3D CAD software packages
Alibre: Formerly Geomagic Design
Ansys SpaceClaim: SketchUp on steroids
Autodesk Fusion 360:
Autodesk Inventor: Autodesks's primary 3D mechanical design software
BricsCAD:
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks: De facto industry standard parametric modeler
FreeCAD: Open-source parametric modeler
IronCAD:
Onshape: Promising modern CAD system from former SW crew
Protocase Designer: Enclosure designer from Protocase
PTC Creo:
Siemens Solid Edge: Powerful hybrid modeler
Trimble SketchUp: Everyone's favorite free 3D modeling program
ZW3D:
Price is for the cheapest version of the software that includes sheet metal functionality.
I think this covers all the main packages that aren't crazy expensive (NX, CATIA, etc.), but please leave any suggestions below. Feedback on any of these in the context of SFF case design would be greatly appreciated as well!
2D CAD software packages
Mentioned for completeness but not recommended except for simple acrylic panels and the like.
Alibre: Formerly Geomagic Design
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $2000 ($400/yr maintenance, optional?)
Cons:
Price: $2000 ($400/yr maintenance, optional?)
Ansys SpaceClaim: SketchUp on steroids
Pros: Easy to use direct modeler, native import/export of SketchUp files
Cons: Not commonly used in the industry, very limited parametric options
Price: ~$3200 (including $800 1-year maintenance fee, optional after first year)
Note: There is a free version of SC called DesignSpark Mechanical but it's missing the sheet metal tools and has limited export options.
Cons: Not commonly used in the industry, very limited parametric options
Price: ~$3200 (including $800 1-year maintenance fee, optional after first year)
Note: There is a free version of SC called DesignSpark Mechanical but it's missing the sheet metal tools and has limited export options.
Autodesk Fusion 360:
Pros: Easy to use, with hybrid parametric and direct modeling. Works on Mac
Cons: Only stores files in the cloud, sheet metal module not finished (yet)
Price: Free for startups making less than $100,000/yr (or equivalent), students, and hobbyists
Cons: Only stores files in the cloud, sheet metal module not finished (yet)
Price: Free for startups making less than $100,000/yr (or equivalent), students, and hobbyists
Autodesk Inventor: Autodesks's primary 3D mechanical design software
Pros: Integration with other Autodesk products
Cons: Poor backwards compatibility and support
Price: $235/mo or $1890/yr
Cons: Poor backwards compatibility and support
Price: $235/mo or $1890/yr
BricsCAD:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: ~$2000 including import/export add-on (not including maintenance)
Cons:
Price: ~$2000 including import/export add-on (not including maintenance)
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks: De facto industry standard parametric modeler
Pros: Everyone uses it
Cons: Expensive, limited direct modeling
Price: ~$4000 (not including optional $1500 annual maintenance fee)
Cons: Expensive, limited direct modeling
Price: ~$4000 (not including optional $1500 annual maintenance fee)
FreeCAD: Open-source parametric modeler
Pros: Multi-platform, including Linux
Cons: Sheet metal is a WIP
Base price: Free (duh)
Cons: Sheet metal is a WIP
Base price: Free (duh)
IronCAD:
Pros:
Cons:
Price: $4000?
Cons:
Price: $4000?
Onshape: Promising modern CAD system from former SW crew
Pros: Browser-based so it works on anything with a web modern browser
Cons: Browser-based so it doesn't work without internet
Price: Free for non-commercial use, with public documents only. Pro plan is $125/mo.
Cons: Browser-based so it doesn't work without internet
Price: Free for non-commercial use, with public documents only. Pro plan is $125/mo.
Protocase Designer: Enclosure designer from Protocase
Pros: Built-in instant price quoting, multi-platform
Cons: Limited capability compared to full CAD programs, limited export options (for now)
Price: Free
Cons: Limited capability compared to full CAD programs, limited export options (for now)
Price: Free
PTC Creo:
Pros:
Cons:
Price:
Cons:
Price:
Siemens Solid Edge: Powerful hybrid modeler
Pros: Uses flexible hybrid parametric/direct modeling, available as monthly subscription
Cons: Website is terrible, can't easily do mitered corner flanges for some reason
Price: $230/mo. $4000 for perpetual license?
Cons: Website is terrible, can't easily do mitered corner flanges for some reason
Price: $230/mo. $4000 for perpetual license?
Trimble SketchUp: Everyone's favorite free 3D modeling program
Pros: Easy to use, lots of readily available computer part 3D models available
Cons: Not a solid modeler, very limited export capabilities, no sheet metal tools built-in
Price: Free ($700 for Pro version)
Cons: Not a solid modeler, very limited export capabilities, no sheet metal tools built-in
Price: Free ($700 for Pro version)
ZW3D:
Pros:
Cons:
Price:
Cons:
Price:
Price is for the cheapest version of the software that includes sheet metal functionality.
I think this covers all the main packages that aren't crazy expensive (NX, CATIA, etc.), but please leave any suggestions below. Feedback on any of these in the context of SFF case design would be greatly appreciated as well!
2D CAD software packages
Mentioned for completeness but not recommended except for simple acrylic panels and the like.
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