Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Does anybody know of a good 3d design program thats free?

profile picture
Z.J.H.
Posts: 842 - Karma: 1,541
I have an idea that i want to put into a 3d form but dont know where to start. suggestions?
Jan 15 2013 12:39PM
2 0
profile picture
-Otto-
Posts: 456 - Karma: 40
Use Google Sketchup, it's an easy to use program that's free.
Jan 15 2013 12:56PM
0 0
profile picture
ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
dis.
Jan 15 2013 12:58PM
0 0
profile picture
GGreene
Posts: 993 - Karma: 42
if you have a .edu email you can download any of the autodesk software for free once you create an account.
Jan 15 2013 1:13PM
0 0
profile picture
KAS
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 68
http://www.blender.org/
www.blender.org

Blender is a free 3d program that goes to all OS systems I think. It used to cost money I think, but then became free for some reason.

I used it for a little bit, it's just really hard to use, if you don't know what you're doing. But I've seen what people have made on it it and it's pretty good.
Jan 15 2013 2:21PM
0 0
profile picture
cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
+1 for sketchup
Jan 15 2013 2:38PM
0 0
profile picture
cope+
Posts: 763 - Karma: 870
Lightwave is the best IMO, get a trial or torrent it
Jan 15 2013 4:03PM
0 0
profile picture
_____alfredo____
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 2,503
blender no doubt yo
Jan 15 2013 4:32PM
0 0
profile picture
.Capn.
Posts: 1454 - Karma: 152
What do you want to use it for? I use a few different CAD programs, mostly for 3d printing. Sketchup is the easiest to pick up and use but it can be difficult to make smooth/curved surface. This is an area that blender succeeds at, but you'll need to watch some tutorials to get familiar with the environment. If you want to do it for a profession get involved with some clubs at school that can give you access to Solidworks, or just pony up and buy it. Best all around CAD software in my opinion.
Jan 15 2013 4:38PM
0 0
profile picture
nagger
Posts: 1576 - Karma: 883
maya is easy to torrent
Jan 15 2013 4:49PM
0 0
profile picture
WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
Creo
Jan 15 2013 6:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Bakeshow
Posts: 585 - Karma: 197
If you are in high school go see the science department at your school. I took a CAD course that used Pro-Engineer. pretty easy program to learn and you can do a lot more than on google sketchup. but if you don't have access to something like this, then just use sketch-up
Jan 15 2013 6:16PM
0 0
profile picture
gudelo.
Posts: 487 - Karma: 669
This, i have used it for a while now. It's pretty complicated in the beginning, but there is many tutorials on youtube.
Jan 15 2013 6:16PM
0 0
profile picture
*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 258
what are you designing?

99% of the time Sketchup is your best option.
Jan 15 2013 6:16PM
0 0
profile picture
mmallender.
Posts: 5805 - Karma: 936
aside from sketchup, i really dont know of many other free 3d modelling programs.

much of the 3d modelling software is specific to what you are designing. once you learn how to use the program, you will have a much easier time designing something with moving parts (watch, ski binding, etc) with a program such as solid works versus building an environment/architecture with a program like rhino
Jan 15 2013 6:23PM
0 0
profile picture
.tony
Posts: 321 - Karma: 74
cinema 4d is like 40mb or whatever. Really good program for beginners. You can find an authorization code on youtube. Technically not illegal since somebody did pay for the code. Just download the c4d demo and get a code off a youtube video or use blender.
Jan 15 2013 6:45PM
0 0
profile picture
-Otto-
Posts: 456 - Karma: 40
Solidworks is definitely the best program, I'm currently using it to design some rails/boxes, nothing too spectacular.
Jan 16 2013 4:42AM
0 0
profile picture
feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
blender is really really good for being free. i cannot estimate how many people put how many hours into that. from all freeware programs (in general) i am aware of, its definitely the best.

i am no expert though and just needed a few basic things like short intros for movies and other stuff.
Jan 16 2013 6:44AM
0 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i'm not familiar with blender but sketchup is pretty much my go to tool for making 3d sketches of my whacky ideas ....
Jan 16 2013 7:38AM
0 0
profile picture
Stope.Neeze
Posts: 594 - Karma: 148
solidworks?
Jan 17 2013 12:56PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)