Midnight Software Inc., DeltaCad Review

Overall Rating

Simple, Fast, and cheap.
So easy to use.
Great for making a layout template for hole drilling.
Fast for making drawings to import and post for plasma or oxy fuel cutting machines.

Incomplete symbol files. Will not open in another version of Delta Cad as a DC file type, and does not import Auto CAD drawings unless they are a dxf drawing.

I found the Delta Cad software at Walmart on CD. I bought the last 6 copies of it from my local Walmart, and have not seen it there since. But I found another 10 copies at Odds & Ends before they went out of business.

It is so easy to use that I gave it to many of my co-workers. I have it on three of my own computers, and what I have noticed is that even though it has the same version printed on the CD; after it loads it displays a different version. If saving it as a DC file, it will not open on another computer. It only opens on the one it was drawn on, but if you save it as a DXF drawing it will open on any computer or any cad program including Auto CAD.

I primarily use the DXF drawings to create cut programs for plasma cutting machines. You draw it in Delta Cad, and then open the DXF drawing in another software program called Pro Motion Nest (available through Wes Can Systems Ltd), then make lead in, cutting order, etc. modifications if desired, and then save it as a cut program. It's so simple; you can draw it, post it, and start cutting it within a few minutes. With Auto CAD it may take an hour to do the same thing.

I also use it for making templates for hole layout. I draw the layout as I want to place holes in a panel or part. Make an X at each point, and then print it to scale. Lay it on the part, center punch the X marks. Then drill the holes. No need to measure out and scribe parts. Then remove the template and drill the holes. Much faster that measuring to lay out holes in parts.

My advice is try it and you will be amazed at how simple it is.