What do you guys use to design/visualize/test your ideas before building? I have some thoughts that I would like to turn into a 3D model before just winging it and welding a bunch of tubes together. Do any of you know of a cheap/ free CAD software program that is easy to use?

 

you looking for legit free or just free?



I have used autoCAD now for quite some time (over 10 years)



I downloaded the trial at home and then cracked it .. o.O



what type of model are you looking to create? and what are you looking to do with it? get design information from the model? test the model? really depends what you want to do with it on which software to use. if you just want something pretty to look at, autoCAD will do that well.



PTC has some free options. I could never get into working with them as I have been on AutoDesk product so long..



PTC 3D modelling its basic, but FREE and legit.. limited to certain things on the free version.



here is an example of some of the things you can do in autoCAD that i have done..



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nC3jd46lxg&list=UUlWz8Cpx-hueVe-81cweS7g&index=10&feature=plcp[/media]

 

Students.autodesk.com



Just about their entire offering can be had for free if you have a .edu email address.

 

I use Autodesk products, almost exclusively, and have been for 19 years now.



(Holy crap I'm old)

 

I love me some autoDesk products..



I really wish they would get some more autodesk stuff here at work