light switch that is going on the ZO7, blue devil, whatever it is going to be called. Cool to be involved in something that crazy.

I bought CorelDraw 7 back in the day and their 3D app was not that good. They have since dropped it from the CorelDraw suite. I use CorelDraw 11 for all my 2D needs, I like it. It’s much easier to use then Illustrator. but now I’m getting a bit off topic.

I’ve heard good things about Rhino but never used it.