# Recomendations for (free) simple CAD software

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 24, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064 "2011-05-24T20:44:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064/1 "2011-05-24T20:44:47Z")

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I was interested in building my own computer case so that I could have a unit that would more closely fit into my available space, given the components that I have. To this end, I have been making sketches on paper, but have not been happy with the inexact view this provides. What I was hoping to find is a simple (and free) Windows-based 3D CAD program that would allow me to define the size and shape of components and then move them around, so I could check out different placement options.

I know that around 20 years ago this type of software was all over the place. Does anyone have recommendations on what to use today?

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**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064/2 "2011-05-24T20:47:58Z")

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Google Sketchup? I downloaded it but haven’t messed with it too much. It looks pretty useful. There is a library of models out there for it too.

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**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064/3 "2011-05-24T20:49:01Z")

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Give Google’s [SketchUp](http://sketchup.google.com/) a try. I haven’t done much beyond doodling and it certainly isn’t AutoCAD, but it may work well for your needs. It’s got both free and pro versions.

ETA: Simulrecomendation!

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**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064/4 "2011-05-24T22:11:15Z")

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Wow! Thanks guys.

But of course, Google has a free solution for this. After all it is something I could use, and they have cornered the market on free things that are extremely useful. I should have looked there first. :smack:

It will take me a bit to get up to speed on how it works, but I already see that other people have created projects similar to what I wanted to do. Using one of the existing models as a basis will save me a great deal of time.

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**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recomendations-for-free-simple-cad-software/583064/5 "2011-05-25T10:28:12Z")

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I also recommend Google Sketchup. My brother used it frequently during his first years of his architectural education.