Directory of Engineering, FEA and CAD Freeware & Shareware

Finite Element Analysis Freeware & Shareware

Civil Engineering Freeware & Shareware

Mechanical Engineering Freeware & Shareware

Electrical Engineering Freeware & Shareware

CAD Freeware & Shareware

Finite Element Analysis Freeware & Shareware

FElt- FElt is an open source system for finite element analysis; The current version of FElt knows how to solve linear static and dynamic structural and thermal analysis problems; it can also do modal and spectral analysis for dynamic problems. FElt's element library currently contains fourteen elements. The expandability allows you to do things for your own purposes if you think you'd like to hack on FElt .

LISA - is a professional finite element analysis program courtesy of Joachim Pommerening. The downloadable version is limited to a generous 1300 nodes, and has very powerful Modelling Tools. It can be used to analyze Linear Static Stresses, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors in dynamic analysis.

Structural Analysis FEM Software - totally free java program that can be run directly from the Internet. The main purpose of the software is to explain basic concepts and demonstrate the capabilities of Finite Element Method.

JL Analyzer -The free download copy is a trial version of JL Analyzer, it allows you to perform all the JL Analyzer FEA functions for any geometry with a 300 nodes mesh limit. You will get the privilege to try out the easy and friendly users interface to solve any structural problem and examine the results with multiple viewing options.

CADRE Lite -Finite element structural analysis and dynamic analysis. Evaluation version is limited to 1500 nodes or elements and does not implement the tension-only and compression-only elements. In addition, only a few samples of the extensive section property data base are provided with the evaluation version.

QuickField -Get started by using the QuickField Students' version. It is not a demo, but a full-featured program with a limited size finite-element mesh. All other features, including user interface, file formats and analysis types are the same as the Professional version.

FEMM -A demo version of FEMM 4.0 is available for download. The demo version contains a number of solved examples of typical FEMM problems and is intended to give the user an impression of the look-and-feel of using FEMM. New problems can be solved with the demo version, but the demo version has a 1000-node limit on problem size.

FesaWin -FesaWin is a Finite Element Analysis program used for the design of various structures.Download demo version.

Ram Series -Ram Series is a three-dimensional structural analysis environment for calculations of solids, beams and shells using the Finite Element Method. Ram Series includes completely integrated pre/post-processing modules allowing you to define the geometry and all other data necessary for the analysis, as well as visualization of the results. Ram Series includes a big collection of three-dimensional model types, their burdens and bonds that are powerful tools with a variety of applications. Moreover, Ram Series can be adapted to specific needs allowing you to automate and simplify the analysis process. The demo version limites for calculations of small models only.

UNA -UNA is a finite element program for static and dynamic structural analysis. UNA software is used for analysis of metal, non-metal and multilayered composite structures. Free download for evaluation and educational purposes.

CalculiX -A free 3-D structural finite element program. CalculiX is a package designed to solve field problems. The solver is able to do linear and non-linear calculations. Static, dynamic and thermal solutions are available.

MYSTRAN -MYSTRAN is a general purpose finite element analysis computer program for structures that can be modeled as linear. There is no inherent limitation to problem size, or number of degrees of freedom, for the version of MYSTRAN distributed as Unlimited Size. Free download.

Impact - Impact is an open source finite element program which can be used to predict most dynamic events such as car crashes or metal sheet punch operations. They usually involve large deformations and high velocities. Development is made by a team of volunteers from all over the world with the aim of creating a clean and compact program which is simple to understand and use. Impact is written in Java which means it can be run on most hardware and operating systems.

VisualFEA - VisualFEA is an innovative program for finite element analysis, which is an advanced technique to solve and analyze physical problems arising in many fields of science and engineering. Trial version limits 500 nodes.

Analysis for Windows - Very powerful Finite Element Analysis package for 2D and 3D constructions (frames and trusses). Small and easy to use, with special focus on the user friendly Windows interface to make your life easy. All members are tested versus allowable stress and buckling. Large library of commonly used sections included. Free download.

Civil Engineering Freeware & Shareware

Triax-2000- is an easy to use analysis program that will calculate the load-deformation relationship for a uniform block of reinforced concrete in three dimensions. It may be subjected to any combination of the general 6 stresses that can be applied to an arbitrary 3D block. The program implements the Modified Compression Field Theory to arrive at solutions. The program was developed at the University of Toronto as part of the PhD thesis of Evan Bentz in a project supervised by Professor Michael P. Collins. Software and manual are free for download.

