What CAD program is best for pipe drawings for amateurs

[Swedishrigpig]

Gents

I would like to learn how to make 3D drawings for pipe work.
What we usually use is Carbon steel pipe (150 Psi)for marine use. But we also started using FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) by Conley.
I am a beginner with Cad programs and I wonder what would be the best option. Auto CAD, Inventor or AutoCAD MEP (correct me if I got the names wrong).

At work we use AutoCAD, but can you make nice 3D pipe drawing with that? Would be nice to get a Partslist or Bill of material automatically, rather than counting flanges, elbows, gaskets, nuts and bolts etc by hand.

 

[dogtop]

Take a look at the following link:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servle...12&id=13718190#channels_Tooling & Mold Design

Take a special look at "Routed Systems Design."

This might be beyond what you want, though.

HTH

 

[Swedishrigpig]

Dogtop

That looks fantastic. How long would it take to learn how to use Inventor (as a total novice). I mean using it to make pipe runs and possibly flow/ pressure calculations?
1 week or 1 year?

If this is the best program on the market, what would be an "AutoCAD LT" version of pipe design? I mean this has a lot of function that I probably would not need.

Thanks for your help,

 

[pennpiper]

Swedishrigpig,
You have not said anything about your background. The most important question I have is this.
Have you had any formal training at all in basic piping?

If not I suggest you get some. In the mean time, go to

http://www.pipingdesigners.com

and open the tab labeled "Training" and read all the material there.
Then spend some time reading through the "Forum" then "Technical"

 

[MJCronin]

Swedish...

As I understand things, AUTOCAD LT is not a 3D CAD tool.

You requested a 3D CAD program

 

[Swedishrigpig]

MJCronin: Correct, that didn't come out right. What I meant to say was,
Is there a 3d CAD program suitable for pipe drawings that is a budget version rather than the full monty Inventor or Solid Works, a bit like Autocad LT is a simpler version of AutoCAD.

I understand that companys that design Refineries, Chamical factories, nuclear power plants use sofisticated software, but is there an low budget alternative?

By the way Dogtop, Thanks for the tip, a lot of useful reading there. I am fairly familiar with pipe work, I work as a first marine engineer, I'm just not that used to making drawings yet, but I am working on it.

 

[LUDPEKA1]

This might give you some more ideas.

http://www.forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=109829