FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
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FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
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Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#2I have pretty mixed feelings about FreeCAD, having used it for 100+ hours across a few different projects.
It’s wonderful to have a open-source alternative to the expensive CAD software that muscled its way into a near monopoly in academia/industry, but it suffers from some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level. As it is, I don’t think it’s really usable as a serious tool for creating complex assemblies.
I’d be curious if anyone here has managed to use it effectively for a large project (something real-world, not just showcasing FreeCAD).
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#3I have pretty mixed feelings about FreeCAD, having used it for 100+ hours across a few different projects. It’s wonderful to have a open-source alternative to the expensive CAD software that muscled its way into a near monopoly in academia/industry, but it suffers from some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level. As it is, I don’t think it’s really usable as a serious tool for creating complex ass…
> some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level
Can you be more specific?
I understand that the Topological Naming Problem is big (discussed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSsVFu929jo), but as I understand it this is being fixed in the RealThunder branch (https://bit.ly/3iBzQly), and fixes may be flowing from this into FreeCAD 0.2.
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#4I have pretty mixed feelings about FreeCAD, having used it for 100+ hours across a few different projects. It’s wonderful to have a open-source alternative to the expensive CAD software that muscled its way into a near monopoly in academia/industry, but it suffers from some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level. As it is, I don’t think it’s really usable as a serious tool for creating complex ass…
> some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level Can you be more specific? I understand that the Topological Naming Problem is big (discussed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSsVFu929jo ), but as I understand it this is being fixed in the RealThunder branch ( https://bit.ly/3iBzQly ), and fixes may be flowing from this into FreeCAD 0.2.
My complaint is that it is extremely modal and as a result not very friendly, not intuitive even to a relatively experienced CAD user.
I’ve used a variety of CAD and it just really didn’t click. I know it’s open source, so not going to be as UX oriented, but still.
I would love to be proved wrong. If there’s something I’m missing please share.
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#5I have pretty mixed feelings about FreeCAD, having used it for 100+ hours across a few different projects. It’s wonderful to have a open-source alternative to the expensive CAD software that muscled its way into a near monopoly in academia/industry, but it suffers from some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level. As it is, I don’t think it’s really usable as a serious tool for creating complex ass…
Curious if you have compared to SolveSpace?
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#6I can't wait to see FreeCAD or something like it mature into something on the level of Blender. The problem seems to be that other free-ish CAD software exists out there, so there's not much demand. Another problem seems to be that overlap between people interested in solid modeling and people able to program for solid modeling is very small.
For sculpting, Blender actually does pretty well. And for parametric solid modeling, Fusion360 has a free license for hobbyists and startups. For programmatic non-parametric modeling, there's OpenSCAD.
But like others have said here, FreeCAD is lacking a lot of polish, and that makes it pretty hard to use.
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
> some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level Can you be more specific? I understand that the Topological Naming Problem is big (discussed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSsVFu929jo ), but as I understand it this is being fixed in the RealThunder branch ( https://bit.ly/3iBzQly ), and fixes may be flowing from this into FreeCAD 0.2.
My complaint is that it is extremely modal and as a result not very friendly, not intuitive even to a relatively experienced CAD user. I’ve used a variety of CAD and it just really didn’t click. I know it’s open source, so not going to be as UX oriented, but still. I would love to be proved wrong. If there’s something I’m missing please share.
I've experienced that user unfriendliness too. I'm not at all an expert in this, I'm a FreeCAD newbie that has been trying to decide whether to invest in learning FreeCAD or not.
I keep wishing that FreeCAD had the UI polish of Blender, and ask myself if Blender can do enough of the CAD workflows that it makes sense to learn Blender instead of FreeCAD.
I keep reading that technically speaking, mesh-based modelers are woefully insufficient for CAD tasks. But then I see videos like this, which suggest that Blender can handle most modeling tasks, with the main exception of bevels and chamfers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5SehCbhxFs
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#8I can't wait to see FreeCAD or something like it mature into something on the level of Blender. The problem seems to be that other free-ish CAD software exists out there, so there's not much demand. Another problem seems to be that overlap between people interested in solid modeling and people able to program for solid modeling is very small. For sculpting, Blender actually does pretty well. And for parametric solid…
> For programmatic non-parametric modeling, there's OpenSCAD.
There is also CadQuery, which claims to have fundamental technical advantages over OpenSCAD: https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery
I've tried CadQuery and had a rough time of it. I haven't used OpenSCAD at all though, so I can't compare.
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#9For simple stuff I think it's pretty good. Though it falls apart when you have topological changes in the tree.
For more complex stuff I'm tempted to go buy Alibre Cad. It's $150 for personal use / no subscription.
Re: FreeCAD: Open-source 3D parametric modeler
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
> some really inexcusable design problems, on a fundamental level Can you be more specific? I understand that the Topological Naming Problem is big (discussed in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSsVFu929jo ), but as I understand it this is being fixed in the RealThunder branch ( https://bit.ly/3iBzQly ), and fixes may be flowing from this into FreeCAD 0.2.
My complaint is that it is extremely modal and as a result not very friendly, not intuitive even to a relatively experienced CAD user. I’ve used a variety of CAD and it just really didn’t click. I know it’s open source, so not going to be as UX oriented, but still. I would love to be proved wrong. If there’s something I’m missing please share.
I found OpenSCAD to be very friendly for parametric designs, but after a while I switched to the SolidPython wrapper as it was more flexible.
However, I'm hunting for a better way to create 3d models via code (Blender Python?) because 'extrude_along_path'->SolidPython->OpenSCAD->stl export simply could not handle my model.