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supered · 01-29-2006, 07:44 AM

hi all,

have read through and been very impressed by the content of the 3D modeling/rendering software thread.

I would like to try out a few of my own ideas on similar software but want to make the right choice on what package to use from the start.

without licensed access to Inventor/ProE/Solidworks I must resort to something a bit cheaper ($3K makes an expensive hobby!). There seems to be a million and one options from TurboCAD Pro through to Blender (www.blender.org).

Can anyone make a recommendation on a piece of software that is suited to mechanical engineering, provides decent rendering and has either an intuitive interface or good tutorials.

ta

supered · 01-30-2006, 05:47 PM

well I guess that means this is a bonafide business oppertuinity! ;)

thanks anyway.

skipstr71 · 01-31-2006, 05:44 PM

I have 4 different 3D solid modeling softwares on my comp.. All free thanks to Limewire.com..!

K_B · 01-31-2006, 06:48 PM

I haven't used it for any "industrial" applications, but Swift3D (http://www.erain.com) is cheap and easy to use. There's another one out there that has promise, I'll look for the link...

scottj1501 · 03-02-2006, 07:52 PM

I'm a Solidworks user by trade, but you may look at Alibre. Alibre is just like Solidworks, at a fraction of the price. I think you can get a free trial and maybe a student edition. Alibre is nearly identical to Solidworks.

Hope this helps, good luck

shutupanddrive · 04-29-2006, 08:17 PM

just download whatever program you want and find a crack for it. Feds aren't going to kick down your door and take you to jail (unless you are doing something stupid like using it to run your business and you get busted).

I'd go with Solidworks, Rhino, or Alias. Rhino is probably the easiest.

shutupanddrive · 04-29-2006, 11:18 PM

download.com, limewire, it just depends on what program you want.

shutupanddrive · 04-30-2006, 01:26 AM

I'd hate to say that any 3d software is easy to use, but out of the one's I've used I'd say Rhino.

Creaper · 05-01-2006, 01:49 PM

hey i have a copy of auto cad if u like i can send u a copy of it i dont realy use it all that much i was partial to another drafting program microstation bentaly i think the 3d rendering is a lot better i think u can get a student copy for about 300 bucks not sure though

01-29-2006, 07:44 AM	#1
supered Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 4	cheap 3d software hi all, have read through and been very impressed by the content of the 3D modeling/rendering software thread. I would like to try out a few of my own ideas on similar software but want to make the right choice on what package to use from the start. without licensed access to Inventor/ProE/Solidworks I must resort to something a bit cheaper ($3K makes an expensive hobby!). There seems to be a million and one options from TurboCAD Pro through to Blender (www.blender.org). Can anyone make a recommendation on a piece of software that is suited to mechanical engineering, provides decent rendering and has either an intuitive interface or good tutorials. ta

03-02-2006, 07:52 PM	#5
scottj1501 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Columbia Posts: 1	Try Alibre I'm a Solidworks user by trade, but you may look at Alibre. Alibre is just like Solidworks, at a fraction of the price. I think you can get a free trial and maybe a student edition. Alibre is nearly identical to Solidworks. Hope this helps, good luck

01-30-2006, 05:47 PM	#2
supered Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 4	well I guess that means this is a bonafide business oppertuinity! ;) thanks anyway.

01-31-2006, 05:44 PM	#3
skipstr71 Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: BAY AREA Posts: 557	I have 4 different 3D solid modeling softwares on my comp.. All free thanks to Limewire.com..!

01-31-2006, 06:48 PM	#4
K_B I wanna be Dave Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,048	I haven't used it for any "industrial" applications, but Swift3D (http://www.erain.com) is cheap and easy to use. There's another one out there that has promise, I'll look for the link...

04-29-2006, 08:17 PM	#6
shutupanddrive Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LBC Posts: 370	just download whatever program you want and find a crack for it. Feds aren't going to kick down your door and take you to jail (unless you are doing something stupid like using it to run your business and you get busted). I'd go with Solidworks, Rhino, or Alias. Rhino is probably the easiest.

04-29-2006, 11:18 PM	#7
shutupanddrive Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LBC Posts: 370	download.com, limewire, it just depends on what program you want.

04-30-2006, 01:26 AM	#8
shutupanddrive Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LBC Posts: 370	I'd hate to say that any 3d software is easy to use, but out of the one's I've used I'd say Rhino.

05-01-2006, 01:49 PM	#9
Creaper Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: flagstaff Posts: 5	hey i have a copy of auto cad if u like i can send u a copy of it i dont realy use it all that much i was partial to another drafting program microstation bentaly i think the 3d rendering is a lot better i think u can get a student copy for about 300 bucks not sure though

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