Recommend a free/open source CAD package?

Helius

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Oct 18, 2006
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11
Location
Chippenham, UK
Hi,

not sure which forum to post this message so I guess the GFD will do. I want to use a simple 3d design package and wondered if there are any free/open source offerings that were any good. I have had a go with the software from emachineshop which seems very nice, but it does not seem to be able to handle more than one shape. I suppose thats because it is for designing bits to machine instead of a full design of assembled parts.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 

Mad1

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May 10, 2006
Messages
711
Location
UK
I'm not sure that there is any free CAD programs out there.

You could try Autocad on a trial basis.
 

cbdudley

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Aug 15, 2006
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Location
Central VA
I use IntelliCAD, which is not free but very reasonably priced (standard edition is $72). It is completely compatible with AutoCAD file formats (both old and new). Great product! Here is the web site:

http://www.intellicadms.com/
 
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Pellidon

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The second question is what OS are you running? I don't recall one for Windows and have not seen one at all for Linux.
 

teststrips

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Dec 18, 2004
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317
Location
USA, Pennsylvania
A site that I find VERY helpful in finding Open Source programs is www.osalt.com (short for open source alternative)

Searching for Autocad - they offer two suggestions - only one runs on windows though.
Qcad Community Edition 2.0.5.0 - runs on linux/unix
BRL-CAD 7.8 runs on windows mac linux/unix

Check out the site www.osalt.com
 

Lightmania

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Sep 10, 2006
Messages
214
teststrips, thanks for that link! I've always like those open source programs.

Lightmania
 

Coop

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Jan 6, 2006
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I used to sell AutoCAD. Good software, but a bit too expensive for the home user. Even the Lite version isn't affordable for most folks.

A program I really like is Sketchup. It's not meant to be a full-blown CAD program, but a program for making 3D sketches. The first time I tried this program I was absolutely blown away by the ease of use. The functionality is limited, but you can export to AutoCAD for further use. I know my way around AutoCAD pretty well (heck, I used to teach others) but when designing something, I very often setup the basic model in Sketchup and do detailing in autocad. Just because Sketchup is so freakin easy to use and so incredibly fast to work with.
 

tvodrd

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Dec 13, 2002
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You can get SolidWorks free for a month, at which point it gets veery pricy! I am lucky that my employer bought it for me and SW expressly states it's OK to also load it on the home box.

Larry
 
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