Best cheap/free CAD program for home computer

[Jroc]

Let's say $100 or less.

At work I have AutoCAD LT.(I think the 2012 addition) I've had to teach myself how to use it to run our new waterjet, but I've gotten to where I like it. It's fun to be able to draw all kinds of things up, and once you start to learn how to use it and get good on it, it's not that hard to draw some pretty involving stuff.

Anyway some of the engineers at my job use really highend programs like CATIA, and/or SolidWorks, but I'm just a Tool Maker and get AutoCAD. That's fine though and I like it.

Anyway I was wanting to get something for my home computer to be able to draw with, but I'm not looking to spend 3 or 4 figures like the industrial programs command.

I was thinking about something like this TurboCAD, but I have no experience with it.
Amazon.com: TurboCAD Deluxe 18: Software

What do y'all think?

Remember this isn't for work, but just to use at the house.

 

[James Snover]

This is what I have.

3D Systems | Geomagic Design Software

They used to offer a full free trial version.

 

[Blown_By_You]

subbing.. I've been tempted to try to get a pirated version of pro e or solidworks

 

[Blakonblak94]

I would kill for a decent one to help learn on for school. We use NX and there is no way I'm buying a copy.

 

[65fastback2+2]

DraftSight - Free* CAD software for your DWG files - Dassault Systèmes

 

[Planter]

I would kill for a decent one to help learn on for school. We use NX and there is no way I'm buying a copy.

if you're a student you can register here for a free trial year of Autodesk AutoCAD. just use your .edu email address

Autodesk Student Community | Free Student Downloads on Login

 

[Blakonblak94]

if you're a student you can register here for a free trial year of Autodesk AutoCAD. just use your .edu email address

Autodesk Student Community | Free Student Downloads on Login

Thanks Planter. Having lurked forever, I've hears your name thrown around in obscure ways. You seem helpful tho. No judgment.

 

[Watson91]

You can get a free 30 day trial of Bentely's MicroStation. This is what we use at work for all of our electrical/mechanical/structural drafting.

3D CAD Design & Modeling Software | Architecture, Engineering, DGN

 

[assasyn]

Second for Draftsight

 

[Planter]

Thanks Planter. Having lurked forever, I've hears your name thrown around in obscure ways. You seem helpful tho. No judgment.

:beer:

 

[aaandht]

if you're a student you can register here for a free trial year of Autodesk AutoCAD. just use your .edu email address

Autodesk Student Community | Free Student Downloads on Login

+1

I love Inventor, but Solidworks defiantly has the corner on the market. But so long as you understand the basics you can learn any software package.

 

[jason6488]

if you're used to autocad go with doublecad. its autocad knockoff and totally and utterly free. buttons sre even in the same place.

 

[VerySneaky]

Let's say $100 or less.

At work I have AutoCAD LT.(I think the 2012 addition) I've had to teach myself how to use it to run our new waterjet, but I've gotten to where I like it. It's fun to be able to draw all kinds of things up, and once you start to learn how to use it and get good on it, it's not that hard to draw some pretty involving stuff.

Anyway some of the engineers at my job use really highend programs like CATIA, and/or SolidWorks, but I'm just a Tool Maker and get AutoCAD. That's fine though and I like it.

Anyway I was wanting to get something for my home computer to be able to draw with, but I'm not looking to spend 3 or 4 figures like the industrial programs command.

I was thinking about something like this TurboCAD, but I have no experience with it.
Amazon.com: TurboCAD Deluxe 18: Software

What do y'all think?

Remember this isn't for work, but just to use at the house.

Why not have your engineers just save their Solidworks files as DXF so you can open them on your Waterjet software? That's what we do at my shop. But, we also bought our machinists FeatureCAM, though the waterjets use their own software.

Also, if you're in any sort of college class, you can get student edition of Solidworks for like 100$ for a year.

 

[Ramairgt1]

Solidworks FTW!

 

[VerySneaky]

subbing.. I've been tempted to try to get a pirated version of pro e or solidworks

There used to be some places, but they don't work anymore...

 

[Jroc]

Why not have your engineers just save their Solidworks files as DXF so you can open them on your Waterjet software? That's what we do at my shop. But, we also bought our machinists FeatureCAM, though the waterjets use their own software.

Also, if you're in any sort of college class, you can get student edition of Solidworks for like 100$ for a year.

I never said I didn't. :shrug: I'm just looking for something to draw with at the house. lol

BTW that Dassault software that 65fastback2+2 posted seems to work pretty well for a free CAD program. Doesn't Dassault make plans in Sweden like the Griffen or something? :read:

 

[motoman991]

I know you can get student copies of Solid Edge from their website. The license lasts a year, I believe. Solid Edge is what I use at work too.

 

[96dreamer]

i have a torrented copy of solid works on my home laptop but i never use that anymore since my new job all we use is pro-e, which i hate. i've used a lot of 3d programs and solidworks is by far my favorite.

 

[CobraBob]

Question. For someone who wants to design a simple part but has no experience with autocad, how difficult is it to learn the basics? I subscribe to Lynda.com which has loads of autocad tutorials, many of which are directly related to the program being used (ie. SolidWorks) but was just wondering approximately how much time on average it takes to learn the basics where you can then design a simple part.

 

[JustaGT5408]

If you can get your hands on Solidworks you'll be set. By far the best 3D CAD program I have used throughout school and my job (Design Engineer). I got lucky and was given a free version of solidworks and a lifetime product key for my home computer through work.

A lot of times your can get a free trial, or like stated above, a free 1 year with a .edu email address, thats what I did before I graduated.