Free 3D-CAD software for building obstacles
Printed From: CAD Forum
Category: EN
Forum Name: CAD - general
Forum Description: General discussion about CAD, formats, standards, management, licensing, networking, harware, other CAD applications
URL: https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=12512
Printed Date: 09.Jul.2026 at 23:34
Topic: Free 3D-CAD software for building obstacles
Posted By: kEpsilon
Subject: Free 3D-CAD software for building obstacles
Date Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 11:18
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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. |
Replies:
Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 13:47
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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. ------------- "Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance." <<AutoCAD 2015>> |
Posted By: kEpsilon
Date Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 14:06
Because I need the software on a regular basis and not just for 30 days.
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.
I'm neither of the above.. |
Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 01.Nov.2017 at 14:11
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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. ------------- "Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance." <<AutoCAD 2015>> |
Posted By: restcad
Date Posted: 13.Nov.2017 at 20:13
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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:  |