# free, open source (or cheap) CAD / CAM software?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 8, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962 "2011-03-08T20:07:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Livardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/43a26b/32.png) [@Livardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Livardo)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/1 "2011-03-08T20:07:36Z")

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Hi,

I’ve got a neat little idea in my head and I would like to start modeling it. This device will probably have a couple of moving parts but nothing too fancy. Probably no more than three interlocking parts acting on each other.

If I can’t simulate the motion, I guess I’ll be happy with just the CAD part.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

ps: for Windows, but if there’s something nice for Linux, I’ll install it.

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**Author:** ![lonestar88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lonestar88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonestar88)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/2 "2011-03-08T20:23:34Z")

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I’ve used the free version of DoubleCAD before, its pretty decent for a free version, and was compatible with AutoCAD 2009 (if I’m remembering correctly from the last time I used it).

[http://www.doublecad.com/](http://www.doublecad.com/)

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**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/3 "2011-03-09T00:51:20Z")

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For Linux, try searching on [freshmeat.net](http://freshmeat.net).

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**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/4 "2011-03-09T01:19:35Z")

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Google SketchUp. I don’t understand why Google keeps making cool software, but doesn’t advertise it.

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**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/5 "2011-03-09T01:56:53Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Google SketchUp. I don’t understand why Google keeps making cool software, but doesn’t advertise it.

I’ll second that. I’ve done entire projects using Sketch Up. It doesn’t have the Jedi powers of AutoCAD, but gawd damn it is nice to use.

I believe Google bought Sketch Up.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-open-source-or-cheap-cad-cam-software/573962/6 "2011-03-09T08:27:49Z")

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There are a few (somewhat specialised) offerings here:  
[http://www.solidworks.co.uk/sw/products/free-cad-software-downloads.htm](http://www.solidworks.co.uk/sw/products/free-cad-software-downloads.htm)