Free CAD Program for Students???

[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