Free 3d cad program maybe

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

patrick_1853

Member
Joined
May 5, 2004
Messages
128
Location
TN.
EDIT: Turns out it is legit. The company is definitely Alibre.

http://www.alibre.com/xpress/software/alibre-design-xpress.asp



www.x-cad.net
Found this link at a couple other forums I go to. Everthing I can find leads me to believe it is legit. Including the forums on several drafting websites. The rumor is that the company behind it is actually Alibre. An established CAD company (the early comfirmation emails came from Alibre, they quickly fixed that).

Anyway, I'm not getting my hopes up, but I figure since they are just asking for an email address and a comfirmation it isn't going to hurt anything to sign up. I figured I would pass it along in case anyone else wants to take a chance (the most you are risking is about 2 minutes). If you don't trust the website just set up a free email account with yahoo or google or hotmail (like I did :) ). I signed up about 3 weeks ago and haven't gotten any spam.

They aren't going to give out the software unless 100,000 people sign up. From other forums who are watching it closely, they seem to be averaging about 1500 a day, so they should make their goal.

edit: I guess the link might be useful www.x-cad.net
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I get a bad feeling when I see things like we need 100,000 names before we will give it away... just sounds too much like email mining to me... as stated, you can just give them a free email account.. but remember that a lot of free software also comes with spyware attached to it... so unless you have a real good spyware eliminator, I would be careful.
 
There is no arguing with caution like Grizz sez. But, at the same time, there is a lot of legit free stuff out there. My spyware protection is free, the anti-virus program in my wife's computer is free. Google Earth, Picasa, etc., etc. is all free. Even Yahoo mail, which is free comes with spy/virus protection. Besides, I'm already dead, Eagle's kilt me with his overwhelming innovation. [:)] [:p] What the hey, I'm giving it a shot. [:0]
 
Here's free with a catch; www.Rhino3D.com has software where you can try it out for free. The catch? You can only save a limited number of times. It's a great marketing strategy; they allow you to get a good feel for the power of the software and get hooked on it before having to buy it. They have great student pricing, and their normal pricing is not bad as well.
 
Ok, they released today that the company is in fact Alibre. The program is Alibre Design Xpress. BTW you can still sign up.

http://www.alibre.com/xpress/news/press-release.asp?source=http://forums.slickdeals.net/t118751.html?
 
Well, it should be interesting to see what everyone thinks, once we start getting the E-mail announcements. Please post here to let us know when you get yours; I'll do the same.
 
I found it interesting to read the forus on the site. A lot of impatient folks who are screaming for the link to the software NOW.

Something about ads in the software but I didn't read that closely.
 
One of the real interesting things I just learned is that you do not download and use the software on your computer like any other program... you have to do your work online through their site... that bites... I doubt I will opt for the download...
 
I agree, Tom. The computer I have that does the internet is old and slow and has a full hard drive. I have another one that I do all my CAD work on that's fast, but I'd rather not hook that one up to anything.
 
Having to stay connected to the internet is kind of deal breaker for me too. Their original list of requirements didn't include a need to be connected to the internet (the CEO of Alibre apologized for that on the forums for the program). He said it was just an oversight on their part, but I kind of doubt that considering the first level of upgrades you can buy is a $49 add free and internet not required version. I'm thinking they intentionally left it out because they new it would lower the interest level in the program and cut into their google add dollars.

The problem is, just like Bruce, there are quite a few people who won't connect their work computer to the internet. These are the same people who are more likely to buy upgraded versions of programs like these. If you dont have the internet on your work computer, you won't use the trial version. If you don't use the trial version, you won't get comfortable with the program. If you don't get comfortable with the program, you definitely won't buy a full version of it.

I will probably give it a try still but it will depend on how well it works with my dial up internet. I think (even if they had good intentions) Alibre definitely dropped the ball on this one. Oh well, maybe their programing department is better than their marketing department. :)
 
Originally posted by Old Griz
<br />One of the real interesting things I just learned is that you do not download and use the software on your computer like any other program... you have to do your work online through their site... that bites... I doubt I will opt for the download...
Click to expand...

That is the reality of what is coming in computers. There are those who predict geek things in computing who say, one day, hardrives will be unnecessary in personal computers. All your software and computing power will be on main servers somewhere out there in cyberspace. The people who own the laser engraving service I use are having their web site designed so that potential customers can create their items on their computers at home then click to order it made. Where is the computer they/you will be working on? India. I do some of my writing and file back-up on a free service from Yahoo. Where is the server where my 'stuff' is saved? I dunno. Cyberspace somewhere. There used to be, and still may be, services like Free Drive and Drive Space that gave certain amounts of use and storage space on their servers where you could actually upload software. Right now, I'm writing this to something called 'snitz' that, for all I know, is located in Willy Wonkas chocolate factory. Yes, Griz, new and interesting, maybe a little disturbing. Not unlike the first noisy horseless carriages. But, look at it this way, the CAD they are offering probably requires oodles and oodles more hard drive space and computer power than you have access to. They are offering it for free. Welcome to the Twighlight Zone. [:0]
 
Originally posted by alamocdc
<br />Not a peep, but I'm not all that surprised.
Click to expand...

I e-mailed them (BTW: the e-mail link is almost hidden real tiny at the bottom of the page) and asked. They replied promptly saying I had to log in to get the download. I tried logging in with my usual names and passwords, didn't work. I wrote their help, waiting for response. So, if you know your user name and password, try it.
 
That's odd - I received notice that I could download on August 1. The email contained a link to activate my account and get a username and password. I then received a second email (again, on Aug 1) with download instructions, username, and password.

Did they only allow exactly 100,000 registrants? I told my nephew about it at the time, but at some point he was denied because they already had 100,000. But he may have misunderstood something.

Haven't really used it much yet. Fired it up and went through one of the tutorials. First impression was pretty good, but not having a lot of CAD experience I don't have much to compare it to. Probably well worth the $49 as well if you use it much at all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom