New to virtual modeling

[Avery Boyer]

I am interested in taking up virtual ship modeling. I have limited experience, mostly doing architecural models, and the only program I have used is Google SketchUp. I want a prgram, either cheap or free that will allow me to create the basic hull shapes. Nothing fancy, just the basic ship, no detail etc. The Google SketchUp might be able to do it, but I haven't figured out how. Just a simple easy to use, free tool. TIA.

[Ron Smith]

I am interested in taking up virtual ship modeling. I have limited experience, mostly doing architecural models, and the only program I have used is Google SketchUp. I want a prgram, either cheap or free that will allow me to create the basic hull shapes. Nothing fancy, just the basic ship, no detail etc. The Google SketchUp might be able to do it, but I haven't figured out how. Just a simple easy to use, free tool. TIA.

Free and hull shape isn't going to work well. You might be able to get one of the later Turbocad versions to work well enough for the curves though. Plan on $100-200 for a decent program....that's cheap for CAD. Rhino's worth playing with but you only get 25 saves for the free version.

For higher level CAD just so you know how cheap Turbocad is:
$700-850 for Autocad LT,
$895 for Rhino
$2500-350 full Autocad