Quote Originally Posted by Musht View Post
in the end sprung for Viacad 2D/3D, as reccomended here, it has the push/pull tool and decent DXF export.
I looked at Viacad this morning and critical dimensions look like an afterthought bolted on to an arty concept.

I use Alibre because they had a special offer, $999 software for $99. It can drive me bonkers when I get it wrong but the concept is good. I don't think it is worth $999 so I cannot recommend it.

You rough draw 2D outlines that define the shape. You can create as many planes to draw 2D pictures on as you like.

You add constraints to your 2D drawings and then add dimension arrows. As you dimension you pull the rough drawing in to an exact shape.

Then you extrude, loft, cut etc 2D drawings in to a 3D shape.

Every 2D drawing, plane, extrusion etc. adds another entry to the list on screen left. At anytime you can right button any entry on that list and select edit. Change any item and you change everything below it on the list that references back to it. If your constraints make the change impossible it stops at the awkward item so you can figure out how you are blocking it.

If a program doesn't have that list of drawings and commands that go into building your final shape, you have to wonder if it remembers the shape of where you are now rather than how to build it. Once you lose the information on how to build it, you lose the references that tie it together. I count that as the difference between CAD and making pretties.