Autodesk also makes a light version of Autocad called Autosketch, around $250.

I found the pro version of Via Cad at Office Max for about $250.

What I am trying to figure out is if it is worth it. The advertisement on the back brags that it is better than Autocad, but any advertiser worth his money would try to convince the buyers that their product is the best on the shelf.

What I want to find out before I buy is if it really is a comparable product. As I understand it, Autocad is the industry standard. After all, I don't see Autocad bragging that it can save a file in another company's filetype.

Drew

Autodesk always did value their product much more highly than many consider reasonable.

There is an alternative, ZWCad, that appears to be capable of doing almost all of the same things, in pretty much the same way, as Autocad, and for a lot less money too. Could be worth a look.

What are then intended uses of the models generated? Are they for personal use? Professional use? Will they be shared among people with a need to modify the models?

If you need to use models only personally a less expensive program may be just fine for your needs, as well the extent of "extras" such as stress analysis and some of the more complicated model generation techniques may be excessive for your needs. As well if only being used personally you may be able to purchase a student edition with your enrollment in a engineering graphics class.

If you are planning to use it for personal gain, ethically you would/should need something more than a student edition. And if you plan to share files I would look into testimonials about the effectiveness of "exporting files as .DWG" any non-compatibility issues between programs can be HUGE headaches requiring on occasion total model rebuilds. (an example i can think of is auxiliary drawing axis' being saved differently causing rendering incompatibilities, as well in my senior design class we were using a finite element analysis program to evaluate our designed part and getting Solidworks to export to ANSYS required renaming the model as a ProE model and checking that nothing had messed up in ProE before analyzing with the FEA program, pain in my a**)

I fortunately have had occasion to use Solidworks Pro and Student Edition, ProEngineer student Edition and Autodesk Pro. I am by no means proficient in these but all are exceptional programs. I ask what the program will be used for because the amount you need to pay may be justified for a better quality program. Although for projects around the house, carpentry mostly, I have used a free CAD google released at one point which was incredibly simple and limited, but for my uses sufficed.

With a little more explanation of what uses you may encounter perhaps we can all suggest which programs may fit the bill better. For instance some programs are more beneficial to use for surface modelling versus a integrated assembly meshing moving parts together for analysis.

-T

I haven't tried these so I can't give you any opinion on them, but take a look here for some free ones.

Take a look at TurboCAD you can download a 30 trial period. Make decision from that.

http://www.imsidesign.com/

YES - DOUBLECAD is the Ticket (only 2D - but is essentially AutoCAD LT, arguably better in some respects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhino, no question the best

Hi Drew,

Do you want it for 2D or 3D design?

I use Alibre Design Standard (3D) which I got for $500. For what I do, it's quite sufficient and I have become fairly proficient. They do have a limited-features version that you can download for free:

http://mkt.alibre.com/l/1004/2009-10-30/FL8D9

Mike

Hello Mike,

Yep Alibre is super and Siemens 2D free full function is cool to the touch too.

I appreciate all the suggestions, I am downloading and experimenting as I go. I have to create this silly hammer for my graphics class and it is a real pain to do in ViaCad because it is difficult to set up circles and arcs to make the curved facets of the handle, claw and hammerhead. I might try making the same object with several programs and see the results. If I get motivated enough I will write a critique for each and post it here.

Thanks guys!

Drew

Many of the major CAD programs offer a free license for students. If this doesn't apply in your case, I would definitely go with DoubleCad, as mentioned above.

http://www.doublecad.com/Products/DoubleCADXT/tabid/1100/Default.aspx

I use DataCad for architecture rather than AutoCad but have DoubleCad for viewing and manipulating .dwg files that DataCad has trouble importing.

Several people here have already suggested that you start with Alibre. I agree wholeheartedly.

It is a very impressive true 3D solid modeler with extensive export capability. It's highly intuitive, especially so if you don't have to unlearn other software. It's feature driven capability is simple and easy to understand.

I would avoid any 2D drafting package as totally inadequate for today's modern world. You live in a 3D world, you think in a 3D world. Why waste time translating into a flat paradigm first invented by the Egyptians to hide the burial chamber?!

I started my career with AutoCad and frankly, it's a dinosaur! The system I am writing to you on has Pro Engineer Fire Wire, a current seat of Catia, Release 2009 of SolidWorks, Alibre Express and a dusty version of CADKEY.

I've been driving CAD software and banging keyboards, digitizers and mice since 1982 and IMO, Alibre Express is the best place to start, bar none!

L.J.

Used to use "Micrographics" many years ago which used a tablet and touch pen. It was very relaxing to use.

Had interface problems on later computer and moved over to Turbocad which is nearly as good. Being mouse based it can be a bit indistinct but I find a trackball is much better, espacially with a wrist rest to combat RSI.

Since you are still a student, you can go to http://www.journeyed.com/ and purchase CAD software for much less money. At least you would have the same CAD package at home that you are using in class.

i agree with the laughing jaguar. It's a 3D world. I have experience with Autocad, autocad lt, solidworks, catia, alibre, inventor (I think an autodesk product) and a few more. IMO Catia is the Farrari of design software. However, most people can't afford it. So if you really need design software, check out alibre. It's capable and relatively inexpensive.

