Quote:
Originally Posted by hirofkd
That's when you tell people, "Go buy a CATIA!" 
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CATIA? What use?! It's a very very complex software and very very pricy on top of that, plus there is really no need for it in order to make simple parts.
There are plenty of free software that one can use, like:
TrueSpace7.6
http://www.caligari.com/
Google SketchUp
http://sketchup.google.com/
And many others:
http://www.3dlinks.com/links.cfm?cat...TOKEN=64698641
Sure you can also decide to pay a premium few thousands for a well known 3d modeling software like 3DSMax or Maya or even more for a CAD software (surface design will be trickier with these ones), but is it worth it?
Some of them even offer a limited time full version demo package or a version with limited tools but with unlimited usage.
If someone asked me this question a few years ago the only answer would have been a professionally developed software. Luckily nowadays we get free products in almost any possible domain.
One should pick what suits him/her best from a financial and ease of use POV.
PS: If interested there are comparisons of different software available:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...phics_software
http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/...on_of_3d_tools
http://www.tdt3d.be/articles_viewer.php?art_id=99
These will help get a good understanding of what these software allow you to do and possibly help you to chose the right one for your needs.