Response-2000 - Response-2000 is an easy to use sectional analysis program that will calculate the strength and ductility of a reinforced concrete cross-section subjected to shear, moment, and axial load. All three loads are considered simultaneously to find the full load-deformation response using the latest research based on the modified compression field theory. The program was developed at the University of Toronto by Evan Bentz in a project supervised by Professor Michael P. Collins. Response-2000 is able to calculate the strength of traditional beams and columns as well as or better than existing methods and, more importantly, is able to make predictions of shear strengths for sections that cannot easily be modelled today such as circular columnsand tapered web beams. With its fast input and output, windows based interface and ample graphical output, to allow for easy checking of results,Response-2000 allows the engineer to examine beam and column behaviour with a new level of confidence and accuracy. Software and manual are free for download.

Membrane-2000 - Membrane-2000 is an easy to use analysis program that will calculate the load-deformation relationship for a uniform panel of reinforced concrete subjected to in-plane shear loading. The program implements the Modified Compression Field Theory as well as the Rotating Angle-Softened Truss Model and the Fixed Angle-Softened Truss Models. The program was developed at the University of Toronto as part of the thesis of Evan Bentz in a project supervised by Professor Michael P. Collins. Software and manual are free for download.

Shell-2000 - Shell-2000 is an easy to use analysis program that will calculate the load-deformation relationship for a general plate or shell subjected to any combination of the 8 loads that are possible for such an element. Shell-2000 is the first program to properly account for the out-of-plane shear distribution in a rigorous way. The program implements the Modified Compression Field Theory to arrive at solutions. The program was developed at the University of Toronto as part of the PhD thesis of Evan Bentz in a project supervised by Professor Michael P. Collins. Software and manual are free for download.

WSDOT Bridge Engineering Software - Free programs from the Washington State DOT.

Office of Earthquake Engineering Software - Free California Transportation Department software for bridge foundations, piles and concrete sections.

Aladdin -Aladdin is a computational toolkit for the interactive matrix and finite element analysis of large engineering structures, particularly building and highway bridge structures. Aladdin views finite element computations as a specialized form of matrix computations, matrices as rectangular arrays of physical quantities, and numbers as dimensionless physical quantities. This is a open-source software that users can add matrix functions and finite elements. Source code write in about 40,000 lines of C is free for download. Developed at the University of Maryland.

Pavement-Transportation Computer Assisted Structural Engineering - The PCASE project was established to develop and provide computer programs for use in the design and evaluation of transportation systems. PCASE programs include rigid and flexible airfield and road design by conventional and layered elastic methodologies, as well as a railroad planning program. When program updates or new releases are available, notification is made via the PCASE email users list. The latest versions of all PCASE programs are available to users 24 hours a day via this web site. Free software written by US Army Corps of Engineers.

Structural Engineering Programs - Free from Florida DOT.

Bridge Software Institute - University of Florida, bridge software.

IDARC -Developed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, IDARC was first introduced in 1987 for the purpose of analyzing earthquake damage in multistory, reinforced concrete buildings. Since then, numerous enhancements have been added, including the ability to analyze a wide variety of structures, structural materials, and, most recently, structural damping devices. New features are continuously being added to IDARC, while three dimensional and bridge specific versions are currently being developed. The program is distributed free, with corrections and minor updates, as part of a Membership in a Users Group. Non-members can also get a version of the program executable free without any support.

Section properties of a plate girder -This is a high quality Excel spreadsheet that derives the section properties of a steel plate girder, or beam.Free.

IBC2003 edition -The Zip file containing the spreadsheet calculation for Fire life Safety and Structural loading based on IBC 2000 and 2003 edition. Calculation for Snow load had been add to this revision. The spreadsheet is intended as an educational tool for the learning and understanding of the IBC 2000, IBC 2003 and ASCE7-02 edition. It will perform both Fire Life Safety (chapter 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 ,29) and Structural (Snow, wind, earthquake Load, Chapter 16) . Requires Microsoft Excel 2000 or later. The application is freeware .

InertiaCalculator -InertiaCalculator is a structural utility program for calculating geometric and structural properties of built-up, custom, or composite cross sections for anyone who needs to calculate geometric or structural properties of plane areas. The purpose for InertiaCalculator is to help engineers determine properties of custom or combined sections for structural design. The tool has applications for architects, mechanical engineers, and others. It will calculate many properties including area, moment of inertia, section modulus, shear center location, principal axes and much more. No designer can afford to be without this powerful, easy-to-use, and ridiculously inexpensive tool.

Continuous Beam Influence Lines. -Excel spreadsheet calculates and graphs moment, shear and deflections influence lines in continuous beams.

Spreadsheets for Corbel Design and Wood Shear Wall with an Opening -Concrete Corbel & Wood Shear Wall with an Opening The spreadsheets make structural design simplified.

UBC Elements -UBC Elements is a windload evaluation program for Elements and Components in accordance with the Uniform Building Code. Evaluations for 1994 and 1997 Code Editions are included along with 1995 and 1998 California State Amendments.

