Hi all,
>
> I'm looking to get into CAD as it seems the way to go these days. I
> just wondered which particular package(s) to look at. I'm primarily
> interested in the desinging and building of small,
> electrically-propelled, remote-controlled vehicles, so in addition to
> the usual CAD requirements of 3-D object manipulation, the s/ware
> needs to be pretty well developed for the modelling of drive systems;
> shafts, belts, pullys, chains, sprockets, etc., and the correct
> tensioning of chains and belts under load, how they interact with each
> other in use and so forth. So which programs should I be considering
> and are any of them available in trial versions for checking-out > purposes?
>
> Thanks,
>
> p.
Solidworks has a free personal training version. It is basically equivalent to their commercial offering, but with limitations on filesharing, etc.
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95% of the functionality of Pro/E with 25% of the learning curve.