3D CAD on the cheap...

[alanganes]

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be interested:

Anyone looking to get some 3D modeling software on the cheap (relatively speaking) ALIBRE Design is doing a special offer thing, $99.00 for their design standard version. No limits, non-crippled version with full permanent license. No upgrades or support, but what do you want for 100 bucks.

All the standard disclaimers apply: No connection, nothing in it for me, not even a customer beyond trying the demo version a while back, do not point towards the sun, etc....

[RTPBurnsville]

Another cheapo I discovered over the weekend is called VIA PunchCAD 3D. The local office supply was selling it for about $80.00. Not a clue if it actually works but the wording on the box looked impressive.

[Dave S.]

I have alibre v11 and love it. I am a beta tester for V12 and it looks like I'll be spending more money for it. You can do some great things with 3D cad that are hard to do with 2D. Building assemblies and checking for interference being one.
If you have never touched CAD there is a steep learning curve but it is doable and support is good.

FYI I have about $800 in mine so $99 is a real bargain.

Dave

[AJA]

How do you get the $99.00 price for the Alibre software? Their website show $999.
AJ

[DR]

How do you get the $99.00 price for the Alibre software? Their website show $999.
AJ

I went to their site and it was on the first screen.

http://www.alibre.com/

I've been running the initial free version since it came out, plus several free updates. What I'm not sure of is this $99 version much of an improvement? Is it the current version 11?

My free version says "feature limited mode, 10.0"

and, "Version restriction 11.2"

So I'm not quite sure if I currently have version 10 or 11.


On edit:

Just got off the phone with Alibre sales. I ordered the $99 special. You don't get a CD, download only on up to three computers.

Since I have the limited free version already she said next time I open the program it will automatically install Alibre Standard edition. Cool!!!!

Okay, here's the weird part. Apparently I was already on the current version 11.2, but some of us on the free versions (me) had full features. This was glitch on their part and they tried to go through their files recently to disable the non-free features we weren't supposed to have.

[AJA]

I Found the site for the $99.00 deal and purchased the software. Thanks for the headsup.
AJ

[Circlip]

Just been bounced from a UK site of "Special " offer from Alibre of £99, looks like America is trying to get itself out of recession by changing to a one to one dollar rate.

Regards Ian

[alanganes]

Just been bounced from a UK site of "Special " offer from Alibre of £99, looks like America is trying to get itself out of recession by changing to a one to one dollar rate.

Regards Ian

Yeah, I did notice after I posted that it says something to the effect that the 99 dollar price is US customers only, international sales still at a "substantial discount".

Sorry for not pointing that out.

I had spoken to one of their sales reps a few months back, it was selling for around 500 bucks at the time. I tried to get it for less then, but he could not give me any better deal. When I called back to order this, he said "Oh, it looks like we spoke a while back. Seems waiting me out paid off for you..."

Lots of functionality for 99 bucks, I think.

[John Stevenson]

Just been bounced from a UK site of "Special " offer from Alibre of £99, looks like America is trying to get itself out of recession by changing to a one to one dollar rate.

Regards Ian

I didn't even get a quote, just a link to contact a UK reseller.
I have one of the original free licenses upgraded to give a couple of more bits.

I have just spoken to a guy at Alibre who stated what the differences are between the free 5 part license and the standard copy.

Now trying to get the $99 deal.

I have a rented US postal address so now trying to see if I can get this accepted, let you know.

[John Stevenson]

Well that worked, Debit card charged for $99, download done and installed.

Registration went OK and now running Alibre Standard.

[nheng]

Wonder if they have any price protection. I've been running it for less than a month, got a good price but not THAT good.

If you run other packages like SolidEdge or SolidWorks, you will miss a few things until you re-adjust but you can definitely produce parts with it. It's worth the price of maintenance also because V12 is coming soon with many improvements.

It does not do surfaces but does have import abilities with Rhino. I have no experience with that part of it.

John S. Your thoughts on the CAM side of the package would be interesting but I think you need the highest level package to handle it. That package can be had for something like 50% off.

Den

[Bguns]

Well John

Is it worth upgrading from NapkinCAD ?

[Circlip]

Sent a reply to the sender querying the dollar rate who informed me it hadn't changed BUT as a "Special" deal I could buy the package for £70 PLUS VAT, ( tax to pay for Iraq, Afganistan, London Olympics Etc.) Now this gives me a bottom line of £80.50.

Working on Johns deal at TODAYS exchange rate (15th Aug. 2009), $99 = £59.70 Hmmm?

It's either UPS delivery charges or we're still paying back Lend/Lease.

Regards Ian.

[John Stevenson]

Can't understand it Ian,
I went on the site, signed up and got the software as a download.

Anyone can get the software anyway the download site isn't hidden.

It's when you come to run it for the first time it needs to go to Alibre's web site and check the database.

Try this
Go onto the site and fill the forms out in there it wants a user name fill that in say, Ian12345, at the end it takes you to a payment page and pay $99 by debit or credit card then it spits you out at the download page.

Download the software and when you run it it needs a user name, Ian12345, and a password which should be waiting in your email.

Enter that and it goes off to check and then opens the program.

Job done, you can have 5 licenses for work and laptop but if the machines can't get on the internet you have to contact them.

Ironically the password and link came from the UK reseller ?

Any problems email

Jonathan Pace
[email protected]
Channel Sales Manager
Alibre, Inc.
Powerful, Affordable 3D CAD/CAM

https://www.alibre.com

214-389-9068
877-525-4273 ext 268

This is the guy who helped me.

.

[aboard_epsilon]

i downloaded the pro version ..trial .

seamed OK .about a million times easier and ten times better than that sketch up crap .

ever since Ive price offer emails ..for weeks

first in the thousands

then in the just below thousand

then in the hundreds

and the latest at 99

lol

all the best.markj