By the time you read this, Autodesk will have lifted the veil off its 123D consumer design product. Targeted towards the hobbyist, craftsman, tinkerer, inventor…it will be available for a very popualr price: $0.

Here is an early look. Graphics and descriptions are preliminary and were supplied in advance of the product release.

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The interface. With commands for Extrude, Constrain, etc., it doesn’t seem dumbed down enough for your average Joe.

123D appears to be based on a solid modeling engine, as commands such as Sketch and Extrude are shown. According to Autodesk, a shelling command will be available to save material for parts that will be sent to 3D printers.

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A generous amount of common objects will be included as editable models so uses can either start their designs using the models as a base or use the models as is in  assemblies. Also included are scenes that can serve as backdrops.

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About 2,000 fasteners are included, as well as a couple thousand structural shapes, tubes, pipes, and other hardware. Again, very generous of AutoCAD. Note parts are in DWG format.

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Ikea or Autodesk? Piece your 3D shape with cardboard, a little glue and and an Exacto knife. This dolphin pattern will sell for $45.

Though some designs,like this chair, will be available for free. 

If you just want to make something from an existing design, you can download some projects for pay from Autodesk partners but some simple projects will be made available for free.

123D is Windows based. But I expect a Mac based version is not far off.

More information at www.123dapp.com.

Next: 123D Debuts at Makers Faire.