There has been many posts about cad software in the past. However, many so
callled freeware are crippled commercial demo. Since it takes some effort to
learn a 3D cad software, I don't want to spend a lot of time to evaluate a
demo only to discover the feature I need is crippled. Therefore, your advice
is needed.

I'm looking for a free (or the least expensive) cad program that
-allows exact dimensions to be entered (e.g. a piece of wood that is
3.5-inch by 1.5 inch by 8 feet)
-can output the design with all dimensions labeled, like an archetectural
drawing
-can view, rotate in 3D with simple surface (e.g. wood grain)
-can save/print the design

I checked out google's sketchup. It is easy enough to sketch, and I can even
enter dimensions of object. But that part doesn't seem very well developed.
I could not figure out how to enter the rotation angle of objects. Plus I
don't think it can produce an output with dimensions labeled. But then, I've
only spent 30 minutes playing with it.

What exactly are the differences between a modeling software and a CAD
software?



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com