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I last tried it maybe 3 years back. It was buggy then too, but the main issue was that when I sent a part out to fab they couldn’t get the files to import/rende

by xevb3k 9y ago

I last tried it maybe 3 years back. It was buggy then too, but the main issue was that when I sent a part out to fab they couldn’t get the files to import/render correctly (missing faces). There solution was “please send us the solidworks file”. So... I gave up. More recently, I’ve been using Onshape. My understanding is that was designed by many of the Solidworks team. It works reasonably well and I’ve not had issues getting parts made. Ideally I think I’d like something that was both cloud based and open source. But I should give freecad or Solvespace another chance perhaps.

kwk1 9y ago
> There solution was “please send us the solidworks file”. So... I gave up. Ack, that sounds rough--there can definitely be some pain on the bleeding edge (of open-source CAD.) As far as cloud-based, do you just mean in terms of having that available as a storage/sharing option? Or are you wanting a browser-based client? I've been interested in looking at options for the former for FreeCAD, possibly using either Nextcloud or Mediagoblin servers as backend. (Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a good FOSS product lifecycle management software.)
- xevb3k 9y ago
  Cloud based, as in browser-based. I find it handy as it lets me easily move between workstations. Can also pull up and edit designs on my phone in a pinch.
- justinclift 9y ago
  As a thought, I've put time and effort into a potential solution for this, for a different (non-CAD) project though. Emailed you the details in case it's of interest. Might need to check your spam folder as gmail sometimes puts things from my domain in there (mail config issue on our end, but can't be solved easily).