@ Daniel, I think that depends on what he wants to do and upon the person.

If using other applications that are not CAD oreintated he can always export them to a DWG/DXF formats for importing to Autocad.

I would reccommend using CAD at a later date, but it would be better to grasp the basics of something like blender. Trials can be downloaded of the others so that he can test them out.

@ Starter, you can find CAD programs here:

__________________AUTODESK__________________
http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=452932&id=9549668http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servl...932&id=9549668

Useful ones to pay more attention to are
AutoCAD [Trial version available][Handles DWG/DXF]
Autodesk 3ds Max [Handles DWG/DXF]
Autodesk Design Review [Exellent tool for viewing models]
Autodesk DWF Toolkit
Autodesk DWF Viewer
Autodesk DWF Writer

Autodesk Freewheel will let you show ther people on the net what you are designing, its like a hosting service for 3d models. (DWF only)

__________________SOLIDWORKS__________________

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/freesoftware.htmlhttp://www.solidworks.com/pages/prod...esoftware.html

DWG Gateway might proove useful for exporting to AutoCAD.

It doesnt seem that there is a trial for Solidworks, and I know nothing about it, nor will I pretend to. I use 3DS Max and have used AutoCAD.
_____________________________________

Try the above, the two programs have exellent intercompatibility.

Its your choice, the CADs are useful for machining your parts with becuase they can read the formats. Media based software such as MAX and Blender allow you to learn to draught ideas easily and simulate physics and you should be able to export/import AutoCAD file types into both packages (May require some additional plugins, they usually float around for free) (long time since I used Blender.

Have a go at both kinds to see what you like best.



NURBS isnt junk either, NURBS is used in CAD today as an actual basis for many products. NURBS frames and usages are more related to Solid working than vertex modelling is, but your the proffessional so whatever. Its anything but junk, but whatever your opinion is....

(Message edited by david b on May 29, 200