Thread: 3D design software, any help

have you had a look at google sketchpad?

The basic version is free to try, and i'm told it's quite good.

Most other technical drawing programs are expensive. Autocad 2009 is about $6000 a licence from memory. Archicad isn't much better

I am looking at Google Sketch up is that the same? I cant find Sketch pad. Sketchup looks OK other than imperial sizing. As for Auto cad, I have been looking in to it and it wont link drawings to cutting lists and its a little difficult to learn with 3D rendering and running imports etc.
Thanks as I am going back to reassess the programs that I dismissed earlier based on small issues I wanted to avoid.
Thanks

If you want 3D capable CAD, have a look at Progecad progeSOFT: progeCAD IntelliCAD, DWG CAD - the real AutoCAD Alternative

They have a free version for non-commercial use and the full shebang is only around $400 for a legit licence. It looks, feels and smells just like Autocad.

Another is Cadopia CADopia 8 The IntelliCAD source for AutoCAD users. - also excellent and good value.

Neither of them can do solidworks type stuff, which may be what you're chasing.

Regards
Scott

Solidworks is where I would be looking. Incredibly powerful tool.

www.solidworks.com

Australian Reseller is www.intercad.com.au

Have sent you a PM also.

Oops, looks like I got the name wrong, yes, sketchup.

Another is TurboCad ... Full 3D rendering + does have a associated product costing & listing ... and fairly easy to use / learn ... (nothing like AutoCad)

Very cost effective ... but little support in OZ, other than online ... Tutors are available on the east coast // updates are cheap with version updates & release's every year

However ... it's your need for cutting lists that may be your sticky point ... I'm unsure what's required to get that to happen ..... But there are folks in OZ who could write associated programs to bridge it across

Mike

Also have a look at BLENDER. it's a free with professional features, there is also a tutorial online for it.
There is a gallery , even has a Disco3 on the beach LOL
blender.org - Art Gallery
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/feature-videos/
blender.org - Education & Help
This is open source avail in Window, Mac and linux version.
If it was not open source, expect to pay through the nose
Also some external renders
http://www.blender.org/download/get-...nal-renderers/

Hi,
I use Solid Edge, which is fairly close to Solid Works. Solid Edge (SE) is a full 3D program, of course covers 2D as well.
I use SE because thats what my uni (UWS) teaches, my uni used to teach SW but changed to SE some time ago as SE has much much better customer support, friends at UTS have said to me that they get no backup from the SW people at all.
I have found free programs tend to have better support from people who use it rather than sell it, so thats worth taking into account.

I haven't used Solid Edge to create a cutting list as you describe, but it is easy to get the hang of and quite powerful. I started with SE16, now up to version 21.
Academic licenses are VERY cheap, $3.60 when I last bought one (SE version 18) so find someone at a uni and get some hands on research material
Hope that helps
-Mark