3D Cad Software

TylerDurden

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Wear the fox hat.
Lotta software out there... some is free, some is useful...

Here is a newcomer that might be both, depending on your needs.
http://www.designspark.com/eng/page/mechanical


It is direct-editing, similar to Sketchup:

520b7d3fde2c4fc8ac701abd0ab30621



UN-like Sketchup, it outputs some useful filetypes:
522706ed23c84f61824f320b0ab30198


It will import STEP files, but not export them.

If you're on a tight budget, Designspark Mechanical might be suitable.


I downloaded it (450MB) but, I haven't tried it yet.



Update:

Tried it a bit... quite nice for a free 3D application.

This is not exactly "new", this is a spinoff of Spaceclaim.
http://www.deskeng.com/virtual_desktop/?p=7531#more-7531
 
Here's another:
http://solvespace.com/index.pl

front-page-pic.png


From the site:
  • Release 2.0 is available for download, now as GPL'd free software.

    SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3d CAD program. Applications include:

    modeling 3d parts — draw with extrudes, revolves, and Boolean (union / difference) operations
    modeling 2d parts — draw the part as a single section, and export DXF, PDF, SVG; use 3d assembly to verify fit
    3d-printed parts — export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers
    preparing CAM data — export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining
    mechanism design — use the constraint solver to simulate planar or spatial linkages, with pin, ball, or slide joints
    plane and solid geometry — replace hand-solved trigonometry and spreadsheets with a live dimensioned drawing

(I've not tried it yet.)
 
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