Free AutoCad clone ?

[JedClampett]

Does anyone know of a free 3D CAD program like AutoCad please to run on Vista Home Premium?

 

TIA - Jed

[jaclaz]

Does anyone know of a free 3D CAD program like AutoCad please to run on Vista Home Premium?

 

TIA - Jed

NOT exactly "like AUTOCAD", but Sketchup is exceptionally good at 3D.

 

The "Make" version is Free (for non commercial use):

http://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-make

 

The tool went from a Commercial only version to have being bought by Google (and providing a Free version) to being re-sold, and the new proprietors also provide a free version but, understandably, push the Pro (Commercial) one.

 

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SketchUp

 

The interface/workflow is completely different from Autocad, but after a very little ( no more than a couple of hours ) time to get the hang of it, it is actually a very good usage paradigm, particularly for someone that actually learned to draw without CAD or that has some experience in building or prototyping.

As a matter of fact it is IMHO much faster to learn and easier to use than any AutoCad or derivative.

 

 

jaclaz

[JedClampett]

Thanks for that link Jaclaz.

 

As long as I can use this to produce 3d woodworking plans, like bird boxes and bird tables then that's OK with me.

 

I'll check it out and give more feedback later.

 

Regards - Jed.

[jaclaz]

Actually, as always when someone mentions the goal, as opposed to the tool he thinks fit for it , thus avoiding the risk of slipping on a chocolate covered banana:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com./jonathan.deboynepollard/FGA/put-down-the-chocolate-covered-banana.html

I could also provide a link to:

http://www.ecabinetsystems.com/

which may be of interest to you.

 

If you are into woodworking AND you like the Sketchup approach, you may also appreciate this (maybe useful  to re-arrange your workshop ):

http://yda-online.com/shopmodels.htm

 

jaclaz

[puntoMX]

+1 on Sketchup, slowly the "pro´s" like me are starting to look at it (sheet metal design). I know some people that use it to design furniture and hardwood stairs, and also the home-CNC builder uses it a lot.

[pointertovoid]

I tried Sketchup when it was new, and loved its ease of use, as well as its native 3D nature.

 

BUT I gave it up then because:

(1) It only worked online

(2) I couldn't extract drawings from the 3D models: views and cuts with dimensions, tolerances and so on.

 

Have these two limits been improved meanwhile? And does it run on W2k?

Edited May 7, 2014 by pointertovoid