DoubleCAD, apparently intended as a free replacement for TurboCAD from IMSI (owned by AutoCAD, by the way), s by far the best value in 2D CAD. If it is 3D you are after, and you are willing to trade time to learn some esoteric approaches for a fair price, there are Salome-MECA, a solid modeler built as a front end to an FEA mesh generator, or BRLCAD, a freebie developed for the US DoD. AutoCAD and SolidWorks are so expensive because they have to make up their development costs before the OpenSource community catches up with them...

Commercial software is generally more user-friendly than the freeware alternatives...

It is my understanding (and my limited experience seems to confirm this) that the "point" of doubleCAD is that it has a similar user interface to AutoCAD but has some of the advantages of TurboCAD.

So I would regard it as a free replacement for 2D AutoCAD rather than a replacement for TurboCAD.

Um-m-m. Excuse me. Autodesk owns IMSI?? Please provide a link to this information.

I use Turbocad. Its inexpensive and helps to produce really professional quality drawings.

Too bad you didn't ask earlier. Alibre was selling their latest standard 3d version for $99. You can still get it for that but you will need to either know a licensed user or ask really nicely to one of responders on this thread that said they use it and see if they would refer you as a friend so that you can still buy the newest vers. 12 for $99, otherwise it will cost you $349.

AutoCAD 2010 Education SV (5 Year Term)

$159.00 us

Not sure what the limitations are.

Have a look here

http://www.freecad.com/

Steve Hayden

Be careful with student versions, sometimes the file save format(s) are NOT compatible with the full version.......

Read through this as well, it may also help further:-

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/29284#comment306428

Google, in typical fashion, is now providing for free, software that previously could only previously be obtained at a very high price....and it works beautifully!

Google Sketchup can be downloaded for free by going to google.com and then selecting 'more' and then 'even more'.

Sketchup is flexible intuitive and very innovative. Sketchup allows viewpoints from a 'walk through' what you draft. it also allows you to stretch your photos over surfaces you have rendered for realistic texture.

hours of free video instructionare available.

One of my favorite things about sketchup is the availability of add-ons. Sketchy-physics is an add on that allows you to put hinges, wheels, pistons, springs, and other functioning object into what you draft....it applies a set of physics rules and then allows what you have made to react....you can kick it and see what it does!

benbenben

Drew, given my many years of experience in this field there is no excuse for my having responded as I did without getting more information from you first.

What do you wish to accomplish?

Are you a student with plans for using this technology professionally. Or, are you simply looking for a medium with which to express an idea?

Are you planning on having someone build something for you? Are there numbers of parts that must be mated, fitted together in an assembly?

Must you calculate mass properties and centers of gravity or do stress analysis?

A major distinction exists between 3 dimensional parts modeled in 3D space and a flat sheet of paper with several views.

A fully dimensioned drawing with orthogonal, Isometric and sectioned views is a simple, almost immediate consequence of a designed 3D part or assembly. And, if you make a change to the design in the 3D model, the drawing reflects that change immediately in all it's views with little or no intervention or effort on your part.

Please tell us what you wish to do ultimately, after your creative efforts have been exercised.

L.J.

Well, I plan on becoming a Mechanical Engineer. Unfortunately I haven't met that many to know how experienced they have to be in disciplines like CAD. After 12 years in the fuels distribution, pipeline and storage business I have a fair amount of experience. Additionally, I do most of my own work on my vehicle.

It is my observation that many of today's vehicles are not designed with the mechanic that will be turning wrenches on it after it leaves the design room.

I don't know if I will be a non traditional Engineer if I get to design projects with maintenance in mind, I also don't know if it is non traditional to be proficient in CAD...But I plan on trying to be both.

My desire with CAD software is to become fairly proficient. If I can get good at it in the near future, then perhaps I can earn some money doing side jobs or working for somebody while still in school. I would also like to be able to draft up any Ideas that I have. I haven't heard much about mass properties center gravity and stress analysis...but it interests me.

Hope this background and future plans help.

Drew

Check out IntelliCAD. It used to be produced by CADopia, but I think it may have been sold. There are three versions with added 3D capability as you go up. My 2-D and 3-D wireframe version cost $160. It is so much like AutoCAD it even uses AutoCAD menus, shortcut keys, and AutoLISP programs.

Try this one for free: http://download.cnet.com/CMS-Xpandy/3000-18496_4-10915779.html?tag=mncol

So far, I like doublecad the best. I will probably keep it, but I really want to try that Alibra one...and a few others. I am continuing to draw the hammer from my textbook and I seem to be getting Doublecad fairly quickly. I already like the way it does arcs better than Autocad where my teacher told us to use circles and trim away excess because it is easier.

Drew

I received this E-Mail this morning: looks promising, but, I haven't tried it yet.
_________________________________________________________________________

EDIT: as an aside I'm impressed at how well their page layout and formatting seems to have worked in the CR4 editor.

4M IntelliCAD around $400 (including 2D and 3D)