The company no longer develops Sketchup Make, its free desktop software, but you can download it from Trimble's archives. The SketchUp website offers a really impressive array of video and self-paced training options to help you along the way. Of course, if you're looking to put out detailed designs with accurate sizing and tolerances, you'll need to spend some time learning the ins and outs of the program.

Even if you've never done any CAD work or 3D modeling before, you can pull together some really nice presentations in minutes. The interface makes it easy to get up to speed on the basics. SketchUp's free web-based version has plenty of power, but if you need additional functionality, you have to buy SketchUp Pro-and pay a hefty price tag. Trimble has enhanced it and developed it further and now offers a slew of related products. In 2012, Google sold the product to Trimble.

SketchUp was originally developed by Google and was one of the greatest free CAD packages ever put on the market. For the student version, we have to sign-in and then select the student version option. The only limitation on the software is a watermark on any plots you generate, designating that the file was created with a non-professional version. The AutoCAD student version is available free for up to 3 years. Free feature is web-only with many important features hobbled. AutoCAD, the heavy hitter of the CAD industry, offers a free, fully functional version for download to students and faculty.

Autocad student