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3D CAD package suggestions
GaryM - 7/3/10 at 03:06 PM

I've just had a lot of fun learning Sketchup. It seems great for modeling buildings but now I want to have a go at modeling my locost chassis.

Can anyone suggest a suitable 3D CAD package for me to progress onto?

(Free or Shareware would be preferable)

Cheers
Gary

Hammerhead - 7/3/10 at 03:22 PM

solidworks seems pretty good for taht sort of thing. or 3dsmax for more artistic renderings

tegwin - 7/3/10 at 03:56 PM

Get your hands on Solidworks 2010... Its pretty damn impressive!

minitici - 7/3/10 at 04:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Get your hands on Solidworks 2010... Its pretty damn impressive!


.... and a pretty damn impressive price!

I use TurboCad Pro but that is mainly due to the fact that I use a mac.

Miks15 - 7/3/10 at 04:09 PM

I would also recomend solidworks, but as said is quite expensive, so if anyone knows anywhere to get a free copy i would also like to know

JekRankin - 7/3/10 at 04:21 PM

You can download Autodesk Inventor for free from their site if you're a student (or if you know someone who will let you use their uni email address to sign up/register it with!). Solidworks might do a similar thing too?

Miks15 - 7/3/10 at 04:35 PM

i dont think solidworks do, i think you can just get a student version which is cheaper, but still pretty expensive

Litemoth - 7/3/10 at 05:26 PM

Autocad...Lots of support and it's pretty commonly available...

'Inventor' if you want to go for gold

They're both 'Autodesk' products and available as 30 day trials I think.

loggyboy - 7/3/10 at 05:54 PM

Nothing wrong with sketchup for the chassis. Utilise components and layers and you'll be well away.

gingerprince - 7/3/10 at 06:23 PM

Tried this?

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=131361

FreeCAD.

eddie99 - 7/3/10 at 07:10 PM

Another vote for Solidworks if you can afford it, its great!

Ian-B - 7/3/10 at 08:50 PM

Worth considering Alibre www.alibre.com I have been using it for several years for complete car design. Its now low cost <£100 for standard version (there is a free limited version but not really suitable for doing a complete car).

Ian