List of 3D MCAD Software

A question often asked, "Which software should I use?". Listed are 3D MCAD design softwares. Take your pick...

FREE:
123D Design PC Mac
Openscad PC Mac Linux
Onshape Online
FreeCAD PC Mac Linux
DesignSpark Mechanical PC
TinkerCAD Online
BRL-CAD PC Mac Linux Solaris IRIX BSD
SolveSpace PC Mac Linux
Creo Elements PC
Selfcad Online BETA

PROPRIETRY:
Fusion 360 PC Mac
Catia PC
Creo PC
NX PC Linux
Geomagic Design PC
Solidworks PC
SolidEdge PC
Moi3D PC Mac Linux
Rhinoceros PC Mac
ZW3D PC
Top Solid PC
SolidFace PC
VariCAD PC Linux
Autodesk Inventor PC
Spaceclaim PC
TurboCAD PC Mac
Powershape PC
Kompas-3D

what's the 'M' stand for ?

Mechanical. Differentiates it from graphic design software. Or other 3D modellers that do organic shapes like sculpting software.

Btw CA: You might enjoy BRL-CAD. It is also command line based. That's your thing, isn't it?

As it is I am currently locked into software but would still like to make the switch to Linux. If/when I do that I will move to a VariCAD/Moi combination.

Currently the bulk of my work is done with Geomagic Design with a bit of Powershape and Catia.

Is there freeware software that works like Solidworks?

looked at brl-cad a while back - it's totally unusable as well as being horrendous and glacial slow.
Apart from that - I liked it ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeffmorris

Is there freeware software that works like Solidworks?

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Depends what you mean by 'like Solidworks' but short answer, no. Closest you'll get are direct-editing solid modellers like Creo Elements and Design Spark. 123D is supposedly quite good too. Fully parametric with multiple feature creation tools? No.

Many tutorials use Solidworks. I want to do the tutorial on creating a v12 engine shown at https://grabcad.com/questions/tutori...-engine-part-1 but I have Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion, and Design Spark Mechanical. I tried to download Solidworks demo but they won't send me download the demo.

Why do you need Solidworks if you already have Inventor? Just to do the tutorial?

There are differences between Inventor and Solidworks in how they work - different user interface, different ways of drawing and modifying objects, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeffmorris

Many tutorials use Solidworks. I want to do the tutorial on creating a v12 engine shown at https://grabcad.com/questions/tutori...-engine-part-1 but I have Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion, and Design Spark Mechanical. I tried to download Solidworks demo but they won't send me download the demo.

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http://www.solidworks.com/sw/purchas...BlhxoCaFHw_wcB

Hello friends,

Let me share some information about the recent released scan data / CAD data inspecting software.

Key functions are: Alignment, deviation detection, measurements, report printing.
For more information you can check this website: (http://pointshape.com/inspector/)
or contact me (jim@pointshape.com)

Thanks for you time.

Surprised to not see SketchUp on the list.

+1 for OnShape. Great, free, SolidWorks like alternative that I highly recommend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LuckyImperial

+1 for OnShape. Great, free, SolidWorks like alternative that I highly recommend.

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Came here to post this. Feels very Solidworks-like. Which makes sense, since it was started by former Solidworks people. They also have a script language available to make your own commands. The only drawback is that the free account doesn't have any private documents anymore.

Also, while Fusion 360 is proprietary, you can get a hobbyist license for free as long as you are making less than $100k using the software.

Hi Guys,

The CAD software which specially focuses on mechanical CAD (MCAD) are as follows - 1) AutoCAD Design Suite and Autodesk Inventor which are developed by AutoCAD for 3D modeling 2) Pro Engineer, aka Creoparametric which is developed by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) 3) Catia which is developed by Dassault Systems 4) NX (Unigraphics or UG) is another well-known MCAD software developed by Siemens 5) Solid Edge is also been developed by Siemens and much more... Thanks & Regards Roger King

I like to work with Solidworks, guess I need to try OnShape too.

Hi all,

• Tinkercad.
• Solidworks.
• AutoCAD.
• FreeCAD.
• TurboCAD 2016 Deluxe.
• Creo Parametric 3D Modeling Software. ...
• IronCAD. ...

Openscad
Fusion360

Hi there! I have a very big amount of models for 3d printing and CNC engraving. Its about - 8000 models and this catalogue still grow. You can familiarize oneself with this here.https://www.dropbox.com/s/ypf2btlnco...711.pdf?dl=0If you are interested in it just contact me.Email - shulkyn@gmail.comTelegram - @ShulkynSkype - shylo_alexander