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this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2023
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Asklemmy
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For electrical engineering there is KiCad, which is pretty good overall. Only reason I'm still using proprietary software is because I'd have to recreate my libraries and it will be a huge pita.
For mechanical design there is FreeCad, which is usable for simple geometries, but if you come from a proprietary CAD software you may find it lacking.
For 3D printing, did you try OpenSCAD? If you're already a programmer it's much easier to get into than it is to get into any classic CAD software.
OpenSCAD has its uses, but would hardly classify it as full CAD software. Prusa, I believe, used OpenSCAD for a while but they even moved to Fusion360. FreeCAD would be great if the devs would stop trying to reinvent the wheel in their UI. There is a ton of potential, but it simply isn't where it needs to be yet.
Fusion360 or SolidWorks are very well established in that space and their shitty license models reflect that.
Still, as a free alternative, FreeCAD is where it's at. You just really need to understand if it will suit all of your needs and for me, it doesn't.
I've made some great and somewhat complex designs using freecad, it's certainly capable.
I eventually switched to fusion 360 because of the UI and it's more easy to find help. And less need to find help
For that you can also use Blender
Yeah, it's a great tool for the job. Not as good as Zbrush, but I used it for print prep several times and it just has all the tools you might need.
I wonder, what makes a good CAD system?
I had this idea for a while to build a Frankenstein monster of a 3D software that uses real time graphics and has a multi step build process covering CAD, wireframe manipulation and voxel workflows. If I ever actually make it, your concerns will be heard despite being probably not the best softwsre to do your work in :)
Proper math and an intuitive interface, the opensource alternatives really struggle with some basic functions
Modern day, proper parametric modeling with robust and intuitive constraints.
That is a question too hard to answer in a comment and one that depends on the use case of the software. Few users need the power and features of CATIA or NX, but those who need it can't accept anything lesser. SolidWorks is a good spot in terms of flexibility and features if it could be easier for the average person to use. You need proper accurate parametric modeling (e.g. a NURBS kernel) for solid models and surfacing. Hearing things like wireframe and voxel indicates it isn't suitable to me.
I got a maker sub to solidworks. I couldn't keep up with 360's oddities and feature changes.
Once you get the basics down it's pretty much all transferable. There are some minor workflow changes, but the functionality isn't all too different.
This is especially true with architecture. You're stuck with AutoCAD/Revit or else you have next to no functionality.
Blender ;)