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Topic ClosedFree 3D-CAD software for building obstacles

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kEpsilon View Drop Down
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Joined: 01.Nov.2017
Location: Germany
Using: FreeCAD, Blender
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Free 3D-CAD software for building obstacles
    Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 11:18
Hello fellow forum members,

I'm searching for a freeware 3D-CAD program, which only needs to be capable of the following "simple" tasks:
1. Define points and their XYZ-coordinates
2. Draw lines from point to point to get a closed boundary
3. Extrude this planar boundary to a solid prismatic 3D-object
4. Save this object as *.dwg (preferred) or *.stl.

I thought this was quite an easy task, but I'm getting stuck with every tool I tried so far. Most of them don't allow definition of parametric XYZ-coordinates or are not able to combine them. HeeksCAD does the job but is very uncomfortable and contains bugs.

Any recommendation? I'm willing to put a little effort to this, but I need to be sure that it's worth it before investing time and realising it's not possible with the tool I'm using.
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John Connor View Drop Down
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Joined: 01.Feb.2011
Location: United States
Using: AutoCAD 2018
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 13:47
Why not just download a 30-day trial version of AutoCAD?

What other programs have you tired so far?  Have you tried FreeCAD or OpenSCAD?

Or how about Fusion 360 by AutoDesk?  It is free for startups, hobbyists, and enthusiasts.

Edited by John Connor - 01.Nov.2017 at 13:55
"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

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kEpsilon View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 14:06
Quote
Why not just download a 30-day trial version of AutoCAD?

Because I need the software on a regular basis and not just for 30 days.

Quote What other programs have you tired so far? Have you tried FreeCAD or OpenSCAD?

I've been working with FreeCAD, but on the first sight it was not possible to enter XYZ-coordinates of points easily.

I didn't try the others yet, but that's why I was asking: If you know what I'm trying to achieve is possible, with these programs, just tell me. I don't want to dig in every single program and find out it's not possible.

Quote
Or how about Fusion 360 by AutoDesk? It is free for startups, hobbyists, and enthusiasts.

I'm neither of the above..

Edited by kEpsilon - 01.Nov.2017 at 14:06
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John Connor View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 14:11
I have no experience with any of the programs.  Part of finding a suitable program is testing.  It goes with the territory. 

Another option would be to rent a program, like full AutoCAD, on an as needed (monthly?) basis.

You can buy nanoCAD Pro for $290 U.S.  It has 3D capability and compared to renting full AutoCAD for an entire year ($1470 U.S.) it's a bargain.


Edited by John Connor - 01.Nov.2017 at 14:35
"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

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restcad View Drop Down
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Joined: 16.Apr.2016
Location: Kazakhstan
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13.Nov.2017 at 20:13
you can try this tool: restcad.com

1. Open a tab "3D design"
2. Select a tool "shape"
3. Create the shape
4. At the end of constrution input the desired "Thickness"
5. Go to tab "Project"
6. Click to button "Save to disk"

Result in RestCAD:




Result of export in AutoCAD:



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