trailer build software?
- Thread starter Darton
- Start date
davegonz
Explorer
Solidworks 2007, but people seem to really like Google SketchUp.
Our office (small engineering firm) purchased SolidWorks 2007 Professional with the COSMO Works anaylsis package for around $10,000. Yes, you read that right, four zeros in there. :Wow1:
SolidWorks is a fantastic program (albiet it has it's faults), but you can't beat the fact that SketchUp is free. My fiance is an undergrad in the school of Architecture at UT and they use SketchUp a little, so it has got to be decent.
SolidWorks is a fantastic program (albiet it has it's faults), but you can't beat the fact that SketchUp is free. My fiance is an undergrad in the school of Architecture at UT and they use SketchUp a little, so it has got to be decent.
davegonz
Explorer
Yep, and the fact that she can purchase SketchUp Pro as a student for $40 is even better. Pro adds some cool features and can import/export to a bigger range of CAD packages.
On a side note, we need to get an Austin get together going some time. What part of town are you in meffland?
On a side note, we need to get an Austin get together going some time. What part of town are you in meffland?
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I'm using AutoCad from work. It's pretty crude 2D, but I find I can "sketch" much faster than I can in 3D. 3D obviously has advantages for detailed design, but just to lay things out, get a general idea of how things work, I like AutoCad.
Just a note, a few years ago I bought an official version of ProE 2000i Student Edition for like $40 on Ebay. That's another way to go. The Student Edition means that you can't ever export one of your drawings to the full version, you're always locked into a student version "world". But other than that, I don't think it's any different. I've used it to design some parts, print them out, it prints "student edition" on the bottom. NBD.
Just a note, a few years ago I bought an official version of ProE 2000i Student Edition for like $40 on Ebay. That's another way to go. The Student Edition means that you can't ever export one of your drawings to the full version, you're always locked into a student version "world". But other than that, I don't think it's any different. I've used it to design some parts, print them out, it prints "student edition" on the bottom. NBD.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
I'm using Maya 8.0 Overkill for this kind of stuff since it's one of the primary packages used for 3D modelling/animation/lighting in films etc. I use it for work so that's what I have.
With a background in 3D, I think for most people and what they need for visualizing and getting rough measurements, Google Sketch up is perfect and you can't beat the price. That's what I would use if I didn't already have access to Maya or something like SolidWorks.
With a background in 3D, I think for most people and what they need for visualizing and getting rough measurements, Google Sketch up is perfect and you can't beat the price. That's what I would use if I didn't already have access to Maya or something like SolidWorks.
t0mills
Adventurer
I use Solidworks 09 here at work. I believe you can get a standard version of SW for ~$7000. If you start adding all of the extras, that price can double.
Enroll in a College class, and you can get a student version for only $200!!
Same model in a quick render with Photoworks (SW Add-on):
Enroll in a College class, and you can get a student version for only $200!!
Same model in a quick render with Photoworks (SW Add-on):