CAD Software:
We've found 3D solid modelling software indispensable for designing our mechanical systems. We've used SolidWorks for the past several years, and SW has served us very well.
This year, I'll be exploring converting to a new software: "Onshape". This is a new CAD modeling software where all the computing is done “in the cloud”; computing is done by servers through the internet and does not require special computers or licensing on the computer = no IT overhead. Onshape also has new collaboration tools/capability similar to Google Drive and Google Docs. Onshape is FREE and easy to gain access. See here:
Onshape- The Future of CAD
We'll be converting to Onshape and using it for this project. My son has worked with Onshape more than me, and thinks we'll still need SW for some of the functionality not yet available in the current beta version. We'll see...