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Which CAD package?

Posted by dc42

dc42

Which CAD package?
January 01, 2014 12:40PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 14,672

Can anyone advise me which is the best free CAD package for a novice like me to learn, so that I can design my own objects? I run apps mostly under Windows 7.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2014 12:40PM by dc42.

Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].

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kwikius

Re: Which CAD package?
January 01, 2014 12:44PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 256

FreeCAD is pretty good, especially if you are into Python. Also OpenSCAD, especially if you are into "C". OpenSCAD stuff can be embedded into FreeCAD.

regards
Andy

Ormerod #318
www.zoomworks.org - Free and Open Source Stuff smiling smiley

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Number 192

Re: Which CAD package?
January 01, 2014 01:33PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 27

David,

I used Google SketchUp to draw the nozzle mounting. It's free for the basic version and there's a STL plug-in on Git-Hub,
The software is simple to use - I drew the mounting in about half an hour from installing the software.
There's loads of tutorials online to help get you started.

Regards,

Simon

RS Ormerod No 192

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Treth

Re: Which CAD package?
January 01, 2014 02:16PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 314

You should also investigate DesignSpark Mechanical from RS Components [www.designspark.com].
I'm new to it, but it seems very intuitive.
It is apparently a special version from SpaceClaim and has some limitations compared to their commercial products, but it seems a complete solution for 3D printing and totally free.

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iamburny

Re: Which CAD package?
January 01, 2014 02:24PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 265

I also being a newbie designer was shocked how easy tinkercad is to use, even my kids (6 & 8yrs) have drawn things for me to print out.

its completely web based and exports STL's that go nicely into Slic3r.

I'd recommend giving it at least a passing glance, maybe even complete the excellent newbie tutorial smiling smiley

www.tinkercad.com

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