CAD, BIM & 3D

CADDIT has released a free CAD application, based on ProgeCAD (which in itself uses IntelliCAD). It can be downloaded at http://www.caddit.net/progecad/smart.php and has to be registered. Beware that only non-commercial use is allowed. Some features of the commercial (but cheap) ProgrCAD are not available in the SMART version. As always, Windows-only.

Houdini Apprentice has been available for some time, providing a free but non-commercial version of Houdini procedural animation without cost (but with limitations). Recently, SideFX added the "Starving Artist Edition" to the apprentice program , providing HD-capability for animations (1920x1080 pixels) and watermark-free rendering. It will cost $99, which is cheap compared to the full commercial prices. It uses the same non-commercial file format as the free apprentice edition and is not usable for commercial purposes. Available for Windows and Linux.

The highly popular NURBS modeller Rhino is being ported to run on Mac OSX. You can currently apply for the free beta-test and see if it works for you. The Windows version of Rhino is available as a free but fully functional trial which allows you to save (or export) 25 times.

The Belgian firm Materialise , specializing in consultancy, services and development for rapid prototyping has released a free tool for inspection and conversion of STL files, based on their flagship Magics software. It's called Minimagics and is available for Windows. You can use it to inspect STL files and to optimize their format. The actual tools to correct errors and optimize the geometry are only available in their (expensive) commercial tools.

Vico Software creates a suite of applications for Virtual Construction, which are based on Graphisoft ArchiCAD, combined with Estimator and Constructor software. Instead of describing a virtual building, they present this approach as virtual construction. Each element contains information about all required materials and manipulations, a recipe to construct the element, rather than visualize it. This is augmented with time planning facilities. They are planning to provide students with a free version of their software "soon". More information on http://www.vicosoftware.com/0/0/Downloads/tabid/54148/Default.aspx . The software suite is only available on Windows and includes ArchiCAD.

According to an article from Digit Magazine Adobe will provide students free access to the Flex tools for building Rich Internet Applications, using Flex Builder 2 .

At http://www.cbmodelpro.com you can download a free beta version of CB Model Pro, the "Pro" version of Cosmic Blobs, a cheap freeform modeling application from Dassault Systèmes, who are the developer of high-end design software applications, such as CATIA and SolidWorks. Fully functional for fifteen days, after which registration is required (free). Works on PC and Mac. No sign of Linux support.