Cbeam 2002 -Cbeam 2002 is a continuous beam software package that allows the user to solve statically indeterminate beam structures. Defining multiple span elements of varying elasticity's with uniform, distributed and concentrated loading applications along with a variety of support conditions is easily at the hands of the user.

Simple Beam -Simple Beam is a framing member evaluation program for vertical and horizontal glazing components.The evaluation provides property verification in the form of I required and S required for various applications and loading conditions of simple span elements. Both uniform and trapezoidal load distributions may be utilized within the member analysis. In addition to structural property requirements generated, end reactions and internal bending moments are also provided.

97 UBC Lateral Design Spreadsheet - This spreadsheet is intended as an educational tool for the learning and understanding of the Wood provisions of the 1997 Uniform Building Code. It will perform both flexible and rigid diaphragm analysis.

Data Extraction Tool for 97 UBC Lateral Design Spreadsheet - This is a data extraction tool for Autocad R14 and later. It can be used by users of the 97 UBC Design Spreadsheet posted above. It is simply two blocks that are to be inserted at each diaphragm coordinate along the edge AND another for insertion at the beginning and end of each wall segment designated as a shear wall or shear element. There are two template files to be used with the Autocad command ATTEXT which will extract the coordinates and save them Comma Delimited Format. The user only needs to open the extraction file in Excel. The data can be cut and pasted within the UBC spreadsheets on the Geometry-Wall worksheet for easy entry of the building coordinates.

Two-cycle Moment Distribution - R/C Beam - This Excel spreadsheet performs two-cycle moment distribution per the PCA publication of the same name. It designs positive and negative moment reinforcement, stirrups, checks deflection, accounts for column stiffness and performs crack control analysis.

StlShape - StlShape is a utility for structural engineers to use. It started with steel designs. Some concrete an wood-including glulam are added later on.

Eccentric bolt group connection by LRFD 2nd Edition - Excel spreadsheets calculates ultimate shear capacity of bolt group connection using instantaneous center method employed by LRFD steel design manual.

quickBridge - quickBridge is an Excel program which computes moment and shear envelopes generated by a moving truck. Trucks may have 2 to 20 axles and bridges 1 to 5 spans. Constant EI is used for all the spans. Results are displayed in tabular and graphical forms.

Excel spreadsheet to analyse freestanding signs - Benjamin Jones, author of Engineering Sign Structures, has made available his spreadsheets for analyzing and designing the basic support members and footings for freestanding signs.

Geotechnical Engineering Software - Free software from the Office of Bridge Technology, Federal Highway Administration, United States DOT.

DTColumn - this program quickly and easily calculates reinforced concrete column interaction diagrams. Free.

DTBeam - This is a very powerful, yet very easy to use, continuous beam analysis program. The Demonstration version of DTBeam will perform all of the analysis the full version is capable of. It will not allow you to save beam models to disk or to directly print results of an analysis. It can be downloaded and used for FREE. There is no time limit imposed on use of the demonstration version. A license/registration fee is required to obtain and use a fully functional version of DTBeam.

Plane Failure Analysis - calculates the factor of safety for plane failures in rock and soil slopes where defined discontinuity planes exist. Free from the Southern Illinois University.

Wedge Failure Analysis - includes a stereonet view of the planes the user inputs and a printable summary of the analysis. The user can input artifical support (rockbolts, cables, bolts) or calculate the required support by entering the desired factor of safety. Free from the Southern Illinois University.

IDARC-BRIDGE - A Program for Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Inelastic Analysis of Bridges. Allows many aspects of bridge behavior to be explicitly modeled. Developed at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The program is distributed free.

SteelS - is a utility containing shape information for W, S, M and HP sections. Basic mechanical and geometrical properties are shown and its based on ASTM A6 as it was current in 2000. Freeware from SteelPlus.

FRAMEWORK - 2D and 3D linear elastic frame analysis. Completely free, 32-bit windows software.

RING - Masonry arch bridge analysis software Developed at the University of Sheffield, UK. Free download.

FastFrame -FastFrame is a 32 bit Windows 95, 98 & NT Two-Dimensional frame analysis program. You can model any type of framed 2D structure by setting "joints" and specifying "members" that span between them. After loads and load cases are specified the displacements and forces are calculated by solving a bandwidth minimized stiffness matrix using an ultra-fast active column solver.

Fastrak Simple Beam by CSC -Analysis and design of simple steel beams and cantilevers to BS 5950:Part 1:1990. Free program.

BDES v5.0 - Free composite and non-composite simple steel beam design to BS 5950 from the SCI.

Structural Engineering Analysis Software -written by Herbert G. Whitman, PE. Many free programs here! English and SI units.

