Google SketchUp: Free CAD Software for Basic Engineering Modeling

[Aero51]

I just downloaded this software since it is free and can supposedly be used for CAD. Does anyone have experience with this program for basic engineering modeling? Would it be good to have on a resume? I know how to do 3D modeling in AutoCAD to some extend, but it costs a lot of money to obtain a license, and the free ones last only a year.

 

[timthereaper]

In my experience, there are really only five 3D modeling packages that are worth really knowing: Siemens' NX, Dassault Systemes' CATIA and Solidworks, PTC's Creo (formerly PRO/ENGINEER), and to a lesser extent Autodesk's Inventor. The first four are basically industry-grade packages, so you'll run into them a lot. I've seen AutoCAD's 3D modeling a few times, but for drafting I've seen it a lot. It's still the best 2D drafting package out there. CAD licenses cost a lot for sure, but if you're a student, Autodesk gives student copies of Inventor away for free.

I don't think Google SketchUp is something I'd put on a resume. I've tried it and it's not really meant for CAD per se. Like all Google products, it's a product they developed for a while, released it as a beta, then let everyone make up their minds about how they were going to use it. I don't think it will ever be a real industry product (although Trimble thought it was good enough to acquire), so I don't think any potential employers will lend any weight to you being able to use it.

 

[MrTheBard]

It won't hurt to put it on a resume. It's not really the tool that matters, but how you use it. I certainly second the response before mine, it might not be enough to woo a potential employer, but if you feel that you have created some good stuff in Sketchup and can provide examples in a portfolio, if asked, go for it.

If you know AutoCad and other industry standards that's the kind of stuff that employers will go for.

 

[rollingstein]

In my experience, there are really only five 3D modeling packages that are worth really knowing: Siemens' NX, Dassault Systemes' CATIA and Solidworks, PTC's Creo (formerly PRO/ENGINEER), and to a lesser extent Autodesk's Inventor.

Not SolidEdge? The synchronous stuff seems useful and novel.

 

[timthereaper]

Yeah, I forgot about Solid Edge. Personally, I've never seen it used outside of fairly small companies, but it's good to have on a resume. I do think the Synchronous Modeling option is really useful. NX has it integrated into its package.