Free CAD software

[Bubber]

Does anyone on here use a free down loadable CAD software?

What do you recommend?

Where can I get it?

Bubber

[dingy]

Does anyone on here use a free down loadable CAD software?

 

What do you recommend?

 

Where can I get it?

 

Bubber

 

Depends what you want to draw/model.

 

If you just need short term 3D, Solid Edge offers 45 trial license. About $5500 if you want to buy it. Not really a beginner package though. Equivalent to better known Solid Works CAD.

 

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/monthly-subscriptions/free-trial.shtml?stc=usiia400139

 

They also have a decent free 2D package.

 

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/

 

Gary

[BlueVenture87]

I use cad standard. the free version is missing some key features but at about 40.00 for a single user it's worth it. I've run the dwg files on waterjet cutting machines with complete success.

 

http://www.cadstd.com/

 

Best!

 

-JK

[friesman]

We use Google sketchup for designing basic drawings and designs. Its free for download and is designed for basic to intermediate drawings.

 

[ame=http://download.cnet.com/SketchUp/3000-6677_4-10257337.html]SketchUp - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com[/ame]

[M61A1MECH]

I use DRAFTSIGHT from Dassault the same folks tha make SOLIDWORKS, they offer a free down load of their 2D system that is nearly identical to AUTOCAD.

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

 

When they took away all of the AUTOCAD licenses at work this what the IT guys us to use for 2D work if we were not drafters, designers or engineers with a need for 3D SOLIDWORKS.

 

I use it at home also.

The oly problem I had was one version did work the current video driver on my laptop, so I had to update the driver and it was all good.

[Prairiehammer]

Does anyone on here use a free down loadable CAD software?

 

What do you recommend?

 

Where can I get it?

 

Bubber

 

I have used TurboCad Professional since 1999. It is not a free download, but you can find sealed CD's for the older versions on eBay for as little as $5.00.

 

There is a pretty steep learning curve to utilize the full capabilities of TurboCad Professional, but TurboCad offers "Designer 2D", a simpler less capable version.

 

http://www.turbocad.com/

[Wizard765]

We use Google sketchup for designing basic drawings and designs. Its free for download and is designed for basic to intermediate drawings.

 

SketchUp - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

 

 

This is an amazing product and very easy to use. 3D drawing with lots of tutorials available and with dimensions etc. Pretty simple but effective. I have been using it for awhile now and love it. There is a pro version that will import and export to and from different programs such as AutoCAD.

Right now we are designing a new church addition with this. Once we have what we want we will be handing it to our Architect to complete the final drawings. Every architect and engineer we have talked to has Sketchup pro for this purpose.

Also just finished designing a receiver hitch for a MkII in this product..

Anyhow I am very excited about this drawing program.. try it out and I think you will be impressed.

[Bubber]

Thanks everyone.

 

I will give one of them a try. I just want to do 2D stuff at the present.

 

BlueVenture87 do you do cut outs for people on the side or is this your day job?

Always looking for talented people.

 

Speaking of which, does any one know how to strip paint from ABS without destroying it?

Other than sanding it off.

 

Bubber

Edited November 10, 2013 by Bubber

[BlueVenture87]

I'm not a professional fabricator so it's just hobby stuff for me. I use Cad Standard to design parts and send the file to www.bigbluesaw.com They send back the cut parts. It works for the once in a while item. Since the dwg file is industry standard they can use files from any software program that outputs in dwg.

 

In real life I'm a computer geek.

 

Best!

 

-JK

[Black Owl]

Bubber,

I have a mechanical pencil and a straight edge if that would help....

[Prairiehammer]

Steve, I'm trained as a draftsman (in 1960's/1970's). Manual drafting.

It's hard to translate pen and paper drawings to CNC, though.

[dingy]

I use Cad Standard to design parts and send the file to www.bigbluesaw.com They send back the cut parts. It works for the once in a while item.

 

-JK

 

I will send some parts I need for the RSV Hybrid to this place for quote. I have a local place that laser cuts wrenches for me, but one piece items are not cheap.

 

Gary

[Flyinfool]

I have access to a piece of software called Scan2CAD. It will take your pencil and paper drawing and turn it into a dxf file which can be imported into almost any 2D cad software to be manipulated, turned into a dwg or exported to CNC.

 

At work I use Inventor for 3D cad and AutoCAD for 2D. The licenses for these allows installation on a desktop and a laptop (you have to ask Autodesk for permission and they always grant it, it is in the fine print of the license). Since at work I have a desktop but no laptop and at home I have a laptop but no desktop I have permission from Autodesk and my work to have it installed at home and at work.

[pofarm]

I have played around with this software. It is comparable to older versions of autocad.

http://a9cad.en.softonic.com/