CAD, BIM & 3D

netfabb Studio is a new version of this software to manipulate 3D models in the context of fabrication. STL files can be loaded but also assessed and even fixed. It might not be a full Magics alternative, but it has a free (Windows) version and a non-free more extensive version. Check it out at http://www.netfabb.com

After a very long time, there is an updated version of the Exchange Plugin, which is a free add-on for ArchiCAD 12 and Cinema4D (R10.5 or 11), for Windows and OSX. It replaces the deprecated MaxonForm and allows you to combine work from ArchiCAD and Cinema4D in two major ways: render your ArchiCAD project in Cinema4D and update the geometry from ArchiCAD embed freeform Cinema4D geometry as GDL object inside ArchiCAD and even update them again in Cinema4D There have been long complaints about the combination of both, so I hope they finally got it right with this update. http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad-solutions/cinema4d_download.html

The researchers from Microsoft created this free gem, called Microsoft ICE, which is to be found at http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/ . You can use it to merge your snapshots into stunning panoramic images (or other projections). Windows-only, obviously.

On http://www.craftanimations.com/index.cfm?objectid=86E1B03E-EBF3-C495-703D3F30099FF423 you can register to download a series of free plugins (+ demo versions of commercial plugins) which work in all (recent) versions of 3ds Max, Maya and Cinema4D (on all of their platforms and in 32+64 bit). Mainly targeted at improving animation of cars, planes or camera's, these utilities can assist with different animation tasks.

The Modelur software is a plug-in for SketchUp which is currently entering beta-testing. There are some YouTube movies to watch and you can register to test the software. http://www.modelur.com

After Microsoft bought Caligari, it turned Truespace free. But apparently, the crisis is having an effect on the future of Truespace. It is assumed that the Truespace software and everything around it will be cancelled. Read a notice from the founder of Truespace: http://www.caligari.com/News/news_200905/LetterFromTheFounder.html .

According to the Novedge blog, CadSoft releases a free version of their CAD software for residential design, called Envisioneer Express. Read more at http://blog.novedge.com/2009/05/cadsoft-releases-envisioneerexpress-50-free-download.html . Direct link to the product page for this software at http://www.envisioneerexpress.com .