CAD Software Suggestion

I am currently on win10 but have been toying with mint and liking it. I intend on fully switching over soon. I have also been toying with the idea of some simple 3D modeling, like making custom parts for projects around my house. Maybe using a CAD software to generate stls for a 3D print or using it to spec out parts for a design made out of aluminum extrusion (like 8020) little things like that. I was thinking about getting a solidworks hobbyist license for 45 a year but solidworks doesn't support Linux. I could keep a Windows dual boot HDD, but fuck that. Any suggestions on a CAD software that fits? Have a gaming PC with a 3060 and some beefy hardware.

AlexanderESmith ,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

I know that there is a large difference between CAD and general 3D modeling, but I've designed all my custom 3D printed parts in Blender and have had zero issues with fitment or scaling.

astrsk ,
@astrsk@kbin.social avatar

Yup, it really depends on if you want to specifically get experience with CAD or have a working thing in your hand. Blender is perfectly capable of working in scale and is how I’ve designed / printed anything custom with perfect results.

AlexanderESmith ,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

I was just posting in another thread about how I remade the armrest of my Traveler Guitar to be more comfortable. The one it comes with is super uncomfortable to me, so I redesigned it to be shaped more like a Squier. Images here .

All I really needed was some cardboard, some calipers, and Blender. Though, to get the measurements just so, I had to make a bunch of little virtual rulers (the yellow strips). In CAD, you wouldn't need those since the measurements are described directly in the process of making the part.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

Use freeCAD as it will be easier

AlexanderESmith ,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

Unless you have a graphics background and no CAD experience. In which case, Blender will be far easier.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

It might be easier in the short term. However, long term you should use cad. Blender isn't for video editing or cad work.

AlexanderESmith ,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

I disagree with the overall substance of your argument.

Sure, if you've already designed something on paper and want to feed numbers in and get a part, CAD is clearly superior. I don't work that way.

I will use (and recommend) the tools that have the least friction for me. I would not increase the time and headache to complete a project just because someone else thinks another workflow is better. I don't need CAD because 3D printing tolerances are not that tight. Some people need/want CAD because that's the only kind of tool they've used to make 3D objects, and that's low friction for them. That's cool too.

I'm suggesting Blender here in case someone (OP or a passer-by) hadn't considered it, and didn't realize that it's up to the task of creating 3D printable objects. It definitely can, I've done it dozens of times, even with matching measurements against existing parts (which - it occurs to me now - is most of what I've done).

Also, I exclusively use Blender VSE for video editing. Mostly because it's the best free/open-source option I've tried, and I don't need to add another tool to my workflow. I never really liked the Adobe suite, and most non-adobe tools try to cosplay as them. It's a lesser form of a thing I already didn't like.

sic_semper_tyrannis ,

FreeCAD and MangoJelly on YouTube has great tutorials.

untorquer ,

I use SW and Fusion daily for work and i think FreeCAD is at last comparable. Definitely as stable if not more reliable. Simulation is well featured. The interface is slightly clunkier but it's being improved rapidly. Even few years ago it wasn't usable for me but now i can comfortable make parts in it.

sic_semper_tyrannis ,

As a beginner who hasn't used anything else I don't find the UI bad. It let's me reorganize my toolbar too

wargreymon2023 ,

MS paint

duckythescientist ,

I agree with the people suggesting Onshape.

But if you like programming, OpenSCAD can be really interesting.

hungover_pilot , (edited )

+1 for openscad. I switched over from Fusion 360 back when autodesk changed the personal use license in 2020.

It takes a bit to get used to it, but once you've made a few parts you begin to see how powerful it can really be.

Its also super lightweight, so you can run it on most systems without any issues. I've ran in on a chromebook before.

The only thing I miss about fusion 360 is an easy way to add fillets to parts, that can be tricky in openscad. I use chamfers for the most part though, so I don't miss it much.

nyan ,

The only thing I miss about fusion 360 is an easy way to add fillets to parts, that can be tricky in openscad. I use chamfers for the most part though, so I don’t miss it much.

There's an OpenSCAD add-on lib called BOSL that offers primitives with built-in fillet options (plus a wide array of other stuff, like premodeled metric bolts). Admittedly it spends a lot of time reinventing the wheel, but I've found it useful from time to time.

skilltheamps ,

There's also CadQuery, which I find more intuitive to use than openscand: https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/intro.html

axum ,
@axum@kbin.social avatar

Onshape offers featurescript for scripting out models.

Doombot1 ,

I’ve tried out FreeCAD and it’s decent - but it’s really tough to get a hang of. Ondsel has a bit of a better interface imo and is based directly off of FreeCAD. Maybe give either of those a shot?

tpihkal ,

Have you looked at OnShape? It's browser based and cloud based (your models are open to the public if you use it for free) but it's pretty solid for basic parametric 3d modeling. As well, it comes from an ex-Solidworks founder and feels very familiar but very limited.

I'm a Solidworks Certified Pro and would definitely use it myself, but I'm primarily on Windows so I'm always using Solidworks.

carzian ,

Onshape hands down. Browser based so there's no compatibility issues. It's super easy to use and pretty powerful. Its free for hobbiests (the caveat being your models will be publically accessible). We use it exclusively at work and it's been awesome.

Onshape.com

I'd love a good Foss CAD package but there are too many issues with the current ones for me to make the jump.

llothar ,

This is the only correct answer. Onshape is a fantastict, feature complete CAD system that I would be happy to use for any commercial project regardless of size and stakes. Love it.

a_fancy_kiwi ,

I've seen some youtubers recommend OnShape. It's a browser based CAD app so it should work fine.

Shdwdrgn ,

A lot will depend on your preferred workflow, and since you mentioned SolidWorks I assume that means you prefer a more GUI-oriented approach. However as an alternative, if you are comfortable with more of a programming approach, you might look in to OpenSCAD. Most things are done from a more primitive standpoint in how you create each part of an object, but I like having the direct control over every aspect.

IrateAnteater ,

Not sure if Fusion360 supports Linux. Only other choice I can think of is FreeCAD.

mnemonicