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Yeah I just end up using Fusion 360. But depending on a freebie for hobbyists that could be withdrawn any time it's a bit worrying. I wish there were good visua

Yeah I just end up using Fusion 360. But depending on a freebie for hobbyists that could be withdrawn any time it's a bit worrying. I wish there were good visual tools. I don't like browser based and blender is too focused on animation (I'm more into 3D printing) so I haven't found a good FOSS alternative. FreeCAD isn't it anyway.

omnimus 8mo ago
3dDune is actually pretty capable and simple for basic usecases. Plasticity for free form hard surface CAD modeling. If you need parametric CAD then the learning curve jumps significantly and FreeCAD nowdays actually makes sense as with a bit of practice and customization you get to great place. FreeCAD feels like Blender few years before v2.80 - people outright dismissed it because it had a bit unconventional UX but underneath was already the extremely solid software that now dominates 3D polygon modeling. FreeCAD doesn't have that much of a momentum but i wouldn't be surprised if they became Blender of CAD over time.
- ssrshh 8mo ago
  Autodesk making Fusion worse in any way could be the catalyst for FreeCAD to realize its full potential
  - omnimus 8mo ago
    There is quite a bit more competition though. For example OnShape is imho sweetspot and it's also kinda free.
- wolvoleo 8mo ago
  I don't really do simple designs, and making them parametric would be really difficult. I'm just more visually oriented than mathematical. But yeah FreeCAD I just can't get my head around it right now.
  - omnimus 8mo ago
    Try https://www.plasticity.xyz/ https://www.plasticity.xyz/
    - wolvoleo 8mo ago
      Hmm interesting but no free option for hobbyists (just 30 days). That's a bit of a dealbreaker for me. Looks like a good tool though. The price is a lot lower than Fusion but still too high for hobby use IMO.
sho_hn 8mo ago
Note it's only a freebie if you are on Windows/Mac, too. If you're on Linux, it works terribly on wine and you have to use the browser version, and then you need a $95/month subscription.
- wolvoleo 8mo ago
  Yeah I have a Windows gaming box which I use so I use it on that. I would not use a 3D design tool in the browser anyway.

omnimus 8mo ago

3dDune is actually pretty capable and simple for basic usecases. Plasticity for free form hard surface CAD modeling. If you need parametric CAD then the learning curve jumps significantly and FreeCAD nowdays actually makes sense as with a bit of practice and customization you get to great place. FreeCAD feels like Blender few years before v2.80 - people outright dismissed it because it had a bit unconventional UX but underneath was already the extremely solid software that now dominates 3D polygon modeling. FreeCAD doesn't have that much of a momentum but i wouldn't be surprised if they became Blender of CAD over time.

ssrshh 8mo ago
Autodesk making Fusion worse in any way could be the catalyst for FreeCAD to realize its full potential
- omnimus 8mo ago
  There is quite a bit more competition though. For example OnShape is imho sweetspot and it's also kinda free.
wolvoleo 8mo ago
I don't really do simple designs, and making them parametric would be really difficult. I'm just more visually oriented than mathematical. But yeah FreeCAD I just can't get my head around it right now.
- omnimus 8mo ago
  Try https://www.plasticity.xyz/ https://www.plasticity.xyz/
  - wolvoleo 8mo ago
    Hmm interesting but no free option for hobbyists (just 30 days). That's a bit of a dealbreaker for me. Looks like a good tool though. The price is a lot lower than Fusion but still too high for hobby use IMO.

sho_hn 8mo ago

Note it's only a freebie if you are on Windows/Mac, too. If you're on Linux, it works terribly on wine and you have to use the browser version, and then you need a $95/month subscription.

wolvoleo 8mo ago
Yeah I have a Windows gaming box which I use so I use it on that. I would not use a 3D design tool in the browser anyway.