I've used Sketch Up for a short wile, and it did get me interested in 3D modelling, but ultimately, the models it creates require too much work to fix to get them to print properly.

About a year and a half ago, I needed to have some injection molded prototypes made for work and found that no one wants to even consider your SketchUp designs for prototyping.  You need to provide either AutoCad, Inventor or Solidworks files.

So I started to learn SolidWorks.  Frankly there's no comparison, once you start working with Solidworks, you realize just how primitive and lacking SketchUp really is.  I haven't looked at SketchUp since.

I know it appeals to many, but that's probably because they haven't been exposed to something like SolidWorks.

Amen to that. I want to design, solidworks and inventor allow me to do that and don't get in the way.

About a year and a half ago, I needed to have some injection molded prototypes made for work and found that no one wants to even consider your SketchUp designs for prototyping.  You need to provide either AutoCad, Inventor or Solidworks files.

So I started to learn SolidWorks.  Frankly there's no comparison, once you start working with Solidworks, you realize just how primitive and lacking SketchUp really is.  I haven't looked at SketchUp since.

I know it appeals to many, but that's probably because they haven't been exposed to something like SolidWorks.

Solidworks/inventor are definitely not overkill if you're "just making STLs", at least not if you want fully constrained, well-parameterized designs.

+1 Sketchup

Yep

http://www.sketchup.com/

Solid Edge is free for students.  Its in the same class as SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor so more powerful than the old Alibre.

https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/ … wnload.cfm

If you are just creating STL files, all three are probably overkill.  You probably don't need to do drawings, sheet metal or Finite Element Analysis.

There is also a $20/month version of Solid Edge at Local Motors.  This is what I use but its mainly because I'm already used to the higher end CAD products.

https://localmotors.com/design1/

https://store.solidworks.com/studentsto … mand=Step1

If you like there product  I suggest you look at and try the cubify line of software. Aliber personal edition  became cubify more or less.

http://cubify.com/en/Products/Software

there are three options. :

1 cubify invent  is great in you only need files for a 3d printer and is only $ 49

cubify design allows parametric drawing and allows you to make 2d prints from you 3d files like alibre did.
$199

sculpt is an organic modeling program (digital clay) for $ 129
All of these have a free download for 14 day free trial.

IF you are a US military Veteran solid works has a program you can licence an older version for a year for $ 20.

Tin