Hey everyone! A while back, I used SketchUp to create simple designs like a desk and a cat tree. It was super intuitive and free as long as you didn't use it for commercial purposes. Now that it's only available online for free, I'm looking for alternatives that are user-friendly. I've also tried Blender and FreeCAD, but I just don't find them as easy to work with as SketchUp. Does anyone know of any free 3D design software that's simple to use like SketchUp, or will I have to pay for a good one?
3 Answers
If you liked SketchUp, you can still download and use SketchUp 2017. It's better than the online version, plus you can still use items from the 3D warehouse and extensions. I dabble in Tinkercad too; it's fun for 3D printing and some woodworking projects.
Fusion 360 could be a great option for you! It's generally smoother than FreeCAD, although Autodesk is limiting the free version more lately. Onshape is another alternative; it’s free but keep in mind all your designs are public unless you pay. Not many good free CAD tools out there right now!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll check out Fusion and Onshape since I don’t mind sharing my designs as it’s just a hobby.
I'm also on the free version of Fusion 360—it's perfect as long as you don't use it commercially. I found that it’s pretty intuitive even for beginners, but you might want to watch some starter tutorials. Switching from SketchUp took some getting used to, but once you do, it’s really powerful!
Thanks, I’m hearing a lot about Fusion360 lately. It might be just what I need for designing a cradle for my future baby!
Totally agree! If you’re comfortable with SketchUp, that’s a solid choice.