[Shop-talk] Advice regarding free (public domain) or affordable CAD software

[Donald H Locker]

I like QCad _a_lot_ <http://www.ribbonsoft.com>; great for 2d, but no analysis. 
  But it runs on Solaris, Linux, and Windoze.

Siemens SolidEdge looks like a strong contender. 
<http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/index.shtml> 
  A free version is available to see if it would suit your needs.  I don't know 
what the full boat costs.

I haven't used any real stress analysis programs, so I can't comment.

HTH,
Donald.

Ron & Mary Trimmer wrote:
> I want to re-start building my V-8 powered dune buggy as a way to try to
> refine and test a suspension idea.
> 
> I am looking for public domain or affordable CAD software that will run on a
> PC.  I have XP.
> 
> It would be desirable to have the capability for it to do stress tests.
> 
> I would appreciate any suggestion the group could provide.
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Ron Trimmer, trimmer at charter.net