free 3D CAD software give away?

[fyffe555]

I followed one of the google ad links from the Zone to find this;

http://www.x-cad.net

Supposedly its a giveaway of 'named' 3D software for free IF they get 100k signups by August 1st. It's about 40k now. I used a hotmail account in case it was a spam scam but it looks fairly ligitimate.

A search of the web says its based in Austin texas , not far from Alibre....?

[mxtras]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11367

Yup. Prolly is Alibre. Alibre was stolen from Solid Works so they shouldn't be too upset. I wonder what this is going to do for Solid Works' suit against Alibre?

Scott

[fz1]

I signed up when it was only around 20000. So word has been getting around. I'm willing to give it a try ad hope it gets to the total number needed for the giveaway. I have only recieved one e-mail from them letting me know the status and had a small questionare about cad knoledge. No other spam has increased yet so I think its legit. So what if they wish to keep track of who has their software given to them for free. Kinda like a beta giveout if you ask me.
ANYONE HERE AFRAID OF SPAM JUST WON'T GET IT FOR FREE.
Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

[Dan B]

I have done a little research into this, and it does look like it is connected to Alibre. I registered, and have not had any ill effects (spam). I hope it hits the 100K mark, as a free seat of Alibre would be okay with me.

As for the comment that Alibre was stolen from SolidWorks, can you provide some links to prove this. I know that Alibre's code was stolen and sold as RaceCad out of Russia. I have never heard the allegation of Alibre stealing code from SolidWorks.

Thanks

Dan

[moyesboy2]

OK so I just reposted old news about x-cad - but at least it shows the recent registration count and links to some info about why it may well be Alibre.
As regards Alibre vs Solidworks that was not about code theft but about Alibre recruiting someone who had supposedly signed an agreement not to work for a competitor for a period, and not to take cutomers info with them, or use personal contacts to approach other solidworks employees.
That was back in 2000 and an out of court settlement was expected when this article was written:
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/st...17/story8.html

[Dan B]

Thanks for the link.

Should hit 60,000 registrations today. At approximately 10,000 new registrations per week, as was the case this last week, it doesn't look like they are going to get 100,000.

Dan

[moyesboy2]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over the numbers on that counter!
Read what Upfrontezine had to say about that...
Ralph has been in touch with the company behind x-cad and they convinced him to play along with keeping their identity "secret".
His guess is that they are going to give it away if it reaches 100,000 or not, but I guess they can edit the numbers on the counter anyway!

[DSL PWR]

Well it just hit 60 grand.