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Five CAD Programs

Alibre CAD
I haven't used Alibra software, but will relay what I've heard from other reviews.

Alibre Design 3D CAD software directly targets SolidWorks (and Inventor), at a lower price-point.  Alibre makes solid-modeling software that, similar to Inventor and SolidWorks, begins with primal shapes like rectangles or circles, and extrudes or cuts 3D solids or holes.  More primal shapes are in turn built upon or cut from these bases. 

The beauty of building solid models with primal shapes is that once you get past the initial learning curve, it is pretty easy to use and build designs.  Additionally, when you know how to use one Solid-Modeling program you can learn another in just a few hours.

My impression is that one of the three levels (Hobby/PE, Pro and Expert) would fit the needs of most hobby or small-shop users.  Depending on the deal of the month, Alibre CAD packages are a fraction of the price of SolidWorks/Inventor, probably with 80% of the features and 90% of the functionality most users would need on a day-to-day basis.  Hobby PE level will save/export in STL files, but not IGES files.  

The Hobby PE level is priced at $199.  Pro and Expert level packages offer IGES file export and more advanced features for professional use at $999 and $1699.   Novaedge often matches or discounts Alibre direct pricing. 

Rhino CAD
The possibilities of Rhino CAD are fascinating!  On the other hand, it's limitations are frustrating.  This program is capable of creating flowing, organic, 3D shapes that are photo-realistic.  Ideally suited for Computer Aided Manufacturing, Rhino is also capable of producing dimensioned technical drawings.

It seems to me that this would be a really good CAD package for injection mold design.  Unlike the Solid Modeling software that works off of primal shapes, Rhino's strength seems to be it's ability to create complex NURBS based surfaces that can output to IGES files and be converted to G-Code in CAM.   A separate add-on, Rhino CAM, runs right inside of Rhino CAD. 

Rhino has a student deal on fully-functional software that doesn't expire when you stop being a student and may be used professionally.

I'd say that the primary downside to Rhino CAD is that it is not a Solid-Modeling CAD package similar to Inventor/SolidWorks/Alibre.  In Rhino you draw lines, fix points, and stretch out frames.  This is similar to erecting a tent, where you build the framework of poles that the fabric stretches over.  I'm told that this is more intuitive for people who have AutoCad experience, but it definitely was not an easy transition for me.  Additionally, this is a program largely designed for 3D illustration and CAM purposes.  Based on reviews, dimensioned technical drawings suitable for machinist work can be created, but not every reviewer thinks it is easy.  Some users have also told me that it is not as easy to make changes in previously created features with Rhino as it is in the history tree of the solid modeling programs.

Rhino CAD sells to students for $195 and non-students for $995.  Optional add-ons are available.

DeltaCad:
This basic 2D CAD program has a lot of good reviews for being easy to learn and an inexpensive and effective way to rapidly produce good quality, easy to read, technical drawings. 

This is a 2D Graphical Style CAD program.  You lay out your plans by putting the lines where you want them and entering in dimensions.  If you want to indicate depth, draw another side.  I hear that it is easy to learn, and will get you going quickly.  While DeltaCad does not produce 3D files, it is capable of creating 2D DXF files for CAM use.

Of the programs reviewed on this page, DeltaCad is probably the most similar to drawing on a piece of paper with a ruler. 

Amazon.com sellers offer Version 3 starting at about $2.  The current version 7 can be purchased through DeltaCad for $40.