Six free CAD programs that work
some are open source, others freeware
Blender --- CADstd --- Design workshop --- DraftIt --- Google Sketchup --- Inkscape
Draft, Draw, and Model for free
BLENDER
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Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
Interface
* Revolutionary non-overlapping and non-blocking UI delivers unsurpassed workflow
* Flexible and fully configurable window layout with as many screen setups as you prefer
* Undo support on all levels
* Anti-aliased fonts with international translation support
* Windows for animation curves/keys, outliner, schematic scene diagram, generic node editing system, non-linear video sequence editing, character animation action editor, non-linear animation mixer, image/UV editing, file/image selection and file management
* Built-in text editor for annotations and editing Python scripts
* Graphical user interface for Python scripts
* Custom themes
* Consistent interface across all platforms
Modeling
* A range of 3D object types including polygon meshes, NURBS surfaces, bezier and B-spline curves, metaballs, vector fonts (TrueType, PostScript, OpenType)
* Very fast Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces with optimal iso-lines display and sharpness editing
* Full multiresolution sculpting capabilities with 2D bitmap/3D procedural brushes (Paint, Smooth, Pinch, Inflate, Grab) supporting symmetry
* Modifier stack deformers such as Lattice, Curve, Armature or Displace
* Mirror modifier with middle vertices clipping and automatic deletion of inner faces
* Non destructive real time Boolean and Array modifiers
* Mesh modeling based on vertex, edge and/or face selection
* Smooth soft selection editing tools for organic modeling
* Python scripting access for custom tools
Rigging
* Fast skeleton creation mode
* Interactive 3D paint for vertex weighting
* Fast envelope based skinning
* Mirror editing (bone creation and weight painting)
* Bone layers for better rig organization
* B-splines interpolated bones
* Constraint stack for IK solver setup and other constraints
Rendering
* Very fast inbuilt raytracer
* Oversampling, motion blur, post-production effects, fields, non-square pixels
* Tile-based and fully threaded
* Render layers and passes
* Render baking to UV maps (full render, ambient occlusion, normals, textures)
* Render engine tightly integrated with the node compositor
* Halo, lens flares and fog effects
* Vector motion-blur post-process effect (using node compositor)
* Realistic defocus (DOF) post-process effect (using node compositor)
* Edge rendering for toon shading
* Interactive preview rendering panel in any 3d view
* Ambient Occlusion
* Radiosity solver
* Integral support for the Yafray render engine
* Export scripts available for external renderers such as Renderman (RIB), Mental Ray, Povray, Virtualight, Indigo
Animation
* Armature (skeleton) deformation with forward/inverse kinematics
* Auto IK allows posing FK chains easily
* Non-linear animation editor for mixing individual actions created in Action editor
* Automated walkcycles along paths
* Animated constraint system
* Vertex key framing for morphing, with controlling sliders
* Edit and create new blendshapes from existing targets
* Character animation pose editor
* Animated deformers (Lattice, Curve)
* 'Ipo' system integrates both motion curve and traditional key-frame editing
* Audio playback, mixing and editing support for sound synchronisation
* Timeline offers fast acces to many playback functions, autokey, help markers
* Python scripting access for custom and procedural animation effects
UV Unwrapping
* Conformal and Angle Based unwrapping methods
* Interactive transform of UV maps by vertex pinning
* Proportional falloff editing of UV maps for smooth transformations
* Seam based unwrapping
* Cube, Cylinder, Sphere, View projections
* Catmull-Clark subdivition of UVs for less distortion
* Minimize stretch tool allows to reduce area distortion
* Multiple UV layers
more...
CADstd
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CadStd is a general purpose, easy to learn CAD/drafting program for creating professional quality mechanical designs, house plans, blueprints, schematics and charts utilizing ANSI drawing standards. The Lite version is free and can read any drawing created by the Pro version. CadStd Lite can export files as DXF so you can share your drawings with friends who have other CAD programs like Autocad. The Pro version can create isometric projections from orthographic views, and has powerful commands like offset, trim, fillet and chamfer. Export drawings in formats like DXF, SVG, HPGL/1 or use copy clipboard to paste images into Office and other applications. Import DXF, HPGL/1 and Gedcom files.
If you need to create drawings you can be proud to show a client, a city planning department, a government agency CadStd (Cad Standard) is your best kept secret. People will think you spent hundreds or thousands of dollars to create such a drawing. A recent customer wrote : "I have bought a number of other programs, primarily for 3d graphics...but continually come back to this great program for every project requiring drawings."
Design Workshop Lite
I drew these from the tutorial PDF provided [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/groggin/freako.gif[/IMG]
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Anyone who creates built-environment models and images, from home owners to designers to architects, creating 3D models from web illustrations to houses to city scapes, will enjoy the fast, easy and creative visualization environment of DesignWorkshop®, for both Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000 and Macintosh Classic.
