free cad modelling

kelvin james

Although not Parallax related, i have seen some people here inquiring about free cad software. This can be useful for getting a 3d representation of a robot or component design. Since i had not played around with this stuff for a while, i took a look around to see what was available.

I found one called PowerShape-e which looks good. It has a lot of support in the help, and tutorials with movie demos. It requires xp sp2 to run. File saves are unlimited, but import and export will cost you, and of course the standard watermark on the renders.

As with any cad program, don't expect to learn it in a day, going through the tutorials and instructions will take a while. Anyway, for personal use, it looks like it has all you need in one package.

These type of programs can be frustrating, so have patience. This is not a promotion, just a pointer to those interested.

Here is a couple of examples, i could of made it better, but gotta move on.

www.powershape-e.com/

Timothy D. Swieter

Nice renderings kelvin!

I have used various 3D packages over the past few years. Some were CAD/CAE based and others were modeling/rendering based. I wasn't ever an expert in any pacakge, but I think I passed the novice level in a couple of them. My problem is I used what ever package I was interested in at the time to accomplish the task I set out to do instead of sticking with one package.

Other software that the community could consider is 3D Studio Max (3DS Max now), TrueSpace, AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, and Alibre. Alibre is a CAE software that I like at the moment. There is a download that is limited some what, but provibes enough power to let you do what you want to learn the software. Oh yeah, don't forget about Blender. Blender is an open source, modeling and rendering software and is very powerful. Very!

I second the advice to have patience. 3D modeling programs can take a while to get familiar with the terminology, the interface, and the drawing skills. Stick with it though because it can be a lot of fun.

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Timothy D. Swieter

www.brilldea.com·- check out the uOLED-IOC, an I/O expansion for the uOLED-96-PROP
www.tdswieter.com

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One little spark of imagination is all it takes for an idea to explode

kelvin james

Thanks Tim

Yes, it takes a bit to get the right view, the materials and lighting, but it is learn as you go. I have not looked at the other cad software for some time, so i don't know the limitations of the free versions. I like how this is set up, it is basically fully functional, with some minor limitations. If you did want to export a model for manufacturing, paying the fee for a couple of hundred bucks is not bad, compared to thousands for a full version of the other programs out there.

Post Edited (kelvin james) : 3/21/2008 4:01:48 AM GMT

Dgswaner

Don't forget about sketchup. Sketchup is fast becoming an industry standard.... not this industry granted, but it's a 3d modeling package that you can learn in a day, and powerful enough that you'll use it for years. take a look at what it can do (with the right plug ins)

http://www.suplugins.com/gallery/index.html

did I mention it's free!

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"A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer." - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

DGSwaner

Post Edited (Dgswaner) : 3/21/2008 5:59:15 AM GMT

kelvin james

Sketchup costs $495 for the full version allowing exports of models to other formats, though the free version has the advantage of allowing imports. Plugins are 3rd party purchases.

Timothy D. Swieter

I forgot about Sketchup. With any free program it all depends on what you want to accomplish. Yes, I would recommend sketchup too. It isn't CAE, but it is a good 3D program.

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Timothy D. Swieter

www.brilldea.com·- check out the uOLED-IOC, an I/O expansion for the uOLED-96-PROP
www.tdswieter.com

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One little spark of imagination is all it takes for an idea to explode