That's pretty cool. I don't need CAD software but I've kept hearing for years that the FOSS alternatives could not compete with AutoCAD. Is this a sign for the better?
That's pretty cool. I don't need CAD software but I've kept hearing for years that the FOSS alternatives could not compete with AutoCAD. Is this a sign for the better?
Sometime within the last 6 months I needed to use some cad tools to make an original 3d printed part. Before TechShop's demise I would have used their Autodesk licensed tools FreeCAD (whatever...
Sometime within the last 6 months I needed to use some cad tools to make an original 3d printed part.
Before TechShop's demise I would have used their Autodesk licensed tools
FreeCAD (whatever version it was) was clunky and the interface a bit wonky and there was a learning curve, but perfectly functional.
I bought 3D printer this June and while waiting for it to arrive I was wondering what software I would use on my Linux desktop. I was unable to get Fusion 360 (which seems like a go-to for Windows...
I bought 3D printer this June and while waiting for it to arrive I was wondering what software I would use on my Linux desktop. I was unable to get Fusion 360 (which seems like a go-to for Windows people) working and while searching for other software I stumbled upon FreeCAD.
While it was and still is very hard to learn (probably like any other 3D software if you don't know anything about it) it does what I need and I made many models using it. I also got better at making them (the workflow and technical aspect) on this journey. I'm still beginner but I can manage myself now.
I don't know what changes v1.0 brings, all I can say is that even pre-1.0 version that I use is very usable - if you are familiar with FOSS and how it is (can be unintuitive, conservative, etc.). Simply put - you can't compare it to very well known and big names in this bussiness.
It seems that most CAD software companies are trying to target the browser these days. OnShape is the one that’s best known for being browser only but there are other options as well. Even...
It seems that most CAD software companies are trying to target the browser these days. OnShape is the one that’s best known for being browser only but there are other options as well. Even solidworks has a browser version now. Both onshape and solidworks offerings are free to hobbyists.
Personally, I prefer openSCAD. It’s not as powerful or easy to use but writing out code seems to fit my brain better.
I would probably use OpenSCAD sometime in the future as well. I like doing things mathematically correct, so programming a 3D model is kinda my dream way of doing this stuff. But I stick to...
I would probably use OpenSCAD sometime in the future as well. I like doing things mathematically correct, so programming a 3D model is kinda my dream way of doing this stuff. But I stick to FreeCAD for now.
I don't like the way browsers go. I prefer dedicated programs if applicable - I use Libreoffice, VLC, FreeCAD... That way I'm also independent of (fast) internet connection. And these programs do what I need of them.
OpenSCAD is kind of its own thing. I would be very surprised if there were any engineers using it in a professional setting. But for the others, yes. There are some that are better at specific...
OpenSCAD is kind of its own thing. I would be very surprised if there were any engineers using it in a professional setting.
But for the others, yes. There are some that are better at specific things so some niches will use one program or another - I hear a lot of people saying it’s Solidworks or bust, for instance.
It should be noted that I’m not an engineer so my usage of these programs is very much on the hobbyist level. Solidworks’ web and hobbyist offerings are both new to me as well - I probably heard about them for the first time earlier this month - and so I have not had the chance to evaluate it.
Whenever I see good news about it, I ask the poster if they know of any companies that rely on FreeCAD for their business. That's a big hurdle for CAD software and FreeCAD hasn't gotten there yet...
Whenever I see good news about it, I ask the poster if they know of any companies that rely on FreeCAD for their business. That's a big hurdle for CAD software and FreeCAD hasn't gotten there yet as far as I know.
FreeCAD never* will. Ondsel tried and couldn’t penetrate the market, but it’s not because of them. Industries that rely on these types of software demand support, say-so in features, and...
FreeCAD never* will. Ondsel tried and couldn’t penetrate the market, but it’s not because of them.
Industries that rely on these types of software demand support, say-so in features, and guaranteed reliability. While FreeCAD is doing fantastic work, that hurdle will require significant funding to overcome.
*Never say never, right? Maybe there is a way, but as someone that works in the industry, I can’t see any path right now into industry adoption.
I think it's possible. Some demand surely exists because good CAD software is expensive and it happened with Blender. The issue is that FreeCAD is in its Blender 2.4* stage at best, quality-wise....
I think it's possible. Some demand surely exists because good CAD software is expensive and it happened with Blender. The issue is that FreeCAD is in its Blender 2.4* stage at best, quality-wise. It feels like it needs funding for more intense development and some outside influence, but it's not at a high enough quality level to get to that and it's probably going to take years till it gets there.
* that was before the first GUI rework that finally led to significant adoption, though it only accelerated after the second GUI rework years later
I'm using Ondsel at work with varying degrees of success. My coworker is using OnShape with more success, but the fact that the plug can be pulled on us any time has me wary of putting all of our...
