OpenCascade software - Free CAD/FEA??

[toyokogyo12aturbo]

Does anyone have any experience with OpenCascade. It's opensource and looks like it has the capability for finite element analysis? I'm sure schools provide better software, but I'm cheap and good software isn't. I'd like to build my own FSAE type car for local auto-x. U of Tenn doesn't have a FSAE program. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I've already built my own version of a Lotus Super 7, but that was fairly basic stuff that didn't require extreme lightness or stress anaysis. Any suggestions?? I'm a lurker.

[kwancho]

I'd like to build my own FSAE type car for local auto-x. U of Tenn doesn't have a FSAE program. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif .

Pshaw. You should start one. It's the cool thing to do these days.

[Denny Trimble]

SolidWorks Student Edition, With Cosmos, for $138, two-year license. Worth every penny.

Here (http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?T1=33835643+FS3)

And Here (http://www.studica.com/products/product_detail.cfm?productid=47057)

[Jersey Tom]

I'd be wary of free CAD in terms of functionality, and would straight up stay away from free FEA.

Go with the student liscense of some decent package. Solidworks is fairly powerful and easy to pick up quickly.

[Ben Beacock]

From what I can tell, it's a 3D modelling program that has the capability of pre- and post-processing FEM solver data. You would still need the solver (NASTRAN, ANSYS, ect..)

[Jersey Tom]

It's always been my opinion that you get nothing for nothing.