CONCEPT by Reinforced Concrete Council - Conceptual design program for RC framed buildings.

Atlas 1.20 - tFree beam analysis program.

GRAPE GBW16 -3D Beam/Truss Finite Element Program.

IMicroBEAM 4.10 - is the structural analysis and design tool for engineers. It originally works in DOS world and now in Windows 3.1/95/98. Free. Also available here is a pile group analysis program and a section properties analysis program, both free.

Skeleton -A free program for the analysis of plane frames. A DOS program which works in Windows 3.1 & 95 Environment.

CADRE Lite 2.1 - Cadre Lite is a 32 bit program for solving 3-D frame and beam type structures by the finite element method.

UniPhase 2.1 -A free, program to assist in selecting soil density and calculating phase system parameters such as void ratio, dry density, and degree of saturation.

Sphygmic Software Spreadsheet - Free Excel-compatible spreadsheet program with over 100 functions.

MathGV (32-bit) - is a powerful, free program for graphing mathematical functions.

SLFFEA - is a free finite element analysis program which can be used by students as a learning tool for FEM programming or by practicing engineers. This program allows for non-zero boundary conditions and has skyline storage of the stiffness matrix.

Moment Distribution - free beam analysis program for Windows 95 and above.

PfreeCAD - is an introductory 3D Computer Aided Design package with Motion Simulation capabilities. It allows you to create and manipulate collections of 3D parts. The parts are 3D solid models, which can be connected or assembled by joints or constraints. The parts and their connections define the structure or mechanism that the assembly represents. Freeware.

CONVERT - is an easy to use unit conversion program that will convert the most popular units of distance, temperature, volume, time, speed, mass, power, density, pressure, energy and many others, including the ability to create custom conversions.

Uconeer - This free units conversion program is designed specifically for engineers. It includes a wide range of technical categories required by engineers, but it excludes the archaic and esoteric units that clutter the menus of the other conversion programs. Freeware.

Rockgrout - a free suite of programs about cement grouting in rock foundations for dams and other heavy engineering structures by A Clive Houlsby, Grouting Engineer.

COMPACT - COMPACT is a suite of computer-aided learning programs covering 11 topics on concrete technology and the design of concrete structures to EC2, where appropriate. Produced primarily for undergraduate use, the interactive programs use high quality photographs and graphics to present teaching material in an easily absorbed and interesting manner. Several of the modules, particularly on reinforced concrete design, will also appeal to graduate engineers wishing to familiarise themselves with EC2. Free download.

Graphmatica - is a powerful, easy-to-use, equation plotter with numerical and calculus features. Graph Cartesian functions, relations, and inequalities, plus polar, parametric, and ordinary differential equations.

BeamBoy Beam Analysis Tool - BeamBoy is a utility for calculating engineering stress and deflection in structural beams and shafts. BeamBoy is freeware and is available for download.

Solution of 2-Dimensional Trusses and 3-Dimensional Trusses - Two QBasic programs. Tensile & compressive forces and reactions are output. The global stiffness matrix is displayed in these programs. Also a Wireframe Modelling program with source code. Free.

Truss Master Analysis Program - Single Form Interface - you are not blinded by GUI wizardry which can mask the actual engineering that is taking place. Input Generators - For member data & node lines. Deflection Animation - Real-time deflection of the truss enables a clearer visualization of structural behaviour. Pan & Zoom Functions - Get close to the areas of interest using familiar CAD commands.

Beamax - Beamax is an application for graphically creating, editing and analysing continuous beams. Fixed, hinged and roller supports and point and distributed loads are supported. Shear force, bending moment and displacement curve is displayed graphically. The program supports an Office OLE Automation interface. Free download.

Femax - Femax is a component system that provides functionality for structural analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The system defines interfaces for nodes, matrices, vectors, models and elements. The Component Object Model (COM) is used for object linking. All components support an Automation interface for integration using the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) environment.

CALSD - The CALSD program has been developed a decade ago at the University of California, San Diego to support teaching and learning of structural engineering concepts and techniques. Free download.

Rebar - Free reinforing bars calculator.

ELPLA Limit Edition -ELPLA (ELASTIC PLATE) is a program for analyzing slab foundations of arbitrary shape with the real subsoil model. The mathematical solution of the slab is based on the finite element method. The program can analyze different types of subsoil models, especially the three-dimensional continuum model that considers any number of irregular layers. A good advantage of this program is the capability to handle the three solutions of flexible, elastic and rigid foundations. In addition, the mesh of the rigid and flexible foundations can be constructed to be analogous to the finite elements mesh of the elastic foundation. Therefore, the three solutions can be compared easily and correctly. ELPLA can also be used to represent the effect of external loads, neighboring foundations, tunneling and the influence of temperature difference on the slab. Free download.

