Solid works or similar?

[Projects14a]

Ive noticed many on here seem to use Solid Works in order to design their projects, is there a version that is available free? Or something that has similar functionality?
I'd like to get myself familiar with this sort of design tool to help with some of my projects.

Thanks!

 

[Hitch]

Sketch-up is reasonably popular for initial designs.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Ive noticed many on here seem to use Solid Works in order to design their projects, is there a version that is available free? Or something that has similar functionality?
I'd like to get myself familiar with this sort of design tool to help with some of my projects.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, Solidworks costs shedloads and there's no free version available (unless you know where to look )

 

[Archie]

Autodesk Inventor is pretty good and can be got for free if you're a student. Personally, I find SketchUp a bit of a PITA but then it is free!

 

[Luke]

Sketchup is pretty rubbish, especially once you've used SW.

You can get SW pretty cheap if you're a student, too.

 

[Welderpaul]

Unfortunately, Solidworks costs shedloads and there's no free version available (unless you know where to look )

Some very kind gent on here sent me a version. Still going strong.
Very good programme. Can produce impressive drawings which at tender stage can easily win you a job over competitors who send in a back of fag packet drawing.

 

[Hitch]

I never got into sketchup myself. I use Autocad.

 

[Luke]

I use AutoCad at work, and I think it's fair to say I wouldn't want to use either for what i do in the other, if that makes sense.

 

[araspitfire]

I was pretty good at Autocad (r12) once....

I use Sketchup now as it is way better than r12 at 3D visualization... If I had to make some drawings up to send out, I'd be back into the Autocad though...

Al...

 

[engybenjy]

Some very kind gent on here sent me a version. Still going strong.
Very good programme. Can produce impressive drawings which at tender stage can easily win you a job over competitors who send in a back of fag packet drawing.

I believe I shall stand next to you, sending that certain gent a round of applause also

 

[Projects14a]

Wow, just playing about with ketchUp and im very impressed for a free application! Of course its not the same as a professional tool, but for a quick and easy application, its great! Obviously, at this stage im sure im not using even a quarter of its potentional, but look forward to learning
Thanks for the link

 

[Luke]

Wait until you want to actually adjust previous dimensions

 

[jimmy shoes]

i use ProDesktop for my projects, its probably not used these day, i learnt how to use it in school and cant be bothered to learn how to work Solidworks etc

 

[Projects14a]

Hmm... im finding it abit of a pain to try and re-size things. Is that what you mean? I wasn't sure if its just because im new to it.

 

[Luke]

exactly. it's biggest failing imho.

resizing works very well in SW.

 

[Archie]

That's why I don't like it. You would have thought the ability to change a dimension easily would be fairly essential in a CAD program!

 

[rtbcomp]

Google "Open Office" and look here http://www.cadstd.com/

 

[bucko]

we used inventor at college that was good and prity idot proof i have used UG at home and that's very good but a lot more complicated to use not shore how much it costs as it was a....

invetor was very easy to rough scech then change lenghs and angles after, on the whole i would say it was very easy to use

 

[araspitfire]

I believe I shall stand next to you, sending that certain gent a round of applause also

Be great if that certain gent was still around and would like to share again...

Al...

 

[Projects14a]

Indeed, exactly what i was thinking