Best Open Source 3D Modeler

[Japher]

Any advice on a free/open source CAD or 3D Modeler? I'm looking for something I can use to design parts that will go through rapid prototyping. Something like Solidworks, only free, would be nice. I don't really need to model movement, but it would be a nice to have.

I'm experienced on AutoCAD, but nothing else. So I also require something without a steep learning curve.

[Asher]

Blender is the only one I know. It's 3DStudio-like, not autocad though

[onodera]

http://www.osalt.com/autocad

BRL-CAD is made by the US Army, sounds good enough.

Blender is for rendering scenes and making polygon meshes.

[Hauldren Collider]

My twin brother (not Kuciwalker, TWIN brother) is a blender wizard..it works pretty well for him.

[BeBMan]

I hear too Blender is good feature- and performance-wise but I took its user interface as a personal insult (not sure how much it has changed in recent versions though). So I stayed with my non-free pompous Cinema 4D package.

[Asher]

My twin brother (not Kuciwalker, TWIN brother) is a blender wizard..it works pretty well for him.

Who is cooler, your twin or Kuci?

[Hauldren Collider]

My twin, by far. (We're identical btw)

[Japher]

so you're biased


I'm looking at K-3D and BRL-CAD, the others seem way more for video game stuff, which may be what i need. I don't know.