Free CAD Program for Students???

[,4lex S.]

Thanks for the help.

I have been asked for hardware specs, so:
256 Mb Ram
1.7 GHz Celeron Processer
20 Gb Remaining Storage
Terrible Video Card... (From 2000)
Makes me cry, I have to give it a kick to start sometimes...
I should be upgrading to a new computer this summer though.

I guess I forgot about Alibre, a member of our CAD team used to use it. Does the Express version have the modelling ability of Inventor (I don't really need all the flashy features, like rendering and dynamic simulation)? AutoCad is expensive too, and the free version has no 3D in my experience. I don't really know which Free programs to trust, but Alibre seems alright.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by ,4lex S.

Thanks for the help.

I have been asked for hardware specs, so:
256 Mb Ram
1.7 GHz Celeron Processer
20 Gb Remaining Storage
Terrible Video Card... (From 2000)
Makes me cry, I have to give it a kick to start sometimes...
I should be upgrading to a new computer this summer though.

I guess I forgot about Alibre, a member of our CAD team used to use it. Does the Express version have the modelling ability of Inventor (I don't really need all the flashy features, like rendering and dynamic simulation)? AutoCad is expensive too, and the free version has no 3D in my experience. I don't really know which Free programs to trust, but Alibre seems alright.

If you upgrade the RAM to at least 1Gb, you should at least be able to model parts, although modeling assemblies with more than a few dozen parts will be more or less impossible. If you are getting a new computer in a few months, I'd suggest just waiting until then and then taking advantage of the free SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar student free/discount software.

Also, it's probably better to stick with the student versions of some of the better known software names out there, such as SolidWorks, Pro/E, Inventor, CATIA, Unigraphics (NX), or SolidEdge, or in other words CAD applications used in industry. That way, you gain experience in software that you will use in college and beyond, as opposed to some random CAD software that no one has ever really heard of.

If you are looking for SolidWorks, you can pick up a two year student license (without COSMOS) for $60-$80, and with COSMOS for about $140.
http://www.gradware.com/product/view..._campaign=ce02

[R.C.]

Contact Marie, she should be able to hook you up with a copy or something for solidworks.

[PTC_FRC]

As discussed in other posts, all FIRST teams can download free seats of Pro/ENGINEER.

To access the free seats of Pro/ENGINEER would require your team lead to register for a project space. The project space is a virtual folder for teams to manage their design, documents, meetings, etc. It becomes the master copy of all things related to the team. Available via the web, teams have access to this info 24/7 via the internet. From the project, you can also download Pro/ENGINEER and Mathcad for your team use. The license of Pro/ENGINEER is perpetual and does not expire.

To register for your team project, please have the team lead fill out the following form – www.ptc.com/go/frcregistration

As for hardware requirements, here is a link to the Pro/ENGINEER Schools Edition requirements

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/wcms/st...&icg_dbkey=841

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email at mfischer@ptc.com.

Regards,
Mark Fischer

[mplanchard]

You can get a copy of SolidWorks - just go to www.solidworks.com/SponsoredDesignContest and fill out the form on the right side. We do not do a download for robot teams - we ship a DVD.
If you want to perform stress analysis or motion analysis on your robot please say so. We will have a 64bit student version this summer.

There are many FIRST teams that use SolidWorks - more importantly there are many companies that use SolidWorks. SolidWorks skills are good to have in your background as an design engineer. Marie