RattleCAD users? Let's Talk.

[RyanDelavelo]

Couldn't find a thread already in existence for those of us that use RattleCAD so I'd like to start this one.

Happy to share my experience and knowledge of the program thus far but would also like to hear from others who are using it.

I'm on Frame#1 at the moment and, being a linux fan, decided I wanted to try something open source and free before BikeCAD or BikeCAD Pro, which, as of yet, I have no experience in.

Nevertheless, I've found rattleCAD's learning curve to be...steepish...and know I'm still missing out on some it's capabilities and shortcuts/method.

In short: anyone else out there?

[dsaul]

I've used Rattlecad for all of my frames and it does have its oddities. I find that the config. panel stays hidden most of the time, but all of the details from that panel can be input directly on the "base concept" and "frame details" tabs. Most of the measurements that are in color on those tabs can be double clicked to open a box to input your measurement. In order for the change to take effect, you must hit "enter" after changing the data. Most of the angles can be changed directly, but I've found that the seat tube angle is a resultant figure from the saddle setback. I'm certainly no expert on Rattlecad, but I may be able to help with any specific questions you have.

[devlin]

I like RattleCAD. Its got some cool features and its free. I do think BikeCAD is a more polished program and when I can afford it Ill probably get it. Its about Aus $750 now. One thing I dont like in RattleCAD is the change to the way you set the seat height. Thats become clumsy unless Im missing something.

[RyanDelavelo]

Yeah, whilst the seat height thing seemed a bit odd at first (we often start off thinking that we're going to arrive at some mystical ST length that will tell us a lot of the other dimensions...) it's a more intuitive and sensible way of doing things. But the issue that got me stumped for a long time was how to change ST length and other measurements to bring said ST below the stand over height that I'd set for myself. RattleCAD's 'road' template is where I started and I'm building a light duties, flat handled touring bike...the initial template has a Standover of something like 850mm...I needed closer to 790 if I recall.

There are a few other functions that I can't figure out at present also...will try listing them later.

Anyone had luck or experience in importing a drawing of your own components, such as dropouts, into rattleCAD's libraries?

[devlin]

I haven't tried that yet.

[mmoore]

Anyone had luck or experience in importing a drawing of your own components, such as dropouts, into rattleCAD's libraries?

while its neat to have a "rendering" what difference does having the final dropout in the rendering provide??

Sorry if it sounds harsh, I honestly don't see the benefits... set your CS length to the axle and the DO should have no effect, imo.

[fred_stmk]

Thanks a lot for starting this thread!

Which Version do you use?
... latest Version of rattleCAD is
3.4.02.59 from 2015-06-20

you can download this Version here:
Download rattleCAD from SourceForge.net
Download rattleCAD from SourceForge.net

unfortunatly, the website of rattleCAD is currently not available at sourceforge:
http://rattlecad.sourceforge.net/
they want to fix it soon


Manfred Rosenberger (rattleCAD)

[devlin]

while its neat to have a "rendering" what difference does having the final dropout in the rendering provide??

Sorry if it sounds harsh, I honestly don't see the benefits... set your CS length to the axle and the DO should have no effect, imo.

Some people have a hard time visualising. Some people like to cross t's and dot i's and some like me are a little OCD. I work as a draftsman so I sweat some of these details by habit.

[mmoore]

Having designed some of the engine parts I build in CAD... there is drafting it and then there is building it. I ocd over details...when I have time, but it doesn't change the end product in terms of construction being that im setting machines and not using a CNC for cutting pipe elbows to precise angles.

[RyanDelavelo]

while its neat to have a "rendering" what difference does having the final dropout in the rendering provide??

Sorry if it sounds harsh, I honestly don't see the benefits... set your CS length to the axle and the DO should have no effect, imo.

Because we attach the dropout to the DO/CS area first correct? and then take a measurement in situ for final 'actual' length of tube?
I haven't moved onto the rear triangle yet and have been wondering how, given different sizes and designs of DO if I'd be able to have the software provide me with that length.

[RyanDelavelo]

Thanks a lot for starting this thread!

Which Version do you use?
... latest Version of rattleCAD is
3.4.02.59 from 2015-06-20

you can download this Version here:
Download rattleCAD from SourceForge.net
Download rattleCAD from SourceForge.net

unfortunatly, the website of rattleCAD is currently not available at sourceforge:
http://rattlecad.sourceforge.net/
they want to fix it soon


Manfred (rattleCAD)

I thought you'd pop up Manfred! Didn't know if you were here or not though ;-).

I'm on 3.4.02.25 running in Ubuntu 11.10: a bit of a faff to get started but got there in the end.

Having problems with same version succesfully exporting PDF on the Windows based PC platform at work mind...

[fred_stmk]

Anyone had luck or experience in importing a drawing of your own components, such as dropouts, into rattleCAD's libraries?