Frame -Free software for static and dynamic structural analysis of 2D and 3D frames and trusses with elastic and geometric stiffness. Computes the static deflections, reactions, internal element forces, natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal participation factors of two- and three- dimensional elastic structures using direct stiffness and mass assembly. Written in K&R C . Source code includes: frame analysis, LDL' decomposition, LU decomposition, Newton-Raphson iteration, sub-space iteration, Stodola iteration, Sturm eigen-value check, static condensation, Guyan reduction, and dynamic condensation. Graphical output and mode shape animation via Gnuplot. Developed at Duke University.

SpanCAD - SPanCAD is based on AutoCAD, the Strut-and-Tie method and the Stringer-Panel method. The program is a tool for design of reinforced concrete discontinuities, deep beams, walls loaded in plane and box-shaped structures in which membrane stresses are dominant for the performance. SPanCAD enables a structural designer to draw a simple model of a concrete structure or structural element, perform various analysis and interpret the performance graphically. It can compute deflections, force distributions, crack widths, ultimate loads and ductility taking into account yielding of reinforcement and cracking or crushing of concrete. In subsequent design cycles, modifications can be easily made to shape, dimensions and reinforcement. The program proposes dimensions and provides a procedure for quick convergence of the design process. SPanCAD is shareware. So you can download and use it freely.

Multiple Fastener Connections (WIN/UK/free) - Developed for the research project 'double shear timber connections with dowel type fasteners', by Dr.Ir. Andre Jorissen. With the MFJ program the reduction in the load carrying capacity for multiple fastener connections can be simulated for a variable number of fasteners, depending on the geometry and material properties. Freeware.

PURLIN SIZER - a downloadable Excel spreadsheet file which uses the information from the Cold Formed Lipped Channel spreadsheet to automatically size CFLC purlins.

Top1 NL design version 4.21 - Dutch modern design & engineering tool for timber structures. Optimizes a wide range of structure types, from simple beams and purlins, through boomerang beams and portals. In glulam, sawn timber or Kerto. German version available too. Free.

Excel spreadsheets for geotechnical engineering - from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

BigSolve - German beam/frame analysis program. You must understand German to download this program.

LinPro - Static analysis of plane frames.

Mechanical Engineering Freeware & Shareware

IOSO NS GT 2.0 - IOSO NS GT v.2.0 is the program package implementing IOSO Technology algorithms for a single-objective nonlinear optimization with a moderate number of design variables (up to 20). The program is intended for Windows 98, NT4.0, ME, 2000, XP operating systems.

Qualitek-4 - Qualitek-4 from Nutek, Inc. automatically designs experiments based on user-indicated factors and levels. The program selects the array and assigns the factors to the appropriate column. For more complex experiments, there is a manual design option. The program also performs the three basic steps in analysis: main effect, analysis-of-variance, and optimum studies. Analysis can be performed using standard or signal-to-noise ratios of results for smaller, bigger, nominal, or dynamic characteristics. Results can be displayed using pie charts, bar graphs, or trial-data-range graphs.

freeCAD - 'freeCAD' is a basic 3D CAD with advanced Motion Simulation capabilities. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning 3D CAD and Motion Simulation for free before using more sophisticated packages. Educators, students and new engineers will find it ideal for the teaching and learning of geometry, kinematics, dynamics, vibrations, mechanisms, linkages, cams, machine design and physics. The program runs on Windows, Linux PC, Macintosh PPC and other Unix's. Assembly data are unchanged across platforms. It is a FREEWARE which is sponsor supported.

WATT Mechanism Suite 2003 - contains both WATT Synthesis 1.6.3 and Roberts Animator 2.1.1. WATT Synthesis Demo is restricted to eight-bar synthesis and 30-days of use. Roberts Animator Demo is only restricted to 30-days of use.

Universal Mechanism 3.0 - Universal Mechanism is intended for simulation of kinematics and dynamics of planar and spatial mechanical systems. The program is oriented to practical engineers, students and teachers; in other words it is oriented to all people who are involved in problems of dynamics of machines and mechanisms. Mechanical systems are described by means of representing them as systems of rigid bodies connected by various kinematical pairs and force elements, so-called multibody systems. Online animation of motion and plots of dynamical performances are available during simulation. There are lots of measurable dynamical performances of mechanical systems: linear and angular coordinates, velocities and accelerations, active forces and moments, reaction forces etc. Demo version has restrictions on complexity of models. No more than five bodies, five joints and five forces of each type are supported.

EngineersToolbox (ETBX) - is an advanced software product for engineering design and analysis. ETBX features integrated computational modules that provide rapid solutions to typical engineering systems and scenarios. The ETBX web-based service provides access to the ETBX solution library from anywhere using your web browser. Access to ETBX online is currently free.

