4 replies to this topic

[taerKitty]

Just got this in the mail when I downloaded their Alibre Design basic package:

From: Cyle Caplinger <cylec@alibre.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 9, 2010 at 7:47 AM
Subject: RE: I'm your contact at Alibre - Alibre Design 3D CAD
To: taerkitty <taerkitty@*&#@!!l.com>

Taer,

There is no Alibre Design Xpress anymore. It was replace a little over a month ago by the Personal edition of Alibre Design which is only $99 and includes a fully functional 3d modeling module as well as a basic drawing module. Right now we are including the entire training video suite for free which we normally sell for $149. If you have any questions or would like to take advantage of the current promotion please let me know.

Cyle

So, anyone have any other suggestions for a free/open source CAD package that has equivalent features and ease-of-use? No serialz, please.

[Doom]

Have you tried downloading Alibre Design Xpress elsewhere? I don't know if you have to register it or anything, but if you don't, there's your solution. (I guess this is out. See CS's reply below.)

BRL-CAD is a very capable system that is open source. Unfortunately, I can't say it's easy to use.

FreeCAD looks like an easier to use system, but it is relatively new and I can't say how capable it is. I have not used FreeCAD.

At one time I tried a free 3D CAD program for Linux called GraphiteOne. This is no longer available as far as I can tell.

CS mentioned Sketchup, which is an option. I've also seen people use more generic 3D modeling software like Blender.

For 2D drawings, I use QCad. QCad Community Edition is free for Linux. Others have made Windows builds of it.

I use Pro/ENGINEER Schools Edition for 3D CAD. Pro/ENGINEER is a very capable system, but it's not free. I got a copy for free through some weird deal with my university. I don't think they do that any longer.

Edit: Here are a few other things I've found through some searches:

http://www.ptc.com/o.../tryout/pe2.htm
http://www.gcad3d.org/

Edited by Doom, 09 June 2010 - 12:35 PM.

[CaptainSlug]

Unfortunately the only remaining option I'm aware of is sketchup.

And any copy of Alibre will require network validation. It's not likely to run if your computer does not have internet access, but you could try it.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 09 June 2010 - 12:14 PM.

[Meaker VI]

Sketchup is great and could model anything, though it is not a solid-type modeler.

Rhino is another good modeler (again, not necessarily solid), but I don't think it's completely free (pretty cheap though if I'm remembering right.)

Look into Autodesk's student programs, you can usually get free-for-students crippleware from them of all of their major programs (AutoCad, Inventor, etc.).

I wouldn't recommend Blender for these purposes. It's not good for measured things and is difficult for people who don't have experience to pick up.

Sketchup, Rhino, and Inventor (and, depending for flat drawing, CAD too) are all on the "easy" end of the modeling spectrum, with Sketchup being easiest and, last I used it, Inventor being the most forgiving. Blender and Maya are on the "hard" end.

[Draconis]

For just making templates, I am quite happy with QCAD. Not so much for 3D, though.