Posted by DrGrafix on Mar 14, 2020; 8:00pm
URL: https://forum.librecad.org/Total-Noobie-Question-tp5718558.html

I am totally unfamiliar with using a CAD program, but I'm a retired designer who is so old, I go back to mechanical drafting processes with T-Squares LOL. I am, however adept at graphic programs like Photoshop, and although I haven't used it much lately, I have used Corel Draw in the past on a PC.  I have long since switched to Mac and haven't really looked at Corel for Mac which was recently announced.

OK, so I have a "CAD" project to design a sheet aluminum automotive radiator shroud.  I have a friend with a CNC Plasma cutting table, and what I want to do is give him a DWG file that he can plug into his system, and the cutter will work its magic and cut out the aluminum sheet to a shape(s) needed to fabricate the shroud.  The shroud can be described as a shallow tray measuring about 17" high and 24" wide. The sheet will incorporate some side panels of about 3/4" high that will be folded on a metal brake tool once the sheet is cut, then they will be welded.  Here's a look at what the cut sheet might look like:



I've built a full scale 3D model to test fit everything, its crude but does the job.



Also did a "3D" sketch using Photoshop:



So I downloaded LibraCAD and I'm trying to figure out how to create this 2D layout.  Is there a simple, easy to follow tutorial anywhere on the web? Or is there a video on YouTube that shows how to create something like this... a flat sheet with specifically located cutouts and angles?  Thanks in advance for your help.-Mike