ThermoAnalytics - The ThermoAnalytics demo software consists of the full code with a node-count limited license. The software has all functions fully enabled and can open and view models of any size. The demo license allows the software to run and save models up to 300 thermal nodes (typically 150 element resolution). Note that sample models of much higher resolution are included with the installation and can be opened, viewed, animated, but cannot be run or saved.

SINDA/FLUINT - is a comprehensive finite-difference, lumped parameter (circuit or network analogy) tool for analyzing complex heat transfer and fluid flow systems. Free demo.

SinapsPlus - is a complete pre- and postprocessing tool for SINDA/FLUINT. Users sketch their thermal and/or fluid circuits on the screen, validate inputs, launch a SINDA/FLUINT run, and then visualize results on their original schematic. Free demo.

Thermal Desktop - is a PC based thermal model builder. Thermal Desktop incorporates both familiar parameter based (TRASYS like) finite difference surfaces with finite elements with CAD technology to model thermal problems. Thermal Desktop develops the capacitance and conductance network for input to SINDA/FLUINT. Thermal Desktop has thermal analysis specific type of capabilities such as applying contact conductance, insulation, heat loads, and heaters. Free demo.

RadCAD - is a graphical fluid analyzer module available for use with Thermal Desktop. FloCAD allows a user to develop and integrate both fluid and thermal systems within a CAD based environment. Free demo.

TAS - Thermal Analysis System - Windows based general purpose thermal modeling software. Problems are simulated geometrically using 2D Plate and 3D Brick and Tetrahedron elements. TAS can accurately represent skewed elements. TAS uses a Finite Element method to convert geometry into an accurate resistor/capacitor representation which is then accurately and quickly solved using a finite difference method. This combination gives accurate results like other Finite Element (FEA) tools like NASTRAN and Ansys but solves in a fraction of the time. It also provides you with unsurpassed flexibility in model generation, not possible with a FEA solution. There are no limits to model size, only limited to PC memory. Free demo download.

TASPCB - Revolutionizing Printed Circuit Board Thermal Analysis. TASPCB directly imports all the data from your ECAD tool including component data, traces, power and ground planes and vias to automatically create a three-dimensional board model. Put this together with a complete component database and CFD analysis of the air and you get unprecedented accuracy and speed. Free demo download.

COLDPLATE - is a specialized software tool for the thermal analysis of cold plates and heat sinks. COLDPLATE performs rapid analysis and presentation of numerous trade studies involving different fin parametrics, geometry, fluid flow rates and boundary conditions. With COLDPLATE both isothermal analysis and non-isothermal analysis can be can be performed. Cold plate isothermal analyses can be completed in minutes giving the user detailed and summary results of temperatures, thermal resistances, pressure drops and many other parameters. Non-isothermal analyses incorporates an integrated finite difference code that provides for a complete steady-state and/or transient thermal analysis of an entire electronic enclosure. Free demo download.

CoolPack - CoolPack is a collection of simulation models each with a specific purpose. The following simulation purposes are covered: Cycle analysis (process design); System dimensioning; System simulation; Component calculations; Analysis of operating conditions; Transient simulation (cooling of an object/room); Refrigerant calculations (property plots, thermodynamic & transport properties, comparison of refrigerants); Life cycle cost. By Technical University of Denmark. Free download.

EngineeringPowerTools - is powerful software for professional engineers. This program can greatly increase your efficiency by eliminating wasted time, looking up formulas and then performing the same calculations over and over again by hand. The software solves a wide range of commonly encountered engineering problems quickly and efficiently. Over 140 program modules and data tables are organized into one easy-to-use package.

SolidCam- SolidCAM provides a full Manufacturing Suite for 2.5D Milling, 3D Milling, 3+2 Multi-Sided Milling, Sim. 5-axes milling, Turning, Turning with Driven Tools and Wire EDM. Download demo version.

PowerSHSPE - Delcam are pleased to announce the availability of a free multi-lingual version of PowerSHAPE. As well as enabling you to evaluate PowerSHAPE within your own working environment on your jobs, you can also install PowerSHAPE as a viewer, allowing anybody to view models you are sent or that you have created. The PowerSHAPE viewer contains the functionality of the full version, but you will not be able to save any modifications you make within this version. The PowerSHAPE viewer is able to read IGES files as well as Delcam files.

SurfCAM 2004 - SURFCAM 2004 features new verification technology from MachineWorks, Ltd. The new SURFCAM Verification package is fully integrated within SURFCAM and provides customers with visually-rich graphics and superior verification tools.

