paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jan 22, 2007 10:36:11 GMT
Added a link to a great FREE 2D CAD program to the model Engineering area of my links section here... www.artefact-rescue.co.uk/links.php?lng=enIt's called A9CAD - make sure you get the free rather than pro version (unless you want to buy it!) |
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Jan 24, 2007 17:00:21 GMT
Hi paul,
thanks for the link, I was going to bring the last copy of model eng in for the address in it, but you saved me the effort. I've just downloaded the free version, which looks a lot like autocad light, but witout the paper space option and without the text editing keys.
I don't know if it is just my machine, but it is really slow to load even moderate sized .dwg files and I've not managed to save one yet. will keep you updated on how it goes.
Keith
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Post by ilvaporista on Jan 25, 2007 12:57:00 GMT
OK it's not free but I found ExtraCAD 6 on sale at 10 Euros, about £6, and it does everything I want in 2 and 3D.
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Jan 25, 2007 17:04:58 GMT
Years ago there were a lot of, i think Malaysian cad packages for very little money. These appeared to be plagarised copies of almost the latest AutoCad version. I don't know if these still exist with more current versions.
Another which still seems to be in existence is Fastcad and the cutdown version "easycad". years ago fastcad lived up to its name and really could open 3d drawings e.g. 3d OS maps, in a fraction the time that Autocad used to take. I don't know whether it is still worth looking at or not.
Will certainly look at extracad.
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Post by havoc on Jan 25, 2007 19:36:12 GMT
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jan 25, 2007 21:49:08 GMT
Looks good Havoc but a shame the 'community' version doesn't come as a windows binary (I have use of a couple of Linux boxes where I could build from source but not at home where I'd want to use this).
Anyone else know of any FREE CAD programs?
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jan 25, 2007 22:01:51 GMT
Opensource one coming: avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/There are plenty of abandoned projects on SourceForge but I can't find any other current ones. |
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Post by chameleonrob on Jan 25, 2007 22:13:34 GMT
Years ago there were a lot of, i think Malaysian cad packages for very little money. These appeared to be plagarised copies of almost the latest AutoCad version. I don't know if these still exist with more current versions. when I as a student a few years ago I heard that Autodesk didn't mind pirate copies of autocad in use by students as it meant that they went out into industry knowing how to use their software which increased the chances that autocad being bought by the companies involved, how true this I don't know but I've had access to four versions at one time or another. rob |
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jan 25, 2007 22:32:35 GMT
Rob, (as you may know) it's easy to get hold of cracked/serialed commercial software these days but I prefer to stick to legitimate open-source or freeware. I especially dislike applications that have a stranglehold on their market sector (AutoCAD, Photoshop, Dreamweaver etc) particularly when they get shovelled down the throat of students as 'the' program to use.
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Jan 26, 2007 12:31:13 GMT
There were a lot of cracked copies of AutoCad 2000 around. I never dared load it although i was given a couple of disks.
A "friend" who did use it said never to use the help or to be ready to pull the network cable out if you accidentally activated it as it went straight onto the net.
I'd much prefer to use legit shareware or lower cost legit packages (which are hopefully a lot easier to use than autodesk's unforgiving beast).
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Jan 26, 2007 15:41:40 GMT
While we are thinking about freeware CAD, Photomodeler used to do a free ware version of their photogrammetry software (building a scale 3d cad model from photographs) they removed support from it a while back, but I managed to get a copy off the net.
I've got the full working package (pricy and it doesn't allow 3d viewing of the photo's, but the alternatives that do cost more than a car), but my good lady has the computer with her in Scotland at the moment. The intention was to use it to build rendered 3d wireframes of a friend's antique Adams revolvers.... Good intentions and all that....
Now to the Free ware versions.
There is a web based package called "Arpenteur" intended for architectural photogrammetry which does allow 3d veiwing.
The all singing all dancing one is a mining related package called "sirovision" their web site is worth a visit but the price was about £14k when I was looking at it for work.
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Post by havoc on Jan 26, 2007 19:13:04 GMT
Oh well, didn't look that hard. I'm a linux user so I never looked further. Maybe look around a bit on this site: www.freecad.com/And if anyone knows where to find a good 3D CAD for linux, not based on Autocad, let me know. I'm still looking... |
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Post by geoffd on Jan 29, 2007 17:17:49 GMT
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jan 29, 2007 18:08:56 GMT
My favourite is the low-poly 3D modeller Wings3D, fast and easiest to use IMHO. Doesn't have any CAD application though  |
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Mar 7, 2007 18:02:41 GMT
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Post by alanstepney on Mar 7, 2007 20:44:35 GMT
javacad.sourceforge.net/might be useful to some people. Very small download and file size, and, I am told, easy to learn. Also, FREE.
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bazp
Active Member
Mooooooooo!
Posts: 17
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Post by bazp on Mar 8, 2007 9:51:26 GMT
The best I've found is ProDesktop, but I don't think its available for free. The only occasions I have used AutoCad I found it to be horrendous. SolidWorks and AutoSketch are ok.
I spent 18 months working on the design for a 5" gauge shay, and was most annoyed when my pc crashed and now I can't get at any of it. The wonders of modern technology!
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