I did it, of course :)

The thing is:
every component has to be a svg-file with specific restrictions:
rattleCAD has restrictions to the svg-file

1. no path element
2. closed shapes to be filled and lay over other elements in rattleCAD

Therfore:

1. prepare your svg-File in a vector graphic Program (inkscape, CorelDRAW, ....)
2. take care on having closed shapes by give the shapes a color
3. out of rattleCAD start File-> SVG-Component and open your svg-File (simplifySVG 3.4.00)
   
   1. open your svg-File
   2. Button "Save Content"

To test your new File locate it in your rattleCAD-Project-Directory:

1. rattleCAD/components/test (e.g. testcomp.svg)
2. in rattleCAD change to the tab: ... Components
3. in FileList (...system/...custom) select the tab ...custom
4. in the list scroll down to test
5. select your file (e.g. testcomp.svg)
6. your shape should be displayed in the canvas

... this is the first step

next steps follows after your question

cheers Manfred Rosenberger

[fred_stmk]

I thought you'd pop up Manfred! Didn't know if you were here or not though ;-).

I'm on 3.4.02.25 running in Ubuntu 11.10: a bit of a faff to get started but got there in the end.

Having problems with same version succesfully exporting PDF on the Windows based PC platform at work mind...

... old version
update rattleCAD

cheers

Manfred Rosenberger

[mmoore]

Because we attach the dropout to the DO/CS area first correct? and then take a measurement in situ for final 'actual' length of tube?
I haven't moved onto the rear triangle yet and have been wondering how, given different sizes and designs of DO if I'd be able to have the software provide me with that length.

I will leave final words on construction techniques to the more experienced framebuilders. But your first question is more or less what I was implying.

While im sure there are some others that would like a very precise measurement and are willing to set the tool up to miter in a machine for perfect lengths- I don't think you would be able to tell a difference in a bike with +/- a few mm of chainstay length assuming the bike is square. Personally, if you have even a crude jig and a very good way to measure, you weld the DO to the Chainstay and miter for that... if you need to trim the short end of the CS to get it to place better you shouldn't need a CAD drawing to tell you to snip an inch from the end-all the while building being able to build the highest quality part.... IMO.

Take that with a grain of salt, as your construction technique will define your process-and no one will do the same thing the same way.

[waterlaz]

I did it the old-fashioned way and used a drawing board for my first frame :D
Too bad that I don't have enough room and might have to get rid of it soon :(

[fred_stmk]

I did it the old-fashioned way and used a drawing board for my first frame :D
Too bad that I don't have enough room and might have to get rid of it soon :(

http://dingler.culture.hu-berlin.de/.../tx314367a.png
http://www.archiexpo.de/prod/emme-it...3-1421329.html

they were great

Manfred Rosenberger

[RyanDelavelo]

Here's a question/bugbear then. How can I calculate actual DT length in RattleCAD? Finished off the Front Triangle and moved onto the CS's today but despite what I thought was good math on my behalf managed to calculate and cut the DT length too long which then took a while to manually alter bit by bit and has meant a slight change in angle and placement. No biggie...realised I could have used a piece of wire, for example, to take a physical measurement, just didn't have my problem solving brain engaged...

But...

RattleCAD gives accurate mitre to mitre/top of tube lengths for both the TT and the ST, get other measurements, the DT especially, are given as a measurement taken from the centre of the BB to the DT/HT joint. Which led to my bad math attempt! The measurements I'm referring to appear under the Frame Drafting Tab, in purple.

[fred_stmk]

Here's a question/bugbear then. How can I calculate actual DT length in RattleCAD? Finished off the Front Triangle and moved onto the CS's today but despite what I thought was good math on my behalf managed to calculate and cut the DT length too long which then took a while to manually alter bit by bit and has meant a slight change in angle and placement. No biggie...realised I could have used a piece of wire, for example, to take a physical measurement, just didn't have my problem solving brain engaged...

But...

RattleCAD gives accurate mitre to mitre/top of tube lengths for both the TT and the ST, get other measurements, the DT especially, are given as a measurement taken from the centre of the BB to the DT/HT joint. Which led to my bad math attempt! The measurements I'm referring to appear under the Frame Drafting Tab, in purple.

Sorry, I did not got the question

Manfred Rosenberger

[dbohemian]

Hi Manfred,

Ryan is correct. I noticed that Rattlecad slightly miss-calculates the downtube length. I.e. You take the number that is from the underneath of the DT/HT miter to the center of the BB. Then you would subtract the radius of the BB. The issue is that length will be too long by about 1mm to 1.5mm. Unless I am calculating this incorrectly (very possible) the calc is not correct for some reason.

[fred_stmk]

I.e. You take the number that is from the underneath of the DT/HT miter to the center of the BB.
Then you would subtract the radius of the BB. The issue is that length will be too long by about 1mm to 1.5mm.

Hi David,

rattleCAD does not care about the BB-Diameter to calculate the DownTube Length.

Which Length do you want to get?

Can you explain me this on a graphic?

Thanks, Manfred Rosenberger