OneCNCXR -100% Windows Interface; Feature Recognition; Realtime Simulation; Import from any source; Powerful Modeling; Toolpath Wizard; SMT Technology; Associative Machining; Rest Robot; Posting.

V19 CAD-CAM - Developed for manufacturers small and large, V19 presents easy to use solids and surface machining technology at an affordable price. Import your surface file or solid model and machine it directly today! Free demo.

POWERSTATION 2002/XPERT - This is a demo version, it does not contain the "POWERSTATION DESKTOP" which is used for NC-Code file: editing, DNC communications, system and machine (post) setup. All file Saving/Exporting is disabled, and the generated NC-Code is limited in precision to two places behind the decimal point.

FeatureMILL -FeatureMILL2.5D is an advanced software package for unparalleled automation in Computer-aided manufacturing. As the name implies, it is a feature-based, or knowledge-based, manufacturing system. It knows about common features of milled parts and uses that knowledge to automate the manufacturing details. You control the amount of automation that is right for the situation.

Code Shark Mill/Lathe- CodeShark is a Hybrid G-code programming/editing/communications tool for your shop. Codeshark includes DNC communications, full editing, an integrated Cad system as well as a unique feature set not found in other programs. The Lite version has an unbeatable price, it's FREE! The full version is affordable for machinists and multiple seat discounts make it economical for machine shops as well.

Scan2CNC- allows you to scan a line drawing and convert that to G-Code so that the drawing can be cut by a CNC machining centre. (Even photographs can be approximated; but that is stretching it.) There are plenty of utilities that will convert a plot file to G-Code but this one is novel in that it converts a scanned image of a drawing into G-Code without the need to vectorise or trace anything. The whole process is done by hardware & software.

AutoEditNC- AutoEditNC is a 32-bit Windows program to assist in the creation and testing of Numerical Control (NC) programs in the Fanuc/G&M-Code format. AutoEditNC is a specialized text editor with NC code creation tools. AutoEditNC will also simulate the movements of the machine tool so that the student can test his or her program for accuracy and reliablility. Simply download and execute the Self-Extracting file.

CncSimulator- The worlds first free professional CncSimulator provides you with one of the most advanced yet easy-to-learn CNC Simulation software on the market. It has full 2D and 3D simulation of both turning and milling machines. With the CncSimulator from MicroTech you have the perfect tool for both industrial simulations as well as for training!

Electrical Engineering Freeware & Shareware

SmartDraw - SmartDraw is the easy drawing software that helps you create perfect electrical circuit diagrams and schematics in minutes. Use SmartDraw's extensive collection of electrical symbols and templates to help you create professional diagrams for: Electronic Circuits; Automotive Wiring; Circuit Schematics; Electrical Wiring; Digital Circuits; Parallel Circuits. Free download.

Merlin PCB Designer- you may have found that PCB design packages tend to be rather expensive and complicated pieces of software. But you already have a nice graphics program, like CorelDRAW, on your computer, and you wonder why you could not use it for designing PCB layouts. In fact, you can. Merlin PCB designer is a shareware solution that offers you the possibility to do just that. The full version is no longer available, but please enjoy the free version you can download on this site.

P-CAD 2002 - P-CAD 2002 expands the design power of PCB professionals with a vast array of new and enhanced features. From design entry through to manufacturing, P-CAD 2002 includes all of the tools you need to quickly and efficiently take on any board design task. Download free trial version.

Ansoft Designer SV - Ansoft Designer SV contains a complete high-frequency linear circuit simulator, schematic and layout design entry, powerful design utilities, and post-processing, all integrated in an easy-to-use environment. The software also includes a complete set of linear distributed transmission line models, discontinuities, vendor component parts, and ideal circuit elements.

CASCADE - The CASCADE program gives engineers the "what-if" capability to quickly select RF/Microwave components and predict system performance. CASCADE will also combine amplifier building blocks to satisfy specifications that single stage amplifiers cannot.

MWI -This is a program developed by Dr. G.R.Traut, Corporate Research Fellow of Rogers Corporation, to calculate the line width and impedance (as well as loss, temperature rise and coupling coefficient) of stripline, offset stripline and microstrip circuitry. A README text file is also included to provide information on the use of the program.

atlc- 'atlc' is a CAD package used for analysing and desiging electrical transmission lines of arbitrary cross section. Also for the design of directonal couplers. Some parts are CPU intensive, so multiple CPUs are supported.

Sonnet- provides commercial EDA software solutions for high-frequency electromagnetic analysis. A fully functional EM solver, Sonnet Lite is based on the industry standard Sonnet Suite analysis engine, em, with over 15 years of commercial EM software development. You can download it right now, it's FREE!

