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0 pointsbombela4mo ago0 comments

I have been using freecad extensively. Almost daily. It's an absolute utter mess. It barely works. But it's essentially the only open source CAD. So I keep trucking.

The most important improvement is the toponaming heuristic solver spearheaded by Realthunder.

Since that was merged into mainline, it seems that the devs keep breaking the UX and shortcuts without rythme nor reason, while the fundamentals are broken beyond repair.

I would never recommend freecad to anybody, even though this this the only CAD I use, and I actually write python for it for some automation.

I cannot live without freecad. But damn it's a mess.

0 comments

WillAdams4mo ago

Another opensource CAD tool to look at is Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/

which has been discussed here in the past:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958

which if it just had parameters/scripting would have a lot more potential.

mijoharas4mo ago

I was somewhat excited about it, but one feature I wanted for the thing I was doing at the time was importing an svg, which it didn't support at the time (and from a cursory github search still doesn't support?).

It's a shame, because it looks really nice. Maybe I'll check it out for the next thing I do where that's not a requirement. Might be a shame since I've finally learnt how to (basically) use freecad now!

WillAdams4mo ago

Importing an SVG will require support for Bézier curves, which is a tough lift mathematically.

1 more reply

sinker4mo ago

As an opposing viewpoint, I also use FC extensively for designing moderately complex parts (fully parametrically constrained assemblies, dozens of parts per assembly, mechanical components involving motion).

I've also extended the functionality with python, and have heavily customized the theme and shortcuts to fit my personal taste.

I not only tolerate the software, but enjoy using it, and am quite proficient at it.

I would recommend FreeCAD to others, but with some caveats. The most important being that they need to be willing to tolerate a few hours of introductory material, and second that they are serious about using the software long-term.

Otherwise, I'd probably just recommend Onshape. But, for many others, FC is fully viable.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsbombela4mo ago0 comments

I have been using freecad extensively. Almost daily. It's an absolute utter mess. It barely works. But it's essentially the only open source CAD. So I keep trucking.

The most important improvement is the toponaming heuristic solver spearheaded by Realthunder.

Since that was merged into mainline, it seems that the devs keep breaking the UX and shortcuts without rythme nor reason, while the fundamentals are broken beyond repair.

I would never recommend freecad to anybody, even though this this the only CAD I use, and I actually write python for it for some automation.

I cannot live without freecad. But damn it's a mess.

0 comments

WillAdams4mo ago

Another opensource CAD tool to look at is Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/

which has been discussed here in the past:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958

which if it just had parameters/scripting would have a lot more potential.

mijoharas4mo ago

WillAdams4mo ago

Importing an SVG will require support for Bézier curves, which is a tough lift mathematically.

1 more reply

sinker4mo ago

I've also extended the functionality with python, and have heavily customized the theme and shortcuts to fit my personal taste.

I not only tolerate the software, but enjoy using it, and am quite proficient at it.

Otherwise, I'd probably just recommend Onshape. But, for many others, FC is fully viable.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse