Google Sketchup

[redidbull]

Here is a pretty cool program for making drawings and figuring dimensions. Best thing it is free. Jim

http://sketchup.google.com/#utm_camp...term=sketching

[Tom Kroscavage]

I like the way you can draw a square and pull it into a box.

[Sparky#1]

It's not free but a demo,the full program is almost $500.

[headwork]

I wouldn't let the "demo" tag fool ya. There are definately features that are left out of the free version, but it is still a pretty handy and cool little tool for making a 3D sketch. And from what I can tell, it's not a "free" version that bugs you every 10 minutes to upgrade to the $500 pro version. I would say that anybody looking for a relatively easy to use, free 3D sketch tool should give it a shot! And yes, the way you can pull a 2D shape into a 3D object is pretty cool!

Josh

[-olllllllo-]

extremely good program for a freebie. as said, no bugs about buying the pro version.

im designing an off road trailer for behind the jeep with it. very cool.

[ScaledTankBill]

SketchUp is the tool of choice at Scaled Tanks for most of the members. It has it's quirks but overall, it's pretty good and easy to learn. There are numerous tutorials at youTube and at the SketchUp website that are well worth the time to go through if you are wanting to use the program. One Scaled Tank member (Muddydigger) has it down to an artform and produces some amazingly detailed armored vehicle images with it.

Bill

[jeeper]

very vool!

[chenry]

so powerful a tool the big boys have made competing software .

sketch up is very nice.

( still sticking with Inventor and Autocad though. course i get @ 15k worth of software for free every year so i am biased