ANTENNA.EXE - ANTENNA.EXE is a self unzipping DOS file containing WIRE, based on some of the original MiniNEC work. However, the changes were so drastic that it can no longer referred to it as a variation on MiniNEC. One feature that it has is that it can handle coaxial structures. Thus a coax can be analyzed as two wires of different radii. There is care required at the terminations since there is fringing capacitance since an actual end-cap has not been included.

CAD Freeware & Shareware

SketchUp -Developed for the conceptual stages of design, this powerful, easy-to-learn software allows for quick and easy 3D form creation, modification and communication. Sophisticated enough for complex projects yet accessible for beginners, SketchUp allows everyone from architects to hobbyists to design in 3D. And it plays well with others! SketchUp exchanges data with all standard CAD, 3D modeling, image editing, and illustration applications. Free trial version.

3D Canvas -3D Canvas is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling. The standard version of 3D Canvas is a fully functional product provided as freeware.

RasterVect -The purpose of RasterVect is to quickly convert uneditable scanned paper drawings into accurate vector files for editing (as a CAD drawing) in any CAD program. It saves the converted file as one of vector formats: DXF, WMF, EMF, EPS or AI that can be read by any CAD program that supports these formats, including AutoCAD R14, 2000, LT and similar, like Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Microstation, VectorWorks, TrueCAD, FastCAD and many others. It's a direct replacement for traditional tracing and digitizing. It saves a lot of time. It is quicker than tracing with a digitizer.

SmartDraw -Drawing anything easily - flowcharts, networks, floor plans, electrical, mechanical ... try it for free.

CANVAS 9 Viewer -Free software for viewing and printing native CANVAS 6, 7, 8 and 9 (.cnv or .cvx) files on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X based computers.

NetZoom Solutions -NetZoom Solutions are companion products that enable users to create detailed network diagrams and presentations in a wide variety of diagramming applications including Microsoft Visio, Microsoft PowerPoint, iGrafx, AutoCAD, netViz and other applications.

Rhino -Start with a sketch, drawing, physical model, or only an ideaRhino provides the tools to accurately model your designs ready for rendering, animation, drafting, engineering, analysis, and manufacturing.

SpaceCAD -SpaceCAD is an intuitive model rocket design suite that provides features like stability and flight prediction in one seamless package. SpaceCAD delights users who are dissatisfied with difficult software that requires hours of effort to learn.

AlgoLab Raster to Vector Conversion Toolkit -converts architect, mechanical and various technical drawings, maps and other types of line artwork including black and white graphics for books and journals from raster to vector formats. This means that a paper drawing can be scanned, line artwork automatically recognized and represented in a vector format that then can be imported to your CAD or drawing program .

SolidConverter DWG - SolidConverter DWG will convert DWG and DXF files, optionally converting text, mtext, attributes, attdef, and proxies into 3D polylines. Runs as a standalone utility, or as an AutoCAD 2004 plug-in. Solid Converter DWG now converts DWG and DXF files to vector PDF files!

myHouse - A home design package. Not only will it help you layout a full multistory floor plan or a renovation project, but it will let you see the results in full color 3D before hammering the first nail.

CADMAX SolidMaster- Power, Productivity, and Simplicity. CADMAX Solid Master is the standard in Windows-based mechanical design software.

AcadExcel - An AutoCAD Add-in software, make it easy to insert table into AutoCAD drawing.

ProgeSOFT ArchT - ProgeSOFT ArchT is a complete 2D/3D parametric AEC software which assists architects in the drafting of civil and industrial buildings, both in the drafting of the project's tablets and in the creation of abacuses relative to the architectural components used. ProgeSOFT ArchT is available as application for IntelliCAD 4 and for AutoCAD 2000,2002 and 2004.

TurboCAD -is a versatile 2D/3D design application that breaks all barriers: price, power and performance. TurboCAD is compatible with over 25 CAD file formats including DXF, DWG, STEP, IGES & DGN.

GrSoft Smart Tools for AutoCAD - offers very effective user interface, making the basic AutoCAD commands accessible through user friendly dialogs, where you can easily define the basic parameters for each drawing object which is later drawn in AutoCAD environment.

CADopia IntelliCAD - is a powerful Computer-Aided-Design software for engineers, architects, designers and drafters -- virtually anyone who creates, edits, or views professional drawings.

StanConvert -StanConvert is an enterprise solution for CAD Managers to implement centralized control of translations and automated conversion of AutoCAD drawings to or from special project standards or standards used by other clients.

Building Composer -A free, open source, suite of criteria-based building design tools to support architectural programming and conceptual design.

Aligre Design- Alibre Design is the easiest to use and most accessible 3D mechanical CAD software on the market. It delivers parametric solid modeling, associative 2D drafting and detailing, and real-time Team Design for a fraction of the cost of other mid-range solid modelers.