eraujk

Solidworks and Catia provided free at my school. should probably start learning autocad for post-school projects...

4WHLN

I use autocad 2008 and 2010 at work along with Google sketchup for the 3d renderings for house plans. cad can be real expensive if you want the license.

FAMILY-CRAWL

Solidworks and Pro-E Depending on the project.

longshank

I use to use Pro-e, but use Spaceclaim, for 3D designing its gets 10 out of 10, Solidworks, Autocad Inventor are also good 3d packages, Spaceclaim is history free, so for designing its easyer.

Sketchup is great for 3d, and its free.

djcook68

autocad 06, cadkey, frestag.... i prefer autocad 06

RubiKing

I have used AutoCad and Solid Works extensively at work and this is what I think:

It really depends on the object that ou are modeling, and the type of modeling that you are planning on doing. If your going to do 2d modeling then use AutoCad, its fast and cheap and a good program. This 2d model is basically the drawing that is used to make the part.

In my experience, AutoCad is not the best for 3d modeling. If you plan on doing 3d modeling then use Solid Works, its very intuitive. Once you make a 3d model you then make a 2d drawing so that it can be made.

What do I mean by 3d and 2d modeling? I will try to give you examples, If I was making a floor plan for a house I would use AutoCad. Or if i was making a verys simple frame bed I would use AutoCadd.

Now If I was modeling a complex part like a sink (which I do daily at my job) I would use Solid Edge.

Basically if you plan on making something with complex shapes and curves, use Solid works.

currdog

AutoCAD at work. Used Microstation as well with previous employer.

GOJOHNNYGO

AutoCAD 06 here, used it and SolidWorks @ a previous employer.

TimberwolfFXDL

Have you tried the newer versions? They changed Autocad a lot after the 07 version. I like it!

GOJOHNNYGO

I am working on getting 2011 now, they really like the 3d drawings... hopefully it will be soon.