tobo

SketchUp is easy to use and there's pre-made models available but keep in mind it is not a proper CAD program so it may be difficult to get your design manufactured using it.
 
If you're a student you can get access to various CAD programs for free or cheap so you may look into that.
 
 
Links:
 
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/ General SketchUp model warehouse. Proceed with caution, some of the parts there are very unaccurate
 
http://scc.jezmckean.com/ Repository of computer parts for SketchUp. Note: some models are pretty accurate but some are not
 
http://grabcad.com/ 3D models, more for CAD programs
 
http://www.formfactors.org/ PDFs of the official specs for motherboards, PSUs, etc.
 
http://www.protocase.com/resources/ Good info on case design even if you don't use them for manufacturing
 
 
This in particular was very helpful and I can personally vouch for its accuracy: http://scc.jezmckean.com/item/509

We've actually thought about how we can make Nova available to interested reviewers, looking ahead. And, of course, we'd welcome input and opinion from the likes of Linus, the same as we try to hear from you all  But to be honest, at this moment we're very much focused on perfecting the design, and getting manufacturing figured out (and sharing our work, of course!).
 
In the near future, we'll dedicate more of our time to community outreach, communicating with the press and reviewers, and so forth. This will be especially true as we go into a crowdfunding campaign. But until then, we just want to make Nova the best it can be.

Maybe you can make the handle optional, since you said somewhere it's about $50.