Hi Sam,

I think you will find MoI to be well suited to the tasks you mention, though you may need to learn to think a little differently than the way a given task might be done in other CAD packages. It absolutely will do the 2D and 3D tasks, and as Ed mentions, starting with 2D curves is a very good way to develop accurate 3D models. MoI's tools are fewer and more "elemental" (if you will) than some of the big CAD packages, but they are thoughtfully produced, powerful and work well together. While I do not do 3D printing, I use MoI to model everything that I build (from machine parts to buildings), and then produce 2D construction drawings that I use to actually make things. I have also exported parts for laser cutting and have had no issues (though I've not done that a lot). While many use MoI for more artistic purposes, I find it extremely helpful for making things. Suggest spending some time with the manual as well as the forum as both are helpful in learning "the MoI way". If you're used to something like SketchUp, it would also be helpful to learn a little about NURBs vs. polygon modelers...approximated curves in SketchUp dove me nuts, with MoI they're the way the good lord intended them to be!

--Larry