91–100 of 111 posts
Freecad never really clicked with me. Tried it most recently in 2023 and the user experience just didn't make sense to me. My impression was that freecad is one of those projects were things have been a certain way for a long time (UX/UI wise I mean) and it works for those people so it will never change. For my small cad usage I just went with onshape.
Recently one of the magnet holders for my window shutters broke, and I thought I'd take a crack at designing a replacement to 3D Print. I'd never designed anything in CAD software before, so I had no real reference. I found FreeCAD extremely easy to use and intuitive. I watched a couple videos and followed-along with the tutorials, then started on my own item. It's a relatively simple 3-part component. I took measure…
FreeCAD is really the only serious contender for CAD on Linux. I love how everything is hackable via Python APIs. Every release seems to fix more and more UX issues. I have very high hopes for it to eventually start attracting more commercial usage, much like KiCad and Blender did in their spaces. We need more open software like that.
Is it any closer to functioning like Solidworks, NX, Creo, and all the other professional CAD software packages? Edit: After opening it up it seems better than before but still not a replacement. I can use the draw tool to create a rectangle but than immediately cannot apply symmetry or equal length constraints until I delete others which shouldn't overlap. Clicking to create a cut or hole opens up a window that does…
It's inherently limited by its geometry kernel. Most "real" CAD suites use something like parasolid, usually with a bunch of extras slapped on top. Making a new one from scratch is a massive undertaking, but I'll remain forever hopeful that we get a new, modern, open-source kernel one of these days...
On the suggestion of one of these comments I've started watching Deltahedra videos on YouTube [and they're great] but after watching his 1.1 release video it looks like half his tutorials could be remade with the new shortcuts. It's also pretty humbling to see someone who knows their tools make something.
I'd worry if I was AutoDesk. Given the way they treat their customers like pinatas, I'm surprised they've maintained their dominance.
I vibecoded a suitcase handle months ago with its Python interface. A pleasant experience.
Would like to hear more about how you did it. Did you connect it up to Claude Code?
3d printed handle was exactly how i wanted it to be
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It's very common (Fusion calls it User Parameters, etc.) and indeed nice practice. FreeCAD has a few ways to do it, Spreadsheets but also free-form properties on objects. It's very flexible in this regard.
The Fusion implementation sucks. A spreadsheet is a far more natural way to do this, Im surprised FreeCad is doing it better than the paid variant.
In coming time you can see freecad massively improving. This space lacks good opensource solution. I have tried creating my parts, tried tinkercad (which is simple but limited) Tried fusion. And pretty much other things don't support mac. I've a hunch lots of vibe coders are going to come and launch stuff like freecad and Gimp (which I never liked, can't even get simple tasks done in gimp) Future is bright for openso…
Freecad is limited by Open Cascade which is the modeling kernel at the heart of the program. I started with Open Cascade then moved on to Granite from PTC (not open source) and the latter is just so much easier, faster, and stable. I’ve heard Parasolid and whatever it is that Autodesk uses these days are both excellent as well. It would be nice for there to be a more modern open source modeling library.
https://fosdem.org/2026/schedule/event/QQRAAF-occt3d-8-kerne...
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for incredibly simple parts that i can describe using measurements, i've had a lot of fun pointing a high-power ai at openscad and letting it iterate through making the design for me it's still tough to turn it into something i can then keep fiddling with in freecad though put on "tron: ares" in the background to fully appreciate the model designing something that will be 3d-printed :)
I haven't tried it, but FreeCAD has scripting https://wiki.freecad.org/Python_scripting_tutorial Edit: Your website is quite confusing. Took me awhile...
Recently one of the magnet holders for my window shutters broke, and I thought I'd take a crack at designing a replacement to 3D Print. I'd never designed anything in CAD software before, so I had no real reference. I found FreeCAD extremely easy to use and intuitive. I watched a couple videos and followed-along with the tutorials, then started on my own item. It's a relatively simple 3-part component. I took measure…
for incredibly simple parts that i can describe using measurements, i've had a lot of fun pointing a high-power ai at openscad and letting it iterate through making the design for me it's still tough to turn it into something i can then keep fiddling with in freecad though put on "tron: ares" in the background to fully appreciate the model designing something that will be 3d-printed :)