| DesignSpark Mechanical | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Sample design loaded in DesignSpark Mechanical v6.0. | |
| Developers | Ansys, Inc.,RS Group plc |
| Initial release | September 16, 2013; 12 years ago (2013-09-16) |
| Stable release | 6.0.3 / October 4, 2023; 2 years ago (2023-10-04) |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Platform | x86-64desktop,laptop |
| Available in | 25 languages[1] |
List of languages English, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional) | |
| Type | MCAD software |
| License | Proprietaryfreeware andsubscriptions |
| Website | www |
DesignSpark Mechanical is a3Dcomputer-aided design (CAD)solid modelingsoftware application. It is licensed asproprietaryfreeware.
It enables users to solid model in a 3D environment and create files to use with 3D printers. Using the direct modeling approach, it allows for unlimited and frequent design changes using an intuitive set of tools. This free 3D CAD software is offered as a payment freedownload, but requires a one-time registration withDesignSpark.com to receive the latest community news and product promotions.
To createengineering drawings in the same framework, a paidsubscription to the DesignSparkCreator orEngineer plan is needed.[2]
DesignSpark Mechanical is based on theSpaceClaim Engineer application and is the product of a collaboration betweenRS Group plc andAnsys, Inc. An introductory brochure isavailable here. The goal to offer a free 3D CAD software with many features of high-end software is to engage with those such asengineering education students or small businesses who may not need or cannot afford premium branded 3D CAD software.
DesignSpark Mechanical supportsrapid prototyping throughSpaceClaim's 3D direct modeling methodology using thePull, Move, Fill and Combine tools that allow interacting with digital 3D objects like modeling with clay, all available in the free 3D CAD version.
3D models for more than 75,000 products from theRS catalog are available for download within the software.[3]
Paid subscription plans provide added functions for DesignSpark Mechanical, such as Mirror tool, full support of popular file formats such asSTEP,STL,IGES,DXF, andDWG, and an associative drawing environment, adding many functions such as cosmeticthreading,geometric dimensioning and tolerancing,annotations, and more.[2]
