3D CAD software?

[SirPoonga]

Have you guys used any open source 3D CAD programs?  something that is mroe CAD like than just modelling.

[Howard_Casto]

I looked pretty hard back when peter and I were discussing conversions of the arcade models.  Unfortunately, I don't remember running across a single modeler that was cad oriented and free.  Most were simply generic modelers and really bad ones at that. 

[JoyMonkey]

I had a look around a while ago for an easy to use CAD program that used real units of measurement (inches or mm) and could do 3D projections, but couldn't find anything. At least nothing shareware that's readily available.

I used to use Lightwave and 3DS Max, but those braincells of mine were killed off a long time ago during several binge drinking episodes. They're a little overkill for my current purposes anyway.

There's got to be something out there... 

Maybe CadMai, ? Anyone tried it?

[GadgetGeek]

any of these fit the bill
http://www.linux.org/apps/all/Graphics/CAD/CAM.html

[elvis]

I used QCad to draw up my cabs, but it's 2D only.

Blender is a popular and free 3D modeller, but not CAD oriented.

The closest I've managed to find is Free-CAD:
http://free-cad.sourceforge.net/

But it's still a fair way off being complete (still in alpha stages).  Although the screenshots look promising for a full-blown 3D CAD package.

[Lilwolf]

When I was looking (ages ago now).

There where a few...  But most had one or more of these problems.

1) very very limited file formats.   

2) no textures <--- big one

3) just down right sucky. 

I stopped my first 3+ 3d projects just because I couldn't create models.  I ended up getting lucky with the arcade model project and some conversion programs...  (but then found that ATI + java/opengl just didn't work... dev system worked GREAT... my cabinet 2fps...sigh)

[elvis]

3D Studio Max, Alias Wavefront Maya, and SideFX Houdini all have "learning" editions available for free from their respective websites.  They have fewer features or limited rendering features (eg: watermarks showing that they are learning versions not for commercial use), but are generally fully functional for most people's needs.

Again, these are 3D modellers/renderers and not CAD packages.  So if you want super-fine accuracy and dimensioning abilities, then these aren't for you.  If instead all you want to do is make pretty pictures with nice juicey textures, then these are more up your alley.

Alias Maya Personal Learning Edition:
http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/maya_ple/index.shtml

SideFX Houdini Apprentice:
http://www.sidefx.com/apprentice/index.html

Discreet 3Studio Max "GMAX":
http://www4.discreet.com/gmax/

Enjoy!

[locash]

something that is mroe CAD like than just modelling.

What features are you looking for when you say this?

I really like Blender as an open source 3D modeling tool.  And I seem to remember that someone in that community was working on a script called BlenderCAD, but I don't know what it was supposed to do.

Try blender.org (development site) or elysiun.com (blender user community) for more information.

[SirPoonga]

Modelling is one thing, doing a 3D to spec measurements is different.

[Lilwolf]

If you dont' care about a 3d perfect shaded output... You might have good results with some of those older programs that you see in the shareware/99c racks. 

TurboCAD used to work great for me... and I think you can get old versions for free / nothing.  But they wont render the output...  They might output to a format that other free software will render for you though.

[Lilwolf]

btw, turbocad new is going for 40 bucks.   Version or so old on ebay are 12-15

[DYNAGOD]

i recomend getting a demo of solidworks 2005.
this is what i use at work.
its extremely easy to get into for a beginner, but has the potential and power to take you as far as you want to take it.. solidworks is the number one design and engineering package in the world..
theres a twenty minute tutorial to get you up and running included that will lay out all the basics. its extremely intuitive to use.. 
you model you part using real world numbers, then drag and drop your model into a  blueprint. in a few minutes you have dimensioned the part and have made engineering drawings for manufacture..
it does everything but build it for you