anyone know of a free solid modelling software ?

[ronan]

i had a copy of solidworks 2010-11 on a student licence , my licence is now over and i can no longer use the software , is there anything like solidworks i can get for free or for a small fee ? solidworks licences are too expensive. i don't need anything as powerful as solidworks either , just something to do simple assemblies in.

thanks

 

[slim_boy_fat]

How about http://www.cadstd.com/
or http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/http://http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/

 

[ronan]

thanks slim boy , i found a modelling software from delcam , ever heard of it ?

http://www.delcam.com/downloads/powershape-e/

 

[slim_boy_fat]

No, but the page you link to indicates it won't work with certain software.....

 

[BrokenBiker]

i was going to offer my copy of raydream 3d, but i cant find the activation disk. but if you can find a free download of it, its quite an easy to use cad system, and will animate things exactly the same as the more expensive systems

 

[Wedg1e]

Rumour has it that certain peer-to-peer filesharing networks can provide a copy of Solidworks - not a recent one admittedly, something like 2007...

I have SW 2010 on my work PC but my home one isn't powerful enough to run it, so I make do with 2007.

 

[ronan]

Rumour has it that certain peer-to-peer filesharing networks can provide a copy of Solidworks - not a recent one admittedly, something like 2007...

I have SW 2010 on my work PC but my home one isn't powerful enough to run it, so I make do with 2007.

I have never been able to get any good of the sort of thing you're talking about wedgie, i think its a scam to get spyware and trojans on your computer and thats all.
i don't see why solidworks don't sell an old (five years plus maybe) version of their software for home or amateur use, they'd make a few bob and we'd be happy doodling and designing on it.

 

[bigbadbugga]

I have never been able to get any good of the sort of thing you're talking about wedgie, i think its a scam to get spyware and trojans on your computer and thats all.
i don't see why solidworks don't sell an old (five years plus maybe) version of their software for home or amateur use, they'd make a few bob and we'd be happy doodling and designing on it.

I agree, would be good to have a cut down version for amateur use. A bit like photoshop elements is a cut down version of the full photoshop.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Just a head's up, please don't discuss illegal sharing of software publicly on here, if you must discuss it do it via PM.
Ta.

 

[ronan]

I just got a password via email for the delcam thats in the link above , its free and anyone can get it , i'll see what its like.

 

[Wedg1e]

Just a head's up, please don't discuss illegal sharing of software publicly on here, if you must discuss it do it via PM.
Ta.

Fair point, wrist duly slapped

Ronan, PM me and I'm sure I can :cough: 'help out'...

 

[ronan]

i just got the delcam running , it takes a while to get a password from the company , it looks good and is great when you consider its free.

 

[BrokenBiker]

ive just downloaded draftsight's latest version for this yeear, and dear god its hard to get used to

 

[BrokenBiker]

well, im baffled with it, ive set my units to mm, and set the values of 1 length to 0.5mm, then draw a line 2mm long, and it appears somewhere completely random on the screen, at a 20:1 scale, and i can find no way of changing the scale to 1:1, and it doesnt mention it in the help section. think im gonna give delcam a go instead lol

 

[ronan]

i am sort of answering my own question here a bit , i found and downloaded a program earlier today that does solid modelling called Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Express 4.0, it looks good and is completely free and legal. http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/

also from autodesk there is a free design/modelling program called 123d , i haven't downloaded it yet, so can't comment on how good or bad it is. http://www.123dapp.com/

finally alibre does a good solid modelling program called alibre design pe , pe for personal edition , you do have to pay a licence for it, the licence is less than 200 euros , i have downloaded a free 30 day trial , i have been messing about with it and its very similar to earlier editions of solidworks. http://www.alibre.com/products/hobby/

maybe if these programs are of interest to others they could be stickied by the moderator ? what cad/cam/modelling programs are available seems to be a very common question. all the above are legal and not peer to peer or anything.

 

[Dev]

Google sketchup is pretty good once you get used to the keyboard shortcuts.