An alternative to sketchup?
Creating 3D designs for students … well there are several alternatives. Many schools will use PTC Creo Elements Pro (the new name for Pro/ENGINEER) under the “schools program”… this is absolutely fantastic as schools can use this free and students are able to install the program at home too. A similar scheme also allows students to use Autodesk software. However…
Both programs are “pretty full on” professional packages and students have a steep learning curve. The alternative is to use Google Sketchup (with the .dxf/.stl export plugin), and students seem to like the sketchy way to created their 3D designs ready for printing. But there may be another free alternative on the horizon from Autodesk – “123D” see http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/05/democratizing-design/ . Ok there are going to be links to Ponoko and Techshop but this may prove to be a useful alternative 3D design tool.
If you would like to be notified when this download becomes available try visiting http://www.123dapp.com/ and registering your e-mail address. Watch this space for more developments.
