Sup dudes, I need a program that I can make 3-D models in an send to a CNC shop to get them machined out. Heres a list of supported filetypes that Protolabs use, so I need to be able to save in the following as they don't accpet .skp (Google SketchUp). IGES (.igs) STEP (.stp) SolidWorks (.sldprt) ProE (.prt) Parasolid (.x_t and .x_b) ACIS (.sat) AutoCAD (.dwg, 3D only) Autodesk Inventor (.ipt) Thanks peeps, hopefully there is something out there for me.
Can sketch-up export to IGES or STEP format, these are universal non-CAD specific formats? If this is a one off, then Autodesk offer a 30 day trial for Inventor, so maybe give that a go? Let me know if you need any Inventor help.
There's a version of pro-e that works well, but pro-e itself is a bitch to use. edit: Removed references to piracy. Please refrain from discussion of warez in future. - spec
I use inventor on my desktop (Student edition is free if you have a valid .edu address). I use 123D on my laptop. Both can export in the format you need.
I'm downloading as we speak, I managed to get one saved as a 3d file and was quoted £140 for my fan grill!
If you (or a nice friend) have a .ac.uk email address then you can download pretty much an Autodesk software for free.
Try Autodesk 123D. It's a free software meant to create models that are to be produced in the end, which is exactly your purpose. It's pretty easy to use, can export some of the fily types you need and will and will wield far better results than Sketchup.