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3D Parametric Solid Modeling Software "FREE"

Web based, SolidWorks style "FREE" software

  1. sgspenceley
    I have been a SolidWorks user and fan for many years. In my build thread DoctorZ mentioned this new software, developed by the original founders of SolidWorks.

    https://cad.onshape.com

    This is worth signing up for! It's fully functional and is FREE under a few conditions. Parametric modeling takes a little getting used to, but once you have learned to model in this way you can never go back to surface modelers like SketchUp or Rhino for designing parts that need to fit together.

    This is a marketing quote...
    "Onshape is a new venture-backed company that is applying cloud, web and mobile technologies to CAD. Our team includes the original SolidWorks team plus elite engineers from the data center, security, and mobile industries. We are working hard on a new generation of CAD. It's not quite ready yet"

    I signed up today for the "Free" version and amazed this software works, so well in a modern browser like Chrome...

    https://www.onshape.com/tutorials

    More marketing info
    http://www.solidsmack.com/cad/onshape-developing-new-cad-system-five-reasons-just-beginning/
    Mark Carew and Said like this.

Recent Reviews

  1. Mark Carew
    Mark Carew
    5/5,
    Looks like a great CAD system. However my only worry is that it may become a monthly bill after the beta is complete and once everyone that uses it is hooked on it. I am seeing a move toward these monthly bills for software instead of out right purchase and I am not a fan of new monthly bills. Let's hope they don't go this route.
    Mar 24, 2015
    1. sgspenceley
      Author's Response
      Hi Mark, the key limitation is they limit the number of projects you can work on! They make it free until you really start enjoying it. Then it's a $100 per month. For a hobby person 5 projects at once is Ok in my opinion.
      The whole industry is switching to the monthly subscription model. While I don't like it it's better for many startups because it's easier to justify vs paying $3000 plus for SolidWorks and then an additional 20% annual subscription fee.
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