Hi, I'm wondering what you guys use for planning your case. I have solidworks (2001 i think), but it only runs on win 2000... and using the other computer would be a good deal of hasstle. Whats good free software for planning cases? Windows? Linux? Mac?
Windows; Maya or 3D Studio Max. I belive on there sites they have free trail versions. I cannot tell you right now due to I cannot get on them cause my school filters sites (REASON: The Websense category "Freeware and Software Download" is filtered.), but I belive since the reason says that freeware is availible then I guess. I typed "3D Studio Max Trial" (without quotes) and got that so, I hope you find it
Milkshape 3D is good for conceptual low-poly work. http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/ And for complex parts I like to use Alibre Xpress: http://www.alibre.com/xpress/
DID YOu know - i'm a computer monitor and i wish i could hit my schools server (WEBSENSE IS FOR DA LOOSERS
What are you talking about? I understand why the schools monitor there server, and I don't care I was just saying.
sketchup is the best if you need to do exactly what most of us do, which is rough out a case and get dimensions and such. Maya and 3d studio max are amazing tools, but usually have a steep learning curve. Plus I generally don't consider those on the CAD side of programs so they wouldn't be what I would use to say design an intricate water block or something (although they could) Autocad is the standard but some prefer others. if all your doing is planning cases than download sketchup and be verrrrry satisfied with that. All I use is sketchup and auto cad
autoCAD, and couple that with Viz. Not much it can't do. You pay for it though. AutoCAD £1400, Viz £1200
Depends on your Present skills.. If you havent got a clue as to how to use Cad (I see you do) Sketchup is the way to start, but for the more advanced i tend to use Rhinoceros 3, Inventor and AutoCAD.. I am hoping to be a CAD designer for a living.. (Currently at school) The Learning curve as I see it.. Going from easy to hard.. Sketchup, Rhinoceros, Inventor, AutoCAD, 3DsMax, CATIA. Feature Curve. Less to more. Sketchup, AutoCAD, Inventor, Rhinoceros, 3dsMAX, CATIA. Price Curve. Sketchup, Rhinoceros, 3dsMAX, Inventor, AutoCAD, CATIA. Personal experiences: Sketchup is easy as 1, 2, 3, Done. (Just playing with it) Get a copy here http://www.sketchup.com I have taught myself Rhinoceros and found it very user friendly, has autocomplete at the command line and loads more, including import/export to almost every filetype in 3d design. My favourite Cad package.. NURBS based www.rhino3d.com Inventor... Good for mechanical designs.. You can actually make a motor and see how it works because it can make a running model.. http://www.autodesk.com/inventorseries AutoCAD.. Very good software, but not very intuitive, you have to know every command or have a hardcopy of commands, some of which are hidden unless you get proper education.. http://www.autodesk.com/autocad 3dsMAX.. Mostly for animations... havent played alot with it... http://www.autodesk.com/3dsmax CATIA... Very steep learning curve... You will need a hardcopy to even understand how it works.. I have fooled around in it for a couple of hours at home, there is a online manual somewhere.. No trials available.. http://www.3ds.com/products-solutions/brands/CATIA/ Hope i have answered some questions
