CAD/CAM (mechanical) software for Apple

Inexpensive software usually meets limited demands.A quick search in the Apple site, either at "downloads" or "made4mac" could give results.Versiontracker, Macupdate etc can also give solutions.

Good luck!

Ask your grandson to ask his professors/instructors what the engineers/designers in his discipline use.

On the other hand, why isn't he the one asking the questions?

x

As a student he should be eligible for Ed pricing. Try these

TurboCAD 3D
http://www.imsisoft.com/prodinfo.asp?t=1&mcid=330&cid=199099

VectorWorks Machine Design
http://www.nemetschek.net/machinedesign/

You might also look at the Architosh web site for more options
http://www.architosh.com/index.phtml

Good Luck

Another software which has educational pricing is Form-Z which is a 3-D/2-D modeling and drafting software. None of these first few programs are that easy to use, but with some diligents and reading through tutorials or guide books almost anyone can do it.

Here is the list as I know them...

a) VectorWorks (previously mentioned by Geroge)
--> http://www.nemetschek.net/

b) Form-Z - I have used this for many years in a professional architecture office (I know they have educational pricing)
--> http://www.formz.com/

c) ArchiCAD by Graphisoft (know friends that have used this in professional office)
--> http://www.graphisoft.com/

d) TurboCAD ( http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/06/07/turbocad/index.php)
--> http://www.turbocad.com/

e) PowerCADD
--> http://www.engsw.com/webpage_content.html

f) Maya for OS X by Alias (very powerful but mostly used for animation/vsual effects)
--> http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services/maya/new/index.shtml

and here are some other searches that I have done that are very good...
--> http://www.pure-mac.com/cad.html
--> http://www.cadoutpost.com/catalog/drafting.html