[rmmottola]

Folks,

I have been looking for some time for 3D CAD software that meets an list of requirements. My hope is that someone that is familiar with a wide range of products will be able to help point me in the right direction. The software will be used to make relatively simple 3D models for publication. No photo realistic rendering is needed, but I do need to be able to save/export the drawings as high resolution bitmaps. In addition, the models often need to be rendered simultaneously in both solid and wireframe, and the software must provide control over how dense the wireframe mesh is. This software would be used only occasionally and so it can't be expensive. Yeah, I know, a lot of odd requirements.

I've already tried the following:

AutoCAD (v?) - Don't know which version this is but it is an antique. Generation of solids is tedious.

TurboCAD - More or less up to date software, but again, solid generation is tedious.

Alibre - Can only output bitmaps at low resolution; rendering removes wireframe.

FreeCAD - No control of wireframe density.

Any help would be much appreciated!

rm

[awerby]

That's an odd requirement. Most 3D CAD programs aren't concerned with producing bitmap images of the models, since they're not really useful for anything. 2d drawings are usually exported in vector formats like DXF, not bitmap formats like GIF, although there are programs that will convert them. Have you tried doing screen captures of the wireframe model images? That might be the only way to get the pictures you want.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[BOATDUDEGUY]

MASTERCAM`s solid modeling package is pretty solid and versitle and only about 1k

however if you need to go balls to the walls
SOLIDWORKDS or
DELCAM`S POWERSHAPE

[BurrMan]

Folks,

I have been looking for some time for 3D CAD software that meets an list of requirements. My hope is that someone that is familiar with a wide range of products will be able to help point me in the right direction. The software will be used to make relatively simple 3D models for publication. No photo realistic rendering is needed, but I do need to be able to save/export the drawings as high resolution bitmaps.

Any help would be much appreciated!

rm

I have a good suggestion, although this part confused me:

In addition, the models often need to be rendered simultaneously in both solid and wireframe, and the software must provide control over how dense the wireframe mesh is. This software would be used only occasionally and so it can't be expensive. Yeah, I know, a lot of odd requirements.

You are speaking about "wireframe"... Not sure what you mean there. I mean a true NURBS Sphere only has a single 180 degree arc as it's wireframe.... Although after I dice it up into a poly model, then I have "WireFrame".....

My suggestion is to look at "Moment of Inspiration".

Fairly inexpensive and a good modeler.

You can run a "viewport capture" from within the program, as opposed to a "screen grab". The resolution will only be limited by the ability of your Video card to generate the grab, so a good card can get 4000x4000 and up, and save it to clipboard, or directly to a file.

The Beta version now has "hidden line" removal and export to pdf and ai. Perfect for communications.

You can run the demo to check out the modeling. You wont be able to load the beta build unless you purchase it. You could ask someone in that forum to show you hidden line results if you need to see before purchase.

[Emil Grigo]

I seem to be a little out of my depth here - the limit to my design experience so far is to produce plans for the Planning Department at the local council with regards to our project splitting our house in to flats.
carobd2shop.com

[Tkamsker]

I use Turbocad pro for the Mac there is an rendering function (which I never used...) But it has strong Architect Features and it is real cheap so Try it and see if you like it ...

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[rpicinic]

Personally I would use Autodesk Inventor LT for simple 3D parts modelling. Plus Autodesk now offers a free 2.5 axis CAM system called HSM Express.


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