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====== List of free software for Makers ======

Sometimes having the right tools can make all the difference in the world. A lot of really good software packages can tend to be "best kept secrets".

This is a list((This is a work-in-progress! We expect this list to expand greatly, and to add mini-reviews or tech specs for each entry)) of software that Maker may find useful. Everything on this list is "free" ("gratis"), "free" ("libre"), or at the very least has a "light" version for non-commercial use. (Some may restrict commercial application, or require a paid license to use commercially, always check the license ahead of time, and compensate engineers for their work when they ask for it). Applications that are "trial" versions in that critical core functionality is fundamentally crippled or time limited are ineligible for this list. 

Anibit staff tends to lean toward Microsoft Windows Desktops, and so this list may have somewhat of a bias, but many of the listed software is cross-platform, and we'll try to make a note of additional platform availability. In addition, many Mac and Linux user are likely already aware of many of these applications.

And now, on to the list...

===== Document and General File Management =====

==== Libre Office ====
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==== SciTe ====

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http://www.scintilla.org/SciTE.html

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==== 7-Zip ====

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==== Hex Edit ====

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http://www.hexedit.com/

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===== Graphics Editors =====

==== The Gimp ====

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==== Inkscape ====

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==== Paint.Net ====

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http://www.getpaint.net/

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==== Blender 3D ====

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http://www.blender.org/

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==== MeshLab ====

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http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

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===== Physical Modeling =====

==== Libre Cad ====

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http://librecad.org/cms/home.html

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==== Open SCAD ====

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http://www.openscad.org/

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==== FreeCAD ====

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===== CAM =====

==== HeeksCNC ====

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http://heekscnc.blogspot.com/2014/03/heekscnc-10.html ((You can buy the Windows binary, or build it yourself. HeeksCNC is a nice piece of software, please consider purchasing it.))

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==== OpenScad ====

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http://www.openscad.org/

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==== Slicer ====

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http://slic3r.org/

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===== Electrical Design =====

==== Eagle ====

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http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/product-overview

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==== KiCad ====

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http://www.kicad-pcb.org/

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==== LTSpice ====

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http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/

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==== Fritzing ====

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http://fritzing.org/home/

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===== Software Development Environments =====

==== Microsoft Visual Studio Express ====

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http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-express-vs.aspx

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==== Python Tools for Visual Studio ====

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http://pytools.codeplex.com/

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==== Eclipse/CDT ====

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http://www.eclipse.org/
http://www.eclipse.org/cdt/

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==== Atmel Studio ====

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http://www.atmel.com/tools/atmelstudio.aspx

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==== ARM tools for Eclipse ====

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http://sourceforge.net/projects/gnuarmeclipse/

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===== Math =====

==== Microsoft Mathematics ====

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http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15702

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==== Octave ====

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http://www.gnu.org/software/octave/

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==== wxMaxima ====

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http://sourceforge.net/projects/wxmaxima/

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===== Misc =====

==== PovRay ====

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http://www.povray.org/

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==== Audacity ====

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http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

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~~DISCUSSION~~