3D & CAD Freeware to Love or Loathe

[Carlos]

I've noticed there's a lot of interest in 3D modeling and CAD on the forum. Here's a few freeware programs that may be of interest. Whether its F1 cars, parts or the perfect virtual companion. SketchUp is popular. Here are a few more.

AutoDesk 123D Family of programs are all integrateded with each other for easy file sharing between applications, the Autodesk programs files can be stored on your computer or ... in the cloud ,,, and may interest F1 car modelers and fabricators. There's also a 3D photo application and 2 freewares from 2 other companies.

123DCatch
If you ever get to see an F1 car or lets say, an F1 gearbox, wing or nose - any part - take a minimum of six photos and 123DCatch assembles them into a 3D image. I've lusted after a commercial product that does the same thing, but costs $299USD. Take 6 pictures of anything and product a photo-realistic 3D model, maybe even your wife or girlfriend.
http://www.123dapp.com/catch#atAGlance

123D
A sort of modeling, CADing , sculpting program that not only produces any design that can be imagined, it also does templates and STL files for laser cutting and 3D printing.
http://www.123dapp.com/123d

123DSculpt
Similar to Mudbox and ZBrush - a modeling and sculpting program that also renders. Unfortunately it's only for ipad.
http://www.123dapp.com/sculpt

Let me recommend an alternative freeware from ZBrush that is really as good, maybe better, maybe much the same, for Windows and Mac.
Sculptris
http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/

123DMake
Generates 2D and 3D templates and files. Print patterns/templates for any material to cut-out in your home-shop or have done commercially. 3D files can be sent out for 3D printing... what possibilities.
http://www.123dapp.com/make

NANOCAD
Self descriptive ... an intermediate CAD program.
http://nanocad.com/page/WhyNanoCAD

Love them or loathe them - Freeware .... maybe try any of these and post your impressions and comments and share your favourite freeware that might interest the F1Technical Forum. There's future designers among us, I'm sure of it. One program we definitely need - a CAD file converter thats freeware.

[coaster]

Can you recommend a good Linux cad please? Dual booting and Vmware works, but i'm liking Linux so much more than windows now.

[spacer]

Try CAElinux, it's actually a package of all sorts of CAD/CFD opensource software. Can be used as a dual boot next to a windows install. Or a boot from dvd to try things out, without installing anything.

Includes some highly-rated packages like Openfoam, although might not be the most user-friendly GUI for those just starting out.

http://www.caelinux.com/CMS/

[Carlos]

Netfabb Studio Basic is more than a viewer, it's a simple 3D modeller that allows you to use basic structures to shape and tweak to create a designed object, it also provides mesh edit, repair and analysis capabilities to anyone interested in Additive Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping or 3D Printing.

http://netfabb.com/basic.php

[Greg Locock]

Has anyone actually got NANocad to install? I'd have thought the obvious thing to do if I were a software developer would be to make a download package that actually works.

[Carlos]

How to install? - It's a little tiresome and complicated. You have to 'apply' for the download. They send you an email with a 'link' to a download of NanoCAD. Then you download. The program downloaded just fine. Installation seemed complicated - first you have to fetch a serial number from another email NanoCAD sends you, actually they send 2 'support' emails - in one - your lucky enough to find not only the serial number - but also your 'login' - which is your email address and a password. Keep pressing next until they ask you to enter your login and your password. That seems to be everything to get it up and running. The program runs a screen - testing to see if your running Open GL (but which are they looking for? - V1 or V2 Open GL? it didn't say). It's a little complicated just to register a freeware - its Not The Hope Diamond - but NanoCAD seems to think it just may be the Crown Jewels of Luxembourg - well - to them it is, they wrote all 248MB of code. They have put lots of steps to the process. Lots of them. Don't give up - if I can - you can.

[BrettEvans]

Taking things apart is a big tool for learning. Things become demystified when you can peek inside them. Even if you couldn’t create that, you grasp what the concept of creating would be..