Regarding 3D CAD packages, there are people that get along well with parametric modeling, and then there are people that don't.? I'm one of the "don't" types, several years ago I read a white paper that said some people's brains are wired for parametric modeling and some are wired for direct modeling.? Don't get frustrated if parametric modeling doesn't suit you, try direct modeling - or vice-versa.? For the life of me I couldn't wrap my head around Fusion 360 several years ago, but Designspark just made sense.? There are other 3D CAD packages that use direct modeling, I think Sketchup is one of them?? I think Autodesk's 123D was also a direct modeling software, legit downloads of that software are still available if you search for it.
Over the years I have tried Fusion 360, Alibre, and FreeCAD - I get along better with a direct modeling software like Designspark Mechanical than I do with Fusion 360, Alibre, or FreeCAD.? The bad news is that as of 5/31/23 Designspark will go from a "free" software to a subscription software.? There will still be a free version, but it won't do everything the "free" Designspark v5 does now.? Kind of like what Autodesk did to Fusion 360 a while back.
