So I was talking with some other people about CAD systems the other day, and the subject of open source came up. Does anyone know of any good open source CAD programs? I couldn’t think of any, but I’m sure there are some out there.
Open source seems to be most lacking in the area of “creation software” Though there have been a few inroads into areas like digital imaging (the GIMP) and sound editing (I think…), there are no real solid pieces of software for CADD and other creation software. The largest and most succesful project that I have heard of is QCAD. I have never used it, but I hear it is pretty good for light CAD work.
There’s also Blender, although it’s really a rendering/animation package, not a CAD program. I’ve certainly heard of QCAD, and there are a few others; see http://www.tech-edv.co.at/lunix/CADlinks.html for a good list. As for real parametric 3D CAD programs, though, there really don’t seem to be any (yet).
gschem is a pretty nice CAD tool.
Remember, MechE’s aren’t the only one that do CAD 
i know it isn;t open source per say but RHINO is really close… a seat of the software is really cheap and there are literally thousands of plug-ins written by the public. but the interesting thing about this is that the compaiy who makes RHINO takes alot of the plug ins and makes them normal componets of the next build
I think FIRST supplies CAD software, and a few liscensed copies to give out. I am not sure, but i think thats what we have.