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Anyone know of a trial or freeware CAD program for simple 3D drawing? It's for my daughter's and my learning...

cheers

3d??

google sketchup...

I use CAD all day and all night, every day and every night, what are you planning to use it for?

SketchUp is KICKARSE for *some* stuff, and it's free (limited version) to use, but isn't great if you're doing technical drawings, only good for 3D. There are educational versions of most of the good software packages out there (autoCAD, archiCAD, REVIT, microstation, etc) depends on what you plan to use it for. Generally speaking autoCAD is the best bet since it is industry standard across ... well... everything, but unless your daughter (or yourself) is enrolled in an approved course (school doesn't count) you won't be able to get the licences.

If I were you I'd do some research to find out what particular suite is apprpriate for the task at hand, see if they offer a trial or limited licence, then make sure there is a good suite of tutorials to help you learn it. Or check your pm's. J.

yeah but Pinchy does it do simple 3D stuff like designing replacement parts etc.? and I couldn't find a fucken free trial anywhere... tho I am Googly Chalanged...

shop drawings for replacement parts? autoCAD. Sketchup can model them but it won't be able to document them to a level they can be manufactured, as the free version does not support DXF or DWG formats, which are basically the babelfish of the engineering world. Go to autoCAD's website and see if they have a free 30 day trial or similar. They have good online support too, from what I've heard. J.

I'll have a squiz J. I just wonder if my age is showing if sometimes I think it's just as easy to just draw the thing by hand.... ???

ah doing replacement parts...now it becomes clearer mick

i use autocad at work and have used archicad... but if you're more interested in something towards industrial engineering, then you could also try programs like maya and 3d studio max... as they are more object rather than building oriented...

the other reason i mentioned sketchup is because its easy... the other proper engineering cad programs (3d max, maya, autocad) really do require training...

HTH mick

Limewire

limewire???

Don't know if you can get it free but you could try and find it. It's called 'Solid Edge', does 3d and you can then convert it into something that resembles a tech drawing.

I use Auto cad 2007 plus a few other CNC based CAD/CAM programmes at work.I find A-cad can be a little to full on for people just starting out...In saying that,I think if you go to the Autodesk site you can download a trial of auto cad......

If your looking at drawing parts to be machined maybe check out eMahine shop I personally havn't used it but look's pretty cool,Will put on my to-do list

Oh and there is Torrents with key generators out there for auto-cad .....

DISCO wrote:...

Oh and there is Torrents with key generators out there for auto-cad .....

Six Addict wrote:limewire???

See above

silly me mike