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260 Making Things Move

TABLE 9-1 Programs for 2D and 3D Modeling

COMPATIBILITY
COST WINDOWS MAC LINUX NOTES
2D
*Inkscape Free x x x Open source.
QCAD 24 euro x x x Open source. Offers a free
demo version for trial, but
the software terminates
after 10 minutes of use
and can be used only up to
100 hours.
Adobe Illustrator $599 x x Considered the standard
vector-drawing tool.
Dimensioning plug-ins can
help make clear 2D plans.
AutoCAD $3,975 x Good for 2D parts and
plans; not the best for 3D
modeling. AutoCAD LT is a
stripped-down version of
AutoCAD, available for
$1,200.
3D
Blender Free x x x Steep learning curve and
more suited to animation
and character modeling
than machine design.
Open source software is
promising but not very
useful for machine design.
Art of Illusion Free x x x Free, open source 3D
MESH modeling and rendering
studio. Decent as open
source software goes, but
clumsy for machine design.
Very basic program; not
easy to model anything but
the simplest shapes.
Google SketchUp Free x x Good for 2D and 3D part
and assembly design. Very
easy to learn and useful to
visualize concepts.