Key benefits:
- Best Parametric Modeling Software
- Free Parametric Modeling Software
- 3d Parametric Software
- Parametric Cad Software Freeware
- Free 3d Parametric Cad Software
- Create and modify design data in real time
- Edit work with direct cut-and paste, push-and-pull, and drag-and-drop techniques
- Explore concepts and variations using a direct 3D CAD approach
SOLVESPACE- parametric 2d/3d CAD. Download Reference. SolveSpace is free software, distributed under the GPLv3. Source code for.
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- FreeCAD is a general purpose feature-based, parametric 3D modeler for CAD, MCAD, CAx, CAE and PLM, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits a wider range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties.
- Parametric design configuration included in free CAD software Configure and generate designs parametrically without programming expertise with MEDUSA4 Personal The components that make up an assembly often vary from order to order.
- Windows 32-bit (206MB)
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- Windows 64-bit (240MB)
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*By clicking 'Download Now,' you agree to these terms. A PTC.com account is required for product activation.
Capabilities
Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Express is perfect for engineers who need a fast, lightweight, and flexible direct 3D CAD system. With this free 3D CAD download, you have the freedom to innovate along with the flexibility to import and repurpose design data. Plus, you have an easy upgrade path to our professional version of Creo Element/Direct Modeling when your 3D design challenges grow.
Key benefits:
- Combine the simplicity of 2D with the benefits of 3D with this lightweight, easy-to-learn software. Moving from 2D to 3D has never been easier.
- Respond to unexpected or changing requirements more frequently and much later in the development process.
- Import and completely edit 2D and 3D design data with numerous powerful capabilities.
- Create and modify design data in real time. Drive design changes through direct push-and-pull paradigms. Advanced geometry intelligence automatically recognizes features in the context of the 3D operation—even on geometry that's imported from other 3D CAD systems.
- Design using either a top-down or bottom-up approach or drag-and-drop your parts and assemblies just as you do with files and folders. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling Express features a single environment for designing within the context of the whole product assembly. Users don't just build parts or assemblies; they build real products.
More details:
Installation and system requirements
A PTC.com account is required for product activation. Register now for an account if you are new to PTC.com. Click here if you have an account but have forgotten your password.
To install:
- Download the software
- Follow the InstallShield wizard instruction
- In the Activation window, enter your PTC.com account email address and password
System requirements:
- Operating System:
- Windows 10 64-bit Editions: Windows 10, Pro and Enterprise
- Windows 8.1 64-bit Editions: Windows 8.1, Pro and Enterprise
- Ram: ≥ 4 GB
- Disk Space: ≥ 2 GB
- Internet: Active Internet connection required to run software every 72 hours
Free vs. full version comparison
Companies needing more 3D design power can easily upgrade to the full, professional version of Creo Elements/Direct Modeling at any time. In the Professional Edition, you'll find a complete set of modules delivering key capabilities—such as sheet metal, rendering, and data management—which will enable you to design anything from simple products to larger, highly complex ones.
Creo Elements/Direct Modeling full version provides these additional capabilities:
- Create assemblies with an unlimited number of unique parts
- Extend data exchange
- Real-time rendering
- Add-on modules
- No internet required
Posted By Lucie Gaget on Mar 7, 2018 |
3D modeling software can be really useful for many different applications, especially when you need to use 3D printing. If you are looking for a method to design technical products, you will certainly have to use a parametric modeling software. In this blogpost we are going to see what is parametric modeling and what are the specificities of this process. Then, we will see what are the best parametric modeling software available on the market to create your projects.
What is parametric modeling?
The specificities of parametric solutions
Parametric modeling can also be called parametric solid modeling. It is used to define a dimension's ability to change the shape of model's geometry immediately when the dimension value is modified. This modeling process is great for projects with a lot of manufacturing requirement and that need a high accuracy such as mechanical projects. This modeling process is built from mathematical equations. Video sound mixer software, free download.
It is a practical process if you need to produce products with little variations. Indeed, it is good to create designs that need to be modified on a regular basis. It will totally be adapted to your design intent.
All the models created with this process have what we call features. These are attributes that include length, width, depth, orientation, geometry, material, density functions, etc. Parametric modeling is actually focusing on relationships between features, and between parts, assemblies and drawings.
Why you should use a parametric modeling software
These 3D programs are really great to see how the model directly changes when something is modified, and you can easily reuse the data of a 3D model to create a new design. Parametric modeling software is a really good tool for manufacturing. Indeed, it can reduce your production time as it can easily be integrated inside of your manufacturing process.
Be careful, you will have to be a little bit experienced if you want to use a parametric software. If you need some help, we have a blog post that will help you to deal with design guidelines while working with a parametric modeling software.
This tool can be useful for many different industries, but parametric modeling is especially used in mechanical engineering. It is great to have parametric software if you have an automotive project for example. It is also used for architecture projects, aircraft design, or even machinery. These CAD programs might be perfect for your rapid prototyping process.
Parametric vs direct modeling: How to choose?
Parametric and direct modeling are two different modeling techniques. Direct modeling doesn't create model features such as parametric solutions. Indeed, direct modeling is more used to make geometries, you can't work on the relationships between features, you can only modify the selected surface of your model. Direct modeling allows to manipulate your design more quickly, so it can be convenient at the beginning of the conception of a project. For more accuracy, technical specificities and better visualization of the project, parametric modeling software is a better solution.
Some direct modeling software are also really useful for your geometric models, thanks to their various powerful tools, such as Blender.
It depends on what you need and your level of expertise, but you could also use both direct and parametric program for your project.
What are the best parametric modeling software?
Here is a selection of the best free CAD software and paid ones to create your 3D models using parametric modeling. Most of the time these software tools are not really addressed to home users, but more to professional 3D modeling designers or programmers. Let's see what are the 3D CAD tools that you could use for your project.
Solidworks
Solidworks is certainly one of the best software to work on mechanical parts. This parametric software is a professional tool, great for engineers and 3D designers. This modeling tool will help you to create efficient models, work on mechanical projects and advanced product designs.
If you are planning to use additive manufacturing, don't forget to check our tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with Solidworks.
CATIA
CATIA is a software developed by Dassault Systèmes. It is not an easy software to use if you are not really experienced with 3D modeling. This CAD tool will allow you to work on parametric models and will be perfect for complex designs and projects. This program is addressed to professionals as it is a really complete software, with a wide range of advanced tools.
If you are interested in using this parametric CAD software, you can check our CATIA tutorial series.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a free parametric software. It is an open-source 3D program, with an intuitive interface, it can really suit beginners. This feature-based software can also be used by professionals for architecture or mechanical engineering projects for example.
We have a tutorial to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing with FreeCAD.
Best Parametric Modeling Software
credit: https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/About_FreeCAD
Creo Parametric
If you need to work on industrial designs, you can use Creo Parametric. This is a software developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation) allowing you to create complex 3D models and work on 2D or 3D complex surfaces, designs or even model assembly. It will provide you a lot of efficient tools, adapted to a manufacturing environment. Industries such as the automotive industry are using this CAD software.
Best Parametric Modeling Software
credit: https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/About_FreeCAD
Creo Parametric
If you need to work on industrial designs, you can use Creo Parametric. This is a software developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation) allowing you to create complex 3D models and work on 2D or 3D complex surfaces, designs or even model assembly. It will provide you a lot of efficient tools, adapted to a manufacturing environment. Industries such as the automotive industry are using this CAD software.
credit: https://www.ptc.com/en/products/cad/creo/parametric
Siemens NX
Siemens NX, formerly known as Unigrahics, is a software that will allow you to work on parametric and nonparametric models, and is able to provide your great engineering analysis. Siemens NX will be perfect for you to work on your product designs. It is made to create complex models that will be manufactured.
Free Parametric Modeling Software
If you want to know all the basics about this modeling software, watch the video below:
Rhino with Grasshopper
If you are a 3D designer, you may know this one. Rhino is a professional and really complete 3D CAD software used in many different industries, if you have no previous experience with 3D modeling it will be difficult for you to use this solution. This 3D program allows you to work on parametric or nonparametric modeling for your engineering projects.
If you need parametric tools, you will need to add the plugin Grasshopper. It is a visual programming language. It will allow you to work on advanced parametric modeling for structural engineering
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is developed by AutoDesk, it is not a fully parametric modeling software. It is quite a polyvalent CAD program, as you can use it to make both direct modeling or parametric modeling. It has some good simulation and modeling tools that will surely help you to improve all your 3D parts.
We have a tutorial available on our website to help you with Fusion 360, check it out!
Inventor
3d Parametric Software
Inventor is a software developed by Autodesk. This 3D program is well used in mechanical engineering, and as most of the efficient software used for technical projects, it is offering a parametric solution. Inventor offers great parametric possibilities that will help you make good 3D models and especially great mechanical designs.
If you are interested in using Inventor, check out our tutorial.
We hope that this blogpost helped you and that you found the perfect parametric modeling software for your projects. If you want to get more information about the best 3D CAD software to use regarding the specificities of your industry, check out our previous blog posts about 3D software for the medical or automotive industry, aircraft projects, or even architecture.
Do you already have a 3D file? You can directly upload your 3D model to our 3D printing service!
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