Thread: Free 3D CAD

I downloaded an earlier version a while ago - it has some good tutorials but, for my woodworking needs and CAD skills, I could not justify the cost. It is a computerised sketch pad in a sense and should be good for back of the envelope designers.
I will have to have a look - I still subscribe to their newsletter and the info is in their latest edition.
regards,

Originally Posted by gpsmith

I could not justify the cost.

Even the free version? :eek:

Cheers,

P (I often preach that free stuff isn't worth what you pay for it!)

dunno. I'm downloading the free version now - the older trial version had a 30 day or something licence. But the tutorials were well paced and easy to understand.

Midge,

Unless it has changed, I think the free version of Sketchup is only a trial version, which you can use free for a certain number of hours (I have forgotten how many). I downloaded and tried it, but it is not a fully featured CAD program - for example, it does not do Bezier curves or splined curves; its primary purpose is for architects to draw up quick sketches of buildings, and it seems to be fine for that, but, if you buy the program, it is actually quite expensive, about $400 from memory.

I think woodworkers would be better off getting the 2D version of TurboCAD, which is quite adequate for planning most woodworking projects. I have the 3D version, but the learning curve on 3D CAD is very steep, and it is probably not worthwhile, unless you intend producing 3D diagrams for publication.

Rocker

Hmm; perhaps I should have gone to the url that Midge gave before sounding off. This version of Sketchup does seem to be free and unlimited. Dunno if it does all that the full Sketchup did though.

I think the crucial point is that Sketchup is basically a modelling program for architects and designers to sketch dimensionless concepts; hence it is not strong on exact dimensions, angles, and geometry like a true CAD program.

Rocker

There's a list of the differences between Sketchup Google, and Sketchup 5 on their website. None of the features that have been removed would matter for woodworking purposes (things like organic terrain modelling, some advanced export options etc). I like Sketchup but I am far from an experienced user, over at Sawmill Creek there are a bunch of Sketchup enthusiasts so anyone interested might want to pop over there for some more information.

EDIT: Oh, and Sketchup deals with dimensions perfectly well.

Thanks for the tipoff Midge.

I have been carefully using my eight free hours to practice and now its free! Slight catch for me though, Mac version is not ready yet.

I think SketchUp could be quite usefull for drawing up woodwork projects.

I use the Movie Add-On in Google Earth Pro on a PC here at work (Architects) and being able to insert a 3D model will be fantastic. I'm assuming it will work with the Movie Option?

Thanks again for the link....

Originally Posted by Graham Sands

I think SketchUp could be quite usefull for drawing up woodwork projects.

It may be my big move into machine drawing! :eek: (Once the Mac version arrives of course!)

Mind you, MidgeCad Pro Lite has served me well all these years, and it would appear you are a (slightly) older dog than I, so maybe there is a new trick round the corner.

(Leave the smart replies for tomorrow Rocker! )

Cheers,

P

This is really cool. I downloaded the package, drew up a design, loaded up giggle earth, span the globe clockwise 3 times to get 3 days into the future then zoomed into the workshop - pity about the cruddy resolution or I would have been able to see what the model would look like in real life next week.

I figure they keep the resolution down so you can't read the newspapers and get the winning lotto numbers.

Yes Rocker, behave. Everyone else has open slather it seems. No not the orange room I meant an opportunity to tease Midge.
eh?
oh sorry I'll go and take my medicine now.

Groggy,

Get Google Earth Pro (unfortunately $200US).

With the extra resolution you won't need to build it?

Midge,

If only you didn't have an obsolete Mac you would be able to partition your disk and use Windows on one part and OS X on the other; then you would be able to use Google Earth, Google Sketchup, TurboCad, and all sorts of other goodies that you are presently excluded from

Rocker

Originally Posted by Rocker

Midge,

If only you didn't have an obsolete Mac you would be able to partition your disk and use Windows on one part and OS X on the other; then you would be able to use Google Earth, Google Sketchup, TurboCad, and all sorts of other goodies that you are presently excluded from

Rocker

Originally Posted by Rocker

Midge,

If only you didn't have an obsolete Mac you would be able to partition your disk and use Windows on one part and OS X on the other; then you would be able to use Google Earth, Google Sketchup, TurboCad, and all sorts of other goodies that you are presently excluded from

For those unfortunate beings, who seem to somehow survive without the benefit of a Windows platform, and who may not understand the light-hearted nature of the above, please go to the following links to download your Mac software:
Turbocad Mac
GoogleEarth Mac
Sketchup Mac Oh alright! Sketchup is coming soon (I guess they want to iron the bugs out before running it on the Rolls Royce!)

Cheers,

P