Free 3D CAD software

[Gui Cavalcanti]

I thought everyone in the FIRST competition might be interested in this:

X-CAD

These people are basically offering everyone who signs up a free license of their parametric modeling software (think Autodesk Inventor or Solidworks, except free). The catch is that 100,000 people have to sign up before August 1st; right now they're at 55,000. I know my team used to struggle with the single-license rules for the software that came with the kit, so this might be a good thing for low-budget teams.

I subbmitted my request

I hope many others will too before the offer expires

[[527]phil]

I registered too, hope enough people register

[Matt Krass]

I'm number 55,817! Come on people, click the link!

[Adam Richards]

55891! wewt

[sirbleedsalot]

I am number 55,892.

[sanddrag]

I dunno. It seems like a way to harvest e-mail addresses and information and stuff.

[wilshire]

yeah but still its worth the incentive. Its not everyday that you get free CAD software.

[spears312]

I mean this seems like an awesome offer, but I can't seem to find any images or real info about the software. Does any one have any links or such?

[Gui Cavalcanti]

Originally Posted by spears312

I mean this seems like an awesome offer, but I can't seem to find any images or real info about the software. Does any one have any links or such?

That's actually the point. If you read the FAQ and press releases, they're not telling anyone anything about the software. I'm under the impression it's viral marketing applied to CAD, which is... weird. When I say viral marketing, I don't actually mean computer viruses - I mean marketing campaigns spread by grassroots methods, word of mouth, and a good dose of mystery surrounding the people responsible. My guess is we won't know the true value of the software until (if) it's released to those who signed up. I figure I might as well give it a try, I haven't got much to lose other than an email address that's firewalled anyway.

[sanddrag]

It's wierd that they don't have a privacy policy or anything on their site. I'm sticking by the old saying "if it sounds too good to be true, it probabaly is." For all we know the software itself could have malicious components. Given the lack of any sort of information whatsoever, I'm not so ready to just jump right into this.

[spears312]

Well, I'm gonna give it a go. If it is just a e-mail harvest, I don't think I'll be in too much danger since I use a hotmail account externally. If it does lead to software tho, I may be a little leery to DL it till I know its clean.

[sanddrag]

From what I read, the program will be using Google Ads which has upset many people. Also, you need to be connected to the internet to use it to make sure you get the ads. I don't think it'll be that bad but they never said anything about ads in the original marketing.

[mechanicalbrain]

yeah it also makes you wonder what else they might add. still waiting for an email.

[half geek]

Since I don't run windows nor mac, I am always looking for alternatives to AutoCAD for use with robotics. I am just hoping this runs well under WINE. Has anybody tested this?