FREE cad software

[ronan]

Just seen this on another forum, Its called ONSHAPE, and you can get a free licence if you are a hobbiest or for home use. I haven't tried it yet , so i don't know if its any cop.

https://www.onshape.com/

https://www.onshape.com/product-tour

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvd5lUSLtTH8Qcd7Pl1nQg/videos

 

[julianthegypsy]

I shall point my son at it. My poor head will go pop if I try another CAD system. If son gives it the thumbs up I shall have a look. The site looks slick, it's whether its intuitive or not that does it for me. I find most CAD programmes have a learning curve like a brick wall. Currently use design spark which is ok but has some annoying foibles...

 

[ronan]

I actually think i got that wrong. You don't download software onto your computer as such, you work online and can access your work from anywhere. Another computer etc.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I'm using Draftsight at the moment but I'm off to a free introduction to Solidworks in October, it's for a morning and you get a free breakfast!!!

 

[ronan]

I'm using Draftsight at the moment but I'm off to a free introduction to Solidworks in October, it's for a morning and you get a free breakfast!!!

I learned the limited amount of cad i know with solidworks, its a pity they don't do a hobby or home version.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I might look into this one myself, thanks.

For the record, anyone looking for it as an app for their Windows phone, please note I found 'Onshape' in the store and downloaded it. Unfortunately it is a disguise for a different app called Instashape. So dont waste your time. From what I can tell, Onshape might be considering it for Windows phone, but doesnt seem to be available yet. It seems there is a version for Android and Apple though.

 

[ronan]

Had a quick play with it, seems easy enough to use, but maybe someone who is a bit more expert could tell us what they think ?

 

[Wedg1e]

I learned the limited amount of cad i know with solidworks, its a pity they don't do a hobby or home version.

I've been using AutoCAD since R13 (now on 2008 in the office and 2013 on my laptop), got hold of Solidworks and felt like I'd never used a CAD package in my life!

 

[ronan]

I've had all those and got rid of them, designspark is very good and completely free. Autocad is like something you would have had in the 70's, but they have a solid modelling programme now too which i hear is very good.

 

[ukracer]

I've been using AutoCAD since R13 (now on 2008 in the office and 2013 on my laptop), got hold of Solidworks and felt like I'd never used a CAD package in my life!

Does that mean it's good or bad...lol

 

[ronan]

What used to get up my nose about autocad was the layers thing, and although i used it quite a bit, i never was very happy with it.

 

[Wedg1e]

What used to get up my nose about autocad was the layers thing, and although i used it quite a bit, i never was very happy with it.

Hmmm, I find it quite useful when drawing stuff like a mile of pipeline with all its supports, fittings, dimensions etc... can put all the bits on different layers and turn them on or off as needed.

 

[Wedg1e]

Does that mean it's good or bad...lol

Just seems a lot more complicated and uses different terminology so have to re-learn even the simple stuff. I guess it's what you get used to; if I didn't have ACAD I'd just have to go with whatever else was there.

 

[Kent]

Anyone use a drawing board

 

[lshigham]

Anyone use a drawing board

Yes! it's all I can use

 

[HughF]

I use draft sight for work and play. I'm starting to play with fusion360 from auto desk, the cam offering inside it is awesome and it's free for makers, educators, one man bands etc.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Yes! it's all I can use

That's what I grew up with, but it works completely differently to CAD! I'd still use it now, but if I give the laser cutters an actual drawing, they'd have to charge me to put it on a CAD drawing so their machine could understand it. I do like some of the things I can do on design spark, and the quality of my work has definitely improved since I started drawing and laser cutting, but I'm still not comfortable with it.

 

[ronan]

I'm starting to play with fusion360 from auto desk, the cam offering inside it is awesome and it's free for makers, educators, one man bands etc.

Just went on their website, its only free for students and educators.