Aghhh! It’s THE BORG! Quicker than we can say “transhumanists probabilistically misinterpret exponential systematic accentuation of fragility via anthropocentric arrogance” a cube of electronic parts are thrusting themselves in your direction from a marketing department trying to assimilate your computer. Is it resistance or resistors that are futile? Panic over. This freeware may indeed be a worthwhile exercise in wrist Repetitive Strain Injury.
DesignSpark Mechanical offers free professional 3D design software. The worth of freeware is becoming increasingly recognised in the computer-aided design arena, as evidenced in part by the purchase of user favourite freeware TinkerCad by software behemoth Autodesk this year.
DesignSpark offers the following potential benefits for users as good reasons to have a tinker with their CAD:
- Produce highly detailed dimensioned worksheets
- Remove bottlenecks by making amendments and additions to your design in seconds, rather than waiting for the CAD department to rework in history-based CAD tools
- Combine your creation with off-the-shelf components from RS Components and the Allied Electronics 3D library
- Create geometry easily with powerful and intuitive gesture-based modelling, no need to be a CAD expert
- And best of all, it’s completely free! This is not a cut down version of an expensive product or software with a time-limited license.
The said assimilated platform is Microsoft® Windows XP Service Pack 3 to Windows 8 with the exception of virtual platforms. Your CPU will have to be a Pentium® 4 2.0 GHZ or Athlon® 2000+ or faster, with a minimum of 512MB RAM (32-bit) 1Gb RAM (64-bit), a 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 2GB RAM or higher Video Card.
If you are confined to an Apple desktop or laptop, you can still run the program if your Apple is Intel-based, running native Windows using Boot Camp is subject to the same hardware requirements as other Intel-based hardware and will require special licensing.
If you wish to join The Collective (I am going to give up on the Star Trek analogies in articles eventually, but for now, heck, why not… it is the most popular long running TV series – whilst most believe popularity audience share resides with the long runs of Pamela Anderson down a beech, fortunately, some humans have evolved beyond ogling plastic floating in water. I mean the buoy …. Obviously!) Links to DesignSpark Mechanical are provided here for your convenience…
…and some 3D printing / maker-angled tutorials as follows…
First steps with Direct Modelling with DesignSpark Mechanical:
This tutorial is in progressive sections and will guide you through the use of the main model creation commands in DesignSpark Mechanical.
Importing Electronic designs (PCBs) into DesignSpark Mechanical:
This tutorial explains how to import electronic designs (PCBs) to DesignSpark Mechanical software
Exporting dimensions to electronics design software from DesignSpark Mechanical: This tutorial explains how to export PCB dimensions from DesignSpark Mechanical.
Inserting 3D Models into Electronic Designs within DesignSpark Mechanical: This tutorial explains some of the key points for successful insertion of 3D models into imported electronic designs.
Inserting 3D Models into a Panel Design within DesignSpark Mechanical: This tutorial explains the key points for successful insertion of 3D models into an electrical panel design within DesignSpark Mechanical.
