----- Original Message ----- 
  
  
  Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 7:41 
  PM
  Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Design 
  Software
  
  Catia V5...  Solidworks... Autodesk 
  Inventor
   
  But, they all WILL bankrupt you.  Autocad 
  Inventor I believe is the cheapest.  There are some pretty good 2D Cad 
  programs you can get for free if you have no need for 3D.  A good 
  one I used was called "Draft IT".  If you simply need a good 2D drafting 
  program I wouldnt bother with Autocad, might as well get a free program.  
  For 3D, nothing beats Catia, that's why pretty much our entire modern fleet of 
  military ships and planes are built with it.  Alas, it's a $14,000 
  program.
   
  Biggest problem with design software is simply 
  the training involved.  To give you an idea:  certified Catia 
  drafters make starting salaries of $65,000+/year... just to draw 
  parts.
   
  The best "alternative" to the expensive 3D Cad 
  software is "Alibre".  It's actually free for the most part, but a fully 
  licensed version is still only like $300 I think.  It's a newer system 
  but the support is there simply because of the free "trial".  Also cool 
  because it's designed to be used online so you can collaborate with other 
  designers.
   
  Shawn
  
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    
    
    Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 10:01 
    AM
    Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Design 
    Software
    
    
    
    The time has come to graduate from MS Paint and Word as my primary design 
    software.
    Any suggestions? Try not to bankrupt me though! :)
    Thanks
    Joe
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