I am a very happy user of Solid Edge Community Edition Paul.

Rather than repeat myself, I previously laid out my reasons for adopting it here:

Solid Edge CE

I'm now usingthe latest version (SE 2023) quite happily. If you are a Windows user, don't like Cloud based applications and want a fully featured 2D/3D parametric CAD system, then I don't think SE can be beat.

Regards,

IanT

I can second Solid edge as it is the only one I have been able to use to create a working output for my 3d printer; I am still in the early stages but have produced model (probably of a crude standard) but they worked.

JES

Thanks for the suggestions, solid edge is looking like a good option but tried downloading and installing solid edge last night, after about 30 minutes to download I tried installing it, and after getting past windows defender, which I thought was disabled, tried installing programme was unpacking it and then came up with file is corrupted message, will try again later.

The link I used to download was the one in the post IanT linked to will see if I can find a different one, but for now got a magneto to fit on my douglas and timing belts on the paso and then go for test rides so that will keep me out of trouble for today.

I have to give a big thumbs up to Designspark mechanical. It's free, it needs to connect to the internet about once a month (Each time I use it I set my system date to the date I installed it. A pain, but I can live with that) I use DS5 rather than the newer DS6 because 5 can import step files, 6 can't. It will produce an stl file for 3D printing, but can't produce a detailed drawing, only simple drawings, which is fine for my needs.

I have to admit that Solid Edge is by far the superior programme, and about a zillion times more difficult! (It could just be me).

Out of all the freebies, FreeCAD is the free-est with a lot going for it. It will produce stl's, drawings and animation. The learning curve is almost vertical.

A decent CAD will never be free although you may get a free trial period

Got Alibre Atom a couple of months ago for 250 and it's been a gamechanger, plus everything is on your computer and can be backed up, essential once you start getting hundreds of widgets

I took the free route for quite a few years but if you want to get serious then you've got to get serious, not play at it

With a trial period you can see if you get on with it

This is me within 8 weeks of starting from almost nowhere and I've got a bucketload of stuff on my computer now, I will never be bored ever again

Your licence only needs to be verified once on the net then as long as you don't do something like a system restore it will be fine. If you are going to mess about with your computer then you release your licence back to the Alibre server, sort out your computer, then get it put back afterwards

It's so simple its ridiculous

Edited By Ady1 on 21/03/2023 11:46:25

I also give a vote to Alibre Atom.

I took advantage of the free trial, worked through the free training manual then purchased the package.

This was about 10 months ago, has worked very well with no issues.

I have managed to draw almost a fully detailed tender loco with few problems. Very pleased with the result.

Hi Paul

OK, understand on the location issue. It might not be dome and gloom.

When in your home region your phone will always look for the service provider you have signed up for and ignores other providers that might have better coverage in the location. This is why when you are roaming overseas the mobile coverage always seems better when in fact your phone is free to hop from provider to provider to always give you the strongest signal.

All the providers have coverage maps on their websites so you can check against postcode. The coverage maps will also change as more services / masts come online.

FreeCAD meets the basic requirement, which is producing 2D drawings of 3D parts and 3D printing, with no internet connection. It's not like AutoCAD. Also, bit experimental guv', and very broadly scoped, providing a mass of workbenches liable to confuse beginners. Hint: almost everything Mechanical Engineers need is in 'Part Design', and the rest can be ignored. FreeCAD doesn't do Assemblies yet. The licence is truly open – no commercial booby traps.

Solid Edge CE is in a different league because it provides strong support for multi-part designs, Assemblies, and Assemblies of Assemblies. There's not much it can't do. It's a commercial package made available to hobbyists with a few restrictions and the license is on a grace and favour basis. The risk is the CE version might be withdrawn, leaving users in the lurch. It doesn't need to connect to the internet. Also unlike AutoCAD.

Not having the internet at all will cause another problem though – most of the manuals, tutorials and help are on-line. The built-help provided with many CAD packages is reference material, not a teaching aid. Learning to drive a CAD package in the first place is best done with an internet connection. Maybe an antenna on the roof?

I use FreeCAD for almost all my 3D printing needs and designing single parts. Solid Edge takes over as soon as a design consists of two or more parts.

Dave

Posted by Pete White on 21/03/2023 12:46:44:I forgot to mention that I don't run windows …….get a slapping if I mention Linux, that limits choice to a cloud based sytem I think?

One of the advantages of Freecad is that a Linux version is available. I would agree that its learning curve is steep but it is very comprehensive.

Russell

Why use a CAD drawing as the 3D print or other CAM ought to be fully integrated?

Mind you I am also getting flashbacks to Tony Hart and Morph!😂😂

Solid Edge will run in WINE by all accounts, although I can't account for how well it runs.

If your PC is beefy enough a Windows VM instance would allow you to run most CAD programmes, but it will be extra resource intensive.

You could also install a windows instance on an AWS server, and RDP into that (although AWS is chargable over a certain usage level, albeit it's something like $0.20 per hour)

There's also Dual-Boot, which would be my choice in your shoes.