Free CAD Program for Students???
 

Before I ask this question, I should make it clear that I am aware of the free team related offerings of CAD programs. However, my computer is not able to handle the latest version of Inventor. My team is also finished with the design process for our season. I am looking for a free, or relatively inexpensive (< $50) CAD program to practice and design parts for my teams off-season activities on. I am experienced in Inventor and have dipped my big toe into Solidworks, but I can't find a near full version program I can download for free. I have considered Google Sketchup, but am unsure of its capabilities and would prefer SolidWorks or a similar program. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

Some members of my team who were finding it hard to run inventor had some luck running Alibre. It's not free, there's only a 30 day free (but fully functional, iirc) trial. But maybe have your PR team can secure you a sponsorship ;)

--Ryan

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

Al college students can get free versions of the latest inventor at students.autodesk.com Just sign up and then you can download for free. Otherwise, I used alibre until I got inventor. Alibre is basically inventor.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

You can get Solidworks for free as well, but if your computer can't handle Inventor it's not going to run Solidworks much better.

What are the specs on your computer? 6 or so years ago I was able to run Inventor 8 without much trouble on an 800 mhz P3 with 128 mb of RAM and integrated graphics without too much trouble (until I got into large assemblies).

Most relatively new computers should be able to handle light duty CAD work using Solidworks or Inventor.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

AutoCAD has some 3d modeling softwares out that you can buy for relatively cheap. Also, they generally have lower system requirements. However, it will probably be different then what you are used to. I'm told leans closer to solidworks then inventor but I really don't have any first hand experience. I might have to call a friend and see where he got his.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

AutoCAD and Inventor are both products of Autodesk. Inventor is their 3D modeling program. I'm not sure what other Autodesk program you've heard of (and none of their software is cheap).

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ditors_for_AEC

Maybe it's of some help to you.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

AutoCAD does have 3d modeling features. Most people don't use them for many reasons. Including the lack of dynamic testing. This is one of the reasons that they generally have lower system requirements. I have a friend that has a cheap version of AutoCAD on his laptop that he bought for less then $100. Also, he has modeled a go kart on it without any prior experience with drafting software. I think he got it at Office Max. Though, I can't seem to find it on the site now. It was a couple of years ago when he bought it.

Please do not perpetuate the negative stereotypes of AutoCAD such as: It can't do 3d. Simply, it can. Sorry, just tired of people telling me that this awesome software can't do half the stuff it can do.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

I never said it can't do 3D. It's pretty much indisputable that Inventor is marketed as Autodesk's 3D solution, regardless of whether AutoCAD has the capability to do 3D modeling. Your mention of it being more like Solidworks than Inventor made me think you were talking about some third software suite, as AutoCAD is nothing like Solidworks.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

I'm similarly tired of people perpetuating the stereotype that you can't build a boat from reeds, pitch and hemp. Seriously, if it was good enough for Thor Heyerdahl, why shouldn't Cunard be using it too?

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

Who says you can't build such a boat? Also, I think your trying to make a false analogy. We are nothing like Cunard. We are just trying to build a bot. NASA is more like Cunard in your analogy. We are more like Thor. We don't have always have the best tools in the world or the best funding, but we can certainly make do. I never said that AutoCAD had the best 3d. I'm just saying it has fully functioning 3d at a low cost.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

A9 Cad is free, but 2 dimensional.
http://www.a9tech.com/

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

I have been on the lookout for some free or low cost Cad programs and here is what I have found

CadStd - they have a free version and the paid version is only $37 cadstd.com

TurboCad
http://www.turbocad.com/TurboCAD/Tur...0/Default.aspx
Check Amazon and Newegg for prices

DoubleCad, but the same company as TurboCad (IMSI).
2D edition is free
http://www.doublecad.com/Products/Do...0/Default.aspx


Deltacad - cost around $40. supposed to be easy to learn and use. I don't have a url.

Brian

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

As Ryan pointed out above, Alibre is a capable tool. It is parametric 3D. On download of the Express verison, you get 30 day evaluation upgrade to the professional level tool. After 30 days, you have use of the Express version tool for unlimited time (free).

It will import STEP files, etc.

Re: Free CAD Program for Students???
 

It would be good to know your basic hardware specs (RAM and graphics card in particular) to understand the limitations with Inventor. The latest release should run fairly well on 1 Gb memory, especially if you turn of several of the default Add-ins.

Regards,
Pete
Autodesk Product Design