CAD programs

[Jak24]

HI !

I am looking for Cad programs to design my robot, i currently use Google sketch-up but i would like something a bit
more advanced!
Most of the good Cad program like Autodesk, solidworks are way to expensive
The only one that i found that is within my price range is Alibre: https://www.alibre.com/
does anyone have any experience with it? is it hard to learn?
suggestion and advice are welcome!
Thanks

Regards
 
Jak24

[futmacl]

Alibre is the best known low-cost package. Rhino3D is also pretty affordable, and is widely loved.

All CAD programs are somewhat hard to learn initially, but not that painful. There's a good overview of the learning process in the second part of my CNC robotics guide - http://lcamtuf.coredump.cx/guerrilla_cnc1.shtml

[knossos]

Autodesk products are available free to students for 13 months.  You have to have a student e-mail though.

[Aberg098]

Not to condone such things, but there's always torrent...

I personally use Solidworks a lot, I have use Rhino, Pro/E and Autocad as well. All have their pros/cons, but my advice is to find whatever you can get for cheap. Once familiar with one package, migrating to others is much easier.

+1 on student versions, if that is an option for you.

[Admin]

SolidWorks also has a student version.