[simpits-tech] FreeCAD

[Cris Harrison]

On 10/01/2014 10:23 AM, geneb wrote:
> On Wed, 1 Oct 2014, Brian Sikkema wrote:
>
>>> It's pretty good for a free tool, but you might want to check out
>>> DesignSpark Mechanical.  They took SpaceClaim and stripped the export down
>>> to STL only and give it away in order to promote it for use with 3D
>>> printers.
>> I will check that out, too. Looks interesting at first glance, not sure
>> if it's quite what I'd want, though. From what little I've played with
>> it so far and the few videos I've watched, FreeCAD's parametric modeling
>> style looks very similar to what I'm used to from my prior engineering
>> CAD experience.
>>
> Yeah, the workflow can be a bit weird.  It's very similar to SketchUp (in
> my limited experience with both).
>
>>> An inexpensive option would be Cubify Design.
>>> http://cubify.com/Products/Design
>> One thing I've always hated about CAD... $200 is considered the
>> "inexpensive" option. lol
>>
> One thing you have to look forward to after you get out of the AF is being
> able to buy SolidWorks for about $150.  See here:
> https://store.solidworks.com/veteran/default.php?command=Step1
>
> If there's any vets on this list, you really should take advantage of this
> discount program.  It beats using Pirate Bay or coughing up $10k for the
> "full" version of SW.
>
>> And yes, I've definitely planned on getting one of the Space controllers.
> Before I got my first SpaceBall, I'd have horrible wrist pain after using
> Inventor for a few hours.  Once you get used to that little magic
> controller, you never go back. :)
>
> Brian, if you've used Inventor in the past, I would REALLY recommend you
> check out SolidWorks by any means neccessary. :)  The workflow is SO much
> better than Inventor.
>
> g.
>
>
beware it only runs on x86 MSWindows at this time No Linux..BOOO!!
~~Cris