Free CAD software

[zhillz]

Anyone ever use google sketchup? Check it out its pretty neat and useful plus FREE. What do yall use for layouts? Pen and papper? lol.

[BCRD]

I use Solidworks everyday (obviously not free), and for the odd 2d drawings I used their DWG Editor (bundled with solidworks) which was terrible. However, they just launched Draftsight, which is free for all, and it is a whole lot better than dwg editor. I think its easier to use than Autocad, but not quite as powerful, which is perfect for hobbyists.

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/

Jason

[zhillz]

Awesome!

[pinjas]

I've been using google sketchup for a few years, it's a nice program. I intend to try out solidworks myself, I spend a lot of time roaming cnczone's forum, somewhere I saw a poll with solidworks voted the favored program. I tried alibre, I guess I didn't like it much.

[BCRD]

Yeah, I tried Alibre too, Didn't work well for me, and shortly thereafter was hired at a shop that used Soliworks. Alibre may work just fine if you invest the time to learn it.

Jason

[papaof2]

The link in your sig doesn't work for me - page with video block comes up, then goes blank.

John

[zhillz]

If your talking about pinjas link it works for me.

[pinjas]

The link in your sig doesn't work for me - page with video block comes up, then goes blank.

John

Yeah, the link works for me. Are you on some sort of censoring internet service provider or is there some sort of site blocking software on your PC? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK4HJGELS-I This is a youtube video, you can watch the same thing in a series or something like that.

[emagray]

I have used Google Sketchup fairly often in the past and like the program a lot. If you just need a program to draw simple parts and don't need any type of analysis then the program is great. Recently I received a copy of Solidworks because I need to do some more complex work with moving parts and highly stressed parts so I am looking to Solidworks for its FEA capabilities.

[Knotbored]

That Draftsite program features page sure looks good- but the download is 42+megs and I am on dialup so it will have to wait until I can get someone to put it on a disk for me- dang this slowspeed system! I have spare time on my hands-but not that much.

[zhillz]

I didn't know they offered dial-up anymore? My high speed **** is only 30 a month now, upgrade it man!

[papaof2]

That Draftsite program features page sure looks good- but the download is 42+megs and I am on dialup so it will have to wait until I can get someone to put it on a disk for me- dang this slowspeed system! I have spare time on my hands-but not that much.

Do you have a local library that offers free high speed interent access? The county library branch near us has a dozen of so computers available. If you bring your own laptop, you can access their wi-fi network to get on the internet.

John

[zhillz]

^ I don't think they will let you download anything on their computers and if he has dialup, he probably doesn't have a laptop.

[Knotbored]

Yea- I am out in the boonies- dialup is the only logical internet right now.
I am out of range of CLEAR service (from a tower using Sprint)
A sat connecction a neighbor uses is expensive and has delays and weather issues-only about 30% faster then dialup.
No cable available
Phone cards limmit is 5 gig-hardly takes care of MS updates and u-tube and is expensive

[pinjas]

Yikes, I don't think I could live in a place with dial up. I am so addicted to the niceties of these speeds. I am sure 50mb things have been downloaded on dial up before. It isn't like you -have- to sit there and watch it download.

Personally, I think there should be fiber optic cable everywhere there is electricity, the US, and the entire world relies upon communication so heavily, fiber optic cables is like the gateway to communication, and fast porn downloads.

[BCRD]

That Draftsite program features page sure looks good- but the download is 42+megs and I am on dialup so it will have to wait until I can get someone to put it on a disk for me- dang this slowspeed system! I have spare time on my hands-but not that much.

PM me with an address, and whether you want it for a Mac or PC. I can burn it to DVD for you and mail it out if you like.

Jason

[Knotbored]

PM me with an address, and whether you want it for a Mac or PC. I can burn it to DVD for you and mail it out if you like.

Jason

Thanks for the help but I will find some local way to get a copy.
I didn't mention that I have a major highway at one end of my property, and high power trunklines across the lower 1/4 but the county hasn't seen fit to entise broadband providers out into the rural areas, although all the politicians ran on policies of making more employment opertunities out away from towns. Glad I am retired.

[joefitz]

Just did a quick search on here. If anyone needs any Autodesk software I was given the keys to the castle at my current job.

I've got Autocad versions:

Architecture
Civil
Civil 3D
Electrical
Freestyle
All the inventor suites
mechanical
MEP
plant 3D
all the revits and rasters
structural
detailing
3DS

All are 2010 or 2011 versions. Not stolen, not Educational versions... legitimate Autodesk software.



Also have access to large format printer... but personal use for profit is frowned upon. So if you're welding up something for a church and want some DWG's done up... that's doable.

All in all it's over $45k in software just waiting to be used.

I'll be starting a new thread somewhere where people can send requests for drafts or computational analysis.

I'm not sending anyone a copy of any software, just offering my services as needed or available. If you're in or around Massachusetts and want to use it at my place that's fine too. Just bring beer and cookies for the dog.

I have most of these
Software (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=8909451&siteID=123112)

Joe

[4x4_Welder]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a free program that will work with Linux (Ubuntu specifically)? I tried Graphite One, but after it opened the packages it wouldn't actually open the program for some reason.
I'm mostly looking for something to play around with and learn to use so that I can have parts cut on the laser at work. I have zero experience with CAD, but it's something I will need and don't have the ability to go to school right now to learn it.

[joefitz]

What version of Ubuntu are you using? Hopefully not the netbook redux.

Wiki has a pretty up do date list of softare and their OS.

Architecture Engineering and Construction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CAD_editors_for_AEC)

Computer Aided Engineering (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CAD_editors_for_CAE)

Engineering Design Automation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Free_EDA_software)

I've used Open Cascade, worked nice. I wasn't running Ubuntu though.

[4x4_Welder]

I'm running 10.04. I think I finally have it running stable now that I've put a real video card into my computer.

[joefitz]

hmm.... Ill put that on my machine and see if it runs.

[joefitz]

Worked fine on my setup... did you dl the right packages 4x4?

[Marine5068]

Try TurboCAD.
Like a cheaper version of autocad
There is also AutoCAD lite.