Does anyone know of any middle school age appropriate CAD software (inexpensive, reasonable or better yet - free)? The program would be used with 8th graders in a middle school graphics elective course. The teacher would like to use it to have students do some basic residential home floor plans as part of their graphics learning experience.
Google SketchUp 6 is a 3D modeling software tool that’s easy to learn, simple to use, and lets you place your models in Google Earth. Are you remodeling a kitchen, landscaping your back yard or adding a deck to your home? Google SketchUp makes it faster, easier and a lot more fun. From simple to complex, from conceptual to realistic, Google SketchUp helps you see your vision before you build it.
Once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse.
http://www.ldraw.org/ LDraw™ is an open standard for LEGO CAD programs that allow the user to create virtual LEGO models and scenes. You can use it to document models you have physically built, create building instructions just like LEGO, render 3D photo realistic images of your virtual models and even make animations. The possibilities are endless. Unlike real LEGO bricks where you are limited by the number of parts and colors, in LDraw nothing is impossible. You can download
Step 1 Download the following file: ldraw_setup_2006q3_full_J.exe
NOTE: The file is protected by a Captcha image. Please type in the letters you see in the picture.
http://www.cadstd.com/ C.A.D studio CadStd is a general purpose, easy to learn CAD/drafting program for creating professional quality mechanical designs, house plans, blueprints, schematics and charts utilizing ANSI drawing standards. Free download here http://www.cadstd.com/lite.html