What software does everyone use for making design drawings? That's weak area for me so I'm looking for a free, easy to use drawing package so I can design parts and approximate the final look of my robots. I had Google SketchUp but had to do a clean install of Windows and before I get it again I wanted to see what others use.
Oh, and I guess it would help if I could output files compatible with 3D printers & CNC.
For 3D modeling I use Google
For 3D modeling I use Google sketchup, and for sheet metal work like brackets I use the tool from dMachineShop as described here https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/16983
I use SketchUp for robot
I also use SketchUp for robot parts prototyping to construct the entire thing before I start building to see how/where everything is going to fit. With a plug-in it will play with .stl’s (3d printer compatible) or .dxf’s (cnc end mill compatible). I’ve also recently discovered a plug-in to send your EagleCAD PCB files to SketchUp as well, so there’s that too.
SketchUp to STL or DXF exporter plug-in:
http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl
EagleUp plug-in to render Eagle PCB files
http://www.eagleup.wordpress.com
Trimble 3D warehouse Eagle Parts:
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?tags=eagleup&scoring=a
Bear in mind I’m using SketchUp 8 with these plug-ins and SketchUp 2013 has recently been released, so I cannot say how well they will work with the newer version.
EDIT:
I just looked up and found the new stl exporter plug-in made by the same people as linked above but compatible with both SketchUp 8 and SketchUp 2013.
2D 2.5D CNC…
Inkscape. There is no better. Period. Inkscape, Inkscape, Inkscape.
I do all my designs for both the laser cutter and the CNC via inkscape. Open source, free, just a pleasure to work with. I won’t use anything else, ever. BTW, I use CamBam as my cam software (I paid for it, more than worth it).
As for 3d printing, I gotta go with the guys on plain old SketchUp.