The most intuitive modeling for architectural design
DesignWorkshop is the first real 3D design tool for creating form in space. Not just modeling - creating. DesignWorkshop allows you to quickly and creatively sketch spatial ideas in live 3D perspective, then develop and refine them efficiently with simple yet powerful and accurate editing tools. Traditional drafting software only works in two dimensions, like pencil and paper. Most so-called "3D applications" are really just souped-up drafting software, with little or no editing available in the perspective view.
The most efficient modeling for presentation rendering
DesignWorkshop simply turns CAD drawings into architectural renderings faster than any other 3D modeler available. Your building projects can spring to life instantly using real-time rendering, with lights and textures built in. The few other powerful 3D solid modeling systems available are complicated to learn and use, and too rigid for creative design work. Most were not even created for architecture.
The most profitable addition to an existing CAD system
DesignWorkshop will integrate smoothly with your existing mainstream drafting software, on both Windows and Macintosh, including AutoCAD, PowerCADD, ArchiCAD, MicroStation, MiniCAD, AutoCAD LT, Visio, and more. Robust support for industry standard formats like DWG, VRML, 3DMF, PICT, TIFF, BMP, JPEG, and of course the old standby DXF means that drawings and models will go directly between your CAD software and DesignWorkshop, in either direction.
Fast to learn, and fast to use, DesignWorkshop is your quickest path to profiting from architectural 3D graphics, whether you start with 2D CAD drawings, and then zap them into DesignWorkshop to pop them into 3D for rendering, or whether you prefer to design with a live 3D model, and then zap out the plans, sections, and elevations for notes, dimensions, and detailing in your production drafting environment, DesignWorkshop is the tool that will make 3D profitable for you - finally! - or we'll take it back.*
For the ultimate presentation, DesignWorkshop also integrates smoothly with all the major high-end CAD, rendering, and animation software, including Art*lantis, Lightscape, LightWorks, and Radiance, which are recommended, sold, and supported directly by Artifice, as well as AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max and Viz, Electric Image, Strata Studio Pro, Infini-D, KPT Bryce, Caligari Truespace, and so on.
Designers who work full time creating built-environment projects, models, and images, including architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and exhibit and production designers, will enjoy the fast, easy and creative visualization environment of DesignWorkshop Professional, available starting at just $479 for both Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000 and Macintosh Classic (not native for Mac OS X).
DraftIt
Draft IT is a FREE CAD software application. It is a powerful and easy-to-use 2D CAD system suitable for all users, in the office or at home.
• Create, print and save your own professional drawings.
• Easy to use - visual aids compliment all commands.
• Powerful drawing tools - lines arcs, circles etc. with dynamic dimensions.
• Dynamic editing functions with visual handles and snaps.
• Supports Metric and Imperial Units.
• Now choose from THREE low cost enhanced versions:-
Draft IT PLUS and DRAFT IT PRO and Draft IT Architectural
• Use Draft IT as the basis for your Custom CAD system.
NOTE: This program is freeware BUT reqiires registration to Activate!
Google Sketchup
Google SketchUp 6
Whether you want to design a dream home, the world's tallest building or just a new backyard deck, Google SketchUp makes visualizing and communicating your design ideas easy.
Google SketchUp 6 is a free, easy-to-learn 3D modeling tool that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. And once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse.
What is Google SketchUp 6?
Google SketchUp is a deceptively simple, amazingly powerful tool for creating, viewing, and modifying 3D ideas quickly and easily. Google SketchUp was developed to combine the elegance and spontaneity of pencil sketching with the speed and flexibility of today's digital media.
Developed for the conceptual stages of design, this powerful yet easy-to-learn software allows for quick and easy 3D form creation, the result is an interface that supports a dynamic, creative exploration of 3D form, material and light.
Google SketchUp combines a compact yet robust tool-set with an intelligent guidance system that streamlines the 3D drawing process.
3D for Everyone
Design software has been around for decades and is clearly here to stay. But we think something has been missing—the freedom, flexibility and fun that should go hand-in-hand with the design process. It's our view that while traditional CAD software is necessary for developing detailed drawings, it's simply too complex for most conceptual design work.
Google SketchUp bridges the divide between design utility and fun. As designers ourselves, we created Google SketchUp as much to satisfy our own wishes as those of our users.
We know you've heard it all before: what company doesn't claim that its software is 'a piece of cake to use' or 'the best around?' We're guilty of saying this too. But you don't have to take our word for it—you can try it yourself. Just download Google SketchUp 6 fire it up and give it a spin. Most people say they're off and running in a few hours.
Bonus Packs
Components
These are pre-drawn objects (like trees, cars and people) that are useful for creating reusable models to be placed within other models. We've included dozens of components in Google SketchUp to help get you started, but these additional libraries of components that will help you create more advanced SketchUp models. You can also search for your specific needs in the 3D Warehouse.
bonus pacs included in this release:
Architecture
Construction
Film & Stage
Landscape Architecture
People
Symbols
Transportation
Inkscape
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About Inkscape
An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development.
All files scanned with Eset Nod 32 AV
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Njoy!
please click the link below to see my other uploads
groggin's uploads
