I have been using a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 running Mac OS X 10.6.7 to do everything for the Academy course, including 2D and 3D CAD, programming, documentation, and occasionally videoconferencing! Many of the software links are accordingly specific to OS X, but hopefully there is still plenty of interest whichever platform you are working on.
Software > Web Development
- > Google Chrome - my standard web browser
- > Sublime Text 2 - the text editor I use for any coding - html, css, c etc
- > Lightbox 2 - easily implimented javascript for displaying image galleries from thumbnails
- > Seashore - simple image editor, for resizing photos, altering colours and compressing before upload
Software > 2/3D CAD
- > Google Sketchup - most 3D work starts here
- > Sketchup DXF/STL plugin - useful for getting designs out of Sketchup and into equipment-specific software
- > OpenSCAD - surprisingly easy once you get the hang of, code-based 3D design
- > DraftSight - free 2D CAD program from the same company as Solidworks
- > Eagle PCB Design Software - the standard software for design circuits and layout out PCBs
Software > Collaborative Working
- > Dropbox - a shared dropbox between all of the participants and FabLabMCR has enabled easy collaboration
- > MacHg - I have used this Mercurial GUI to manage all of my interaction with the fablab repository and haven't had any problems. Usual rules apply - if it says something will cause an issue, then don't do it!
General Links > Interesting Fab-related stuff
- > A suitcase-sized, 3-in-1 CNC multi-tool
- > www.cutlasercut.com
- > VRZ 1. a tack bike frame with 3d printed lugs (vimeo link)
- > Could You Really Manufacture Your Own Electronics?
- > Unto This Last - CNC furniture