Free Alternative to Sketchup?
#7
I've been using Sketchup Make (2017), but it keeps crashing on me.  Are most people using Sketchup Pro -- $119 per year for a subscription?  Or is there a good free alternative?

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#8
(09-14-2024, 10:11 AM)David Stone Wrote: I've been using Sketchup Make (2017), but it keeps crashing on me.  Are most people using Sketchup Pro -- $119 per year for a subscription?  Or is there a good free alternative?

It crashes on me now and then, too, for no obvious reason.  But I like SketchUp, and I like 2017 because it's not web based, so I just save my work often to avoid a big loss.  It actually doesn't crash all that often, so it's not a huge concern for me.  If it was crashing every week, I'd look to download a fresh copy.  If you haven't tried that yet, that may be something to look into.  

John
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#9
(09-14-2024, 10:11 AM)David Stone Wrote: I've been using Sketchup Make (2017), but it keeps crashing on me.  Are most people using Sketchup Pro -- $119 per year for a subscription?  Or is there a good free alternative?

Something else you may want to consider, is see if your computer meets the specs to run it well.

I don’t know much about sketchup, but I have had similar problems with fusion360 because the computer was having trouble with rendering images.
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#10
(09-14-2024, 10:11 AM)David Stone Wrote: I've been using Sketchup Make (2017), but it keeps crashing on me.  Are most people using Sketchup Pro -- $119 per year for a subscription?  Or is there a good free alternative?

As John noted, downloads are available.  You likely have some corrupted files causing the program to have a brain fart.  Here's a CNET link to the download.  Worth a try.  

Edit:  note the text below the download, apparently there was a fix for crashing before they discontinued support in 2022.

https://download.cnet.com/sketchup-make-...57337.html
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#11
(09-14-2024, 10:11 AM)David Stone Wrote: I've been using Sketchup Make (2017), but it keeps crashing on me.  Are most people using Sketchup Pro -- $119 per year for a subscription?  Or is there a good free alternative?

Sketchup is free on the web, go to https://www.sketchup.com/en/products/sketchup-for-web

Click where it says "Start Modeling," you can do anything with the free online version that you can do with the old download version.  I have been using it quite a bit lately for a gazebo project I'm building in the back yard.  I once used it to build a range hood and it was invaluable for figuring out the angles in the project.  Have fun!
"Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped." Andy Weir (in his book The Martian)
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#12
I've been using FreeCAD for a while now, it has several different workbenches depending on what one wants to do.
One of those workbenches is for woodworking. It has a bit of a learning curve, but it s a full featured 3d modelling program.
I also use it for stuff to send to my 3d printer. There is not a app for apple products but it does support windoze and linux.
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