Before I begin.....

[Mad inventor]

Hi, I've got a problem and i'm hoping that someone out there will be kind enough to help me...

I'm an amateur inventor and i'm looking to buy a software package that will enable me to design a prototype of my proposed invention. I am completely new to CAD and 3D modelling and need some guidance from people who use it everyday - Is this you???

I use a Mac G5 OS X system, and require software that is easy to use, yet will be capable of producing the complex shapes I require.

I need to be able to produce file formats that can be used for ‘rapid prototyping’ and also for animation.

I am considering using ‘Amapi Pro 7’ to produce the 3D models and then ‘Carrara 4 Pro’ to animate them - However, before I commit myself to quite a major investment I need some reassurance that;

[ 1] The software will be able to do what I need it to.
[ 2 ] The software is easy enough that i’ll actually be able to use it!!!!

Also I am unsure about the difference between ‘Designer 7’ and ‘Pro 7’ it sounds to me as though ‘Pro 7’ is best for product design and ‘Designer 7’ is more geared for scene creation - is this right?

Many thanks for any guidance you can give me...

[draudrau]

Yes, it's right.
If you're totaly new to 3D design or CAO, amapi is a good product. In fact, it's a simple soft to learn. Carrara too.
For cad design, amapi pro is a better soltuion. But you can use amapi designer too. Both are good to create STL files (prototype files).
The pro release is 7.16
It's a good release which is stable and efficient. Some tools need some improuvments, but it'll be soon done.

Amapi pro is like designer but with advanced NURBS tools.
NURBS is a different modelisation way than polygone. It can be more difficult but amapi has an intuitive approach.

Amapi and carrara are in demo release. Try them !