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-coordinates2. Draw lines from point to point to get a closed boundary3. Extrude this planar boundary to a solid prismatic 3D-object4. 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.

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.



John Connor2017-11-01 13:55:19

[quote]Why not just download a 30-day trial version of AutoCAD?[/quote]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?[/quote]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.[/quote]I'm neither of the above..kEpsilon2017-11-01 14:06:26

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.


John Connor2017-11-01 14:35:26

you can try this tool: restcad.com1. Open a tab "3D design"2. Select a tool "shape"3. Create the shape4. 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: