ChrisH-UK Posted July 22, 2017 Share Posted July 22, 2017 URL for Draftsight in post 1 gives an error, this one works though https://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyfoulger Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 another one for the list .... TinkerCAD. This is a browser only application that is free for non commercial use, seems to have a large 'customer base' and plenty of support via forums / youtube - hopefully this translates into 'its a good application' one really nice feature ... it includes a virtual Arduino simulator for those projects that you been meaning to test/develop but don't have the required hardware / bench space. It appears to have the standard Arduino IDE so your projects can be downloaded to the 'real thing' when you're ready. I've only followed the 3D tutorials so far, I haven't any significant experience of any other 3D packages to date so cannot comment on 'comparisons'. The drawing workspace does appear to be limited to a cube of 200mm - typical printer volume ? Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siltec Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I have been having a go at DesignSpark recently. While not perfect, it is free and looks like a good choice for components. It is Mechanical Design based so works to a few decimal places. I have not found out if 2D .dxf can be imported for extrusion. What looks good, especially for smaller parts is the ease with which a face can be set as the drawing plane. Extrusions are automatically subtracted through a solid. Most intuitive, of the freebies I have tried, so far. Still working at it, but is looking promising. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NScaleNotes Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Arriving at this thread a bit late but I've been using opensource FreeCAD (https://www.freecadweb.org/) for a while; mostly on Linux systems but there are also Windows and Apple versions. It's a very powerful 2D/3D CAD application but relatively easy to use with good online support forums and most importantly free for personal and commercial use. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold JCL Posted July 17, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 17, 2018 I found this list of free 3D CAD (etc) software this evening. https://all3dp.com/1/best-free-cad-software-2d-3d-cad-programs-design/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeysarefun Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 Another cheap way to get Solidworks is to join the Experimental Aircraft Association: https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-chapters/chaptergram-articles/2016-09-new-eaa-member-benefit-free-solidworks For 40 bucks US you get Solidworks for 'free' as one of the membership benefits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.