I mean seriously, I would never expect so much functionality even from a paid proprietary software. This is truly amazing.
this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2024
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Now if FreeCAD could just get its shit together... the CAD Plugin for Blender is better than FreeCAD and we're talking comparisons of like 20yrs vs 1yr here. FreeCAD is OOOOOOOLD. It's had plenty of time.
That user interface is almost embarassingly bad. It's incredibly difficult to learn even if you know how to use other advanced 3D software. Also bugs - and lots of them.
It's gotten waay better the last 2-3 years though, i didn't like it back when i first tried it, but now FreeCAD is my go-to favorite cad program
Huh, maybe I should give it another try rhen.
Check out Ondsel it's a FreeCAD fork that is very polished and has some optional paid teirs for PLM. They are using RealThunder's fix to the topological naming problem and Assembly3 for their assembly workbench. Which works really well on the small subassemblies I've made so far. I've been using it for a few weeks after switching to Linux as my daily driver and loosing access to Fusion360, it's missing a ton of EOL features still, Offsets is a big one for me, but it's getting there.
As someone that's been using CAD for almost 15 years it still takes a bit of a learning curve coming from Softwares like SOLIDWORKS, NX, Creo, or Fusion. But after getting the hang of it and installing some great add-ons from the community to expand the workbenches I'm really loving it. It's built in FEM great for static models. Not replacing ANSYS anytime soon. But fun to mess around with.
Having a solid basis in GD&T really helps you understand why FreeCAD makes certain decisions. Learning DOF rescritions using minimum constraints really sets you up for success. And using OG datums for sketches and then project to surfaces has been a big mindset shift for me that's helped solve a lot of issues I had with the software when I first used it years back.
There’s a CAD plugin?? I’m a mechanical engineer and am sick and tired of getting ripped off by CAD programs. Not even gonna waste my time w freecad tho
Yeah, CAD Sketcher is nice for what it is. It doesn't quite turn Blender into CAD; but having constraints, dimensions, etc is really nice. I find I can badly use blender with CAD Sketcher, better than I can trod through figuring out WHY TF FreeCAD isn't working this time... or what new toolbar bullshit I need to install to get geometry to create the way it's created in every other CAD package on the market.
I found Plasticity really good too. Blender controls, but a good geometry solver, great filleting engine, just overall a great package without a monthly subscription.
Thanks!
Is that plugin really better?
Literally yes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jNDLUDL0gc