Autocad or simular

[Talonmotorsport]

Is there an easy to use and possibly free CAD programme that can be down loaded? I'm not too cleaver with a pc so the simpler to use the better, if all else fails I'll do some model making with some poly foam.

[Tatey]

A very simple, and i mean very simple CAD software that is free to use, is Google Sketch-up:

http://sketchup.google.com/download/index2.html

[Talonmotorsport]

Thanks I'll have a go with that, I put free CAD in to a search engine and did'nt have any idea where to start.

[alga]

I use QCad. It is free/open source. Not very easy to use, but there is a manual online: http://www.qcad.org/qcad/manual_reference/
http://www.qcad.org/

[teun]

John try the google sketchup free and very easy to use. There is even a cursus on the web. I use it every day great program.

[spud69]

Sketchup is the program Chris Gibbs used for the roadster chassis pics and also for the single seater build manual. I have used it a fair bit myself in the past, the way in which you build 3d objects takes some getting used plus you have to be methodical in the way you build them, but there are some good tutorials to follow.

As far as i know all CAD programs are too expensive for the home / small user. I have tried to download pirate copies but they never work.

Good Luck....AndyH

[Tatey]

I guess that's the good thing about being a student then, as i can get any piece of Autodesk software available at the moment for free, so at the moment im trying to brush up my skills of Autodesk Inventor by creating the roadster in it, its hard going at the moment as i am really only good at the basics of the software, hopefully i'll keep at it and learn as i go.

[3GE Components]

I've used Qcad alot in the past and found it one of the easiest to pick up. It's not that dear to purchase either, the free download only allows you 5 minutes use at a time (I think)

You can get Solidedge 2D for free, 3D wise there a few that you can get for free for a period of time before they become restricted on some functions, Medusa 4 is one that springs to mind.

Kind regards

John

[Homersdouble]

The free version of Solid Edge is good but not perhaps the easiest to get to grips with (used to be brilliant but then they improved it!). Can be found at the link below;
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/index.shtml

Chris

[PlutoniumDan]

Alibre design, very easy to learn, similar to inventor and solidworks, and good price if you want a licence