I want to thank all contributors for their ideas/recommendations. I have looked a bit into Google Sketch-up, but do not see that it can export a .stl file for rapid prototyping. At present I am going to try Alibre, which has a free version which seems powerful enough to do all I need. The full version (about $1,000) is only 1/4 the price of Solidworks, if needed, and is available greatly discounted to students (I am enrolled at a local university as a continuing education student).
-Bill >> >>> I am hoping the sundial mailing list may be able to give me suggestions >>> on affordable software for design and rapid-prototyping. I want to be >>> able to design and rapid-prototype small sundial models or parts. >>> >>> I was about take a university course in Solidworks, because for $100 you >>> can buy a 2 year license for a working "full featured" student version, >>> EXCEPT that 1) It will not export a usable rapid-prototype file, and 2) >>> It will not export a Solidworks file for use on a commercial Solidworks >>> program. In this manner, Solidworks makes sure that nothing of >>> commercial value can be created on the inexpensive student version, and >>> that for commercial purposes, you have to use/buy the commercial >>> version, which starts at $4,000. I decided not to invest my time in the >>> Solidworks course. >>> >>> But I now wonder if there is a decent, more affordable program that lets >>> hobbyists and small businesses design 3-D models, and allows you to >>> export them in a file format suitable for rapid prototyping? >>> >>> -Bill Gottesman >>> --------------------------------------------------- >>> https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial >>> >>> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial >> >> >> > > > > --------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