I'm using Ondsel at work with varying degrees of success. My coworker is using OnShape with more success, but the fact that the plug can be pulled on us any time has me wary of putting all of our eggs in that basket. I've created viable, sellable product in Ondsel though, and I appreciate FOSS enough to stick with it with all of my stubbornness. But we're a small company and just getting started in this side of the business, so if things take off we might spring for the good stuff. Time will tell.
Maybe it's time for one more try. I've given FreeCAD a couple of test runs but I always end up giving up. I learned AutoCAD back in school and I've taught myself a nonzero amount of Fusion360 and...
Maybe it's time for one more try. I've given FreeCAD a couple of test runs but I always end up giving up. I learned AutoCAD back in school and I've taught myself a nonzero amount of Fusion360 and SketchUp for woodworking and 3D work, but for some reason FreeCAD has always been a nonstarter for me.
That's pretty cool. I don't need CAD software but I've kept hearing for years that the FOSS alternatives could not compete with AutoCAD. Is this a sign for the better?
Sometime within the last 6 months I needed to use some cad tools to make an original 3d printed part.
Before TechShop's demise I would have used their Autodesk licensed tools
FreeCAD (whatever version it was) was clunky and the interface a bit wonky and there was a learning curve, but perfectly functional.
1.0 is surely even better, and that's great
I bought 3D printer this June and while waiting for it to arrive I was wondering what software I would use on my Linux desktop. I was unable to get Fusion 360 (which seems like a go-to for Windows people) working and while searching for other software I stumbled upon FreeCAD.
While it was and still is very hard to learn (probably like any other 3D software if you don't know anything about it) it does what I need and I made many models using it. I also got better at making them (the workflow and technical aspect) on this journey. I'm still beginner but I can manage myself now.
I don't know what changes v1.0 brings, all I can say is that even pre-1.0 version that I use is very usable - if you are familiar with FOSS and how it is (can be unintuitive, conservative, etc.). Simply put - you can't compare it to very well known and big names in this bussiness.
It seems that most CAD software companies are trying to target the browser these days. OnShape is the one that’s best known for being browser only but there are other options as well. Even solidworks has a browser version now. Both onshape and solidworks offerings are free to hobbyists.
Personally, I prefer openSCAD. It’s not as powerful or easy to use but writing out code seems to fit my brain better.
I would probably use OpenSCAD sometime in the future as well. I like doing things mathematically correct, so programming a 3D model is kinda my dream way of doing this stuff. But I stick to FreeCAD for now.
I don't like the way browsers go. I prefer dedicated programs if applicable - I use Libreoffice, VLC, FreeCAD... That way I'm also independent of (fast) internet connection. And these programs do what I need of them.
Are these all just competing general CAD programs or are they in different niches?
OpenSCAD is kind of its own thing. I would be very surprised if there were any engineers using it in a professional setting.
But for the others, yes. There are some that are better at specific things so some niches will use one program or another - I hear a lot of people saying it’s Solidworks or bust, for instance.
It should be noted that I’m not an engineer so my usage of these programs is very much on the hobbyist level. Solidworks’ web and hobbyist offerings are both new to me as well - I probably heard about them for the first time earlier this month - and so I have not had the chance to evaluate it.
Whenever I see good news about it, I ask the poster if they know of any companies that rely on FreeCAD for their business. That's a big hurdle for CAD software and FreeCAD hasn't gotten there yet as far as I know.
FreeCAD never* will. Ondsel tried and couldn’t penetrate the market, but it’s not because of them.
Industries that rely on these types of software demand support, say-so in features, and guaranteed reliability. While FreeCAD is doing fantastic work, that hurdle will require significant funding to overcome.
*Never say never, right? Maybe there is a way, but as someone that works in the industry, I can’t see any path right now into industry adoption.
I think it's possible. Some demand surely exists because good CAD software is expensive and it happened with Blender. The issue is that FreeCAD is in its Blender 2.4* stage at best, quality-wise. It feels like it needs funding for more intense development and some outside influence, but it's not at a high enough quality level to get to that and it's probably going to take years till it gets there.
* that was before the first GUI rework that finally led to significant adoption, though it only accelerated after the second GUI rework years later
I'm using Ondsel at work with varying degrees of success. My coworker is using OnShape with more success, but the fact that the plug can be pulled on us any time has me wary of putting all of our eggs in that basket. I've created viable, sellable product in Ondsel though, and I appreciate FOSS enough to stick with it with all of my stubbornness. But we're a small company and just getting started in this side of the business, so if things take off we might spring for the good stuff. Time will tell.
I heard Ondsel shut down operations last month. They cited this exact issue as the reason - no commercial adoption.
Well dang, I hadn't seen that. Thanks for the heads up, looks like I ought to switch to FreeCAD for updates.
Maybe it's time for one more try. I've given FreeCAD a couple of test runs but I always end up giving up. I learned AutoCAD back in school and I've taught myself a nonzero amount of Fusion360 and SketchUp for woodworking and 3D work, but for some reason FreeCAD has always been a nonstarter for me.