which free/cheap CAD programme for student?

maumau

maumau

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We're encouraging an 18 year old matriculant to learn CAD. There are a couple of software packages on google and i've downloaded "floorplan" and bought "redstick" for my tablet. Neither of them look like a proper CAD programme.

Pse help with suggestions. I don't mind buying one of those cheapies if necessary just so the boy gets a feel for what's involved.

Thanks.
 
All Autodesk software is available from their site with student licenses.
It just prints an Autodesk watermark over the page.

It is however fully functional.
Just go and register for him or get him/her to do it and download the software.
 
Last edited:
rodga said:
Also get sketchup
easy to learn 3d modelling
Click to expand...

Imo autodesk products are industry standard for a reason.
Rather learn with AutoCad and go from there.
It's basically setting the perfect foundation for later work.
 
Electric said:
Imo autodesk products are industry standard for a reason.
Rather learn with AutoCad and go from there.
It's basically setting the perfect foundation for later work.
Click to expand...
true but sketchup is fun
what 18yr old do you know that prefer to mess around with autocad than with sketchup
If you want to get him interested it wont hurt exposing him to sketchup as well


also OP you didnt state the reasons for wanting him to get into CAD, is it for engineering? architecture? design? etc
 
rodga said:
also OP you didnt state the reasons for wanting him to get into CAD, is it for engineering? architecture? design? etc
Click to expand...

Any of them really but preferably engineering. He's quite keen but has to work hard to pass maths, however with the standard of maths teachers in schools i'm not surprised. if the bug bites and he finds some sort of direction he can concentrate on that specific field.
 
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maumau said:
Any of them really but preferably engineering. He's quite keen but has to work hard to pass maths, however with the standard of maths teachers in schools i'm not surprised. if the bug bites and he finds some sort of direction he can concentrate on that specific field.
Click to expand...

I am a Design Engineer, working in the industry for over 14 years.
Autocad is great for learning to work with Dumb solids and for basic parametric design.
Inventor is even better for 3D design as it is fully parametric with an assembly tree.

If he learns those 2 well he can pretty much move onto most other packages.
I started on Autocad R14 in 2D and worked my way up to Catia.
It's a good career choice imo.
 
Electric you absolutely have the right idea. I couldn't have put it better myself :) I've sent the link to Autodesk and will now forward this thread to the boy, highlighting your comments.

Sketchup could be fun on the side, tks Beachless and Rodga but as a possible career choice i think Autodesk is the best starting point.

Thanks for the input.
 
Electric said:
I am a Design Engineer, working in the industry for over 14 years.
Autocad is great for learning to work with Dumb solids and for basic parametric design.
Inventor is even better for 3D design as it is fully parametric with an assembly tree.

If he learns those 2 well he can pretty much move onto most other packages.
I started on Autocad R14 in 2D and worked my way up to Catia.
It's a good career choice imo.
Click to expand...

FreeCAD is also parametric its a really good open source product.
 
Electric said:
Cool.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to discredit any of your suggestions.
I was merely giving first hand experience.
Click to expand...

I know I'm just trying to keep focus on the free options as in this case they are really good and have a lot of tutorials and videos available. So there will be no limitations on the products if they designed something and want to publish or sell something they designed.
 
Get Cad from Autodesk on Student licence, that's the only way to start.
The rest can follow depending which route he would like to follow, i.e. Civil, 3dsMax, Mechanical, architectural etc.
 
Not sure, but my dad teaching engineering something something and they use AllyCad for the students.. apparently free version for students... google maybe...
 
Appreciate the suggestions/recommendations guys. Think i'll spend time over the weekend with him and have a look at these.

Who would've thought these big-name developers would allow students to use their software for free. Even if it doesn't print or if there's a watermark.

I'm guessing 2D would be complex enough to start with. An added bonus is the feedback from you guys who seem to think CAD is a good way to go, reinforcing our interest in encouraging Kyle.
 
maumau said:
Who would've thought these big-name developers would allow students to use their software for free. Even if it doesn't print or if there's a watermark.
Click to expand...

lock them into the product in the younger years and charge a fortune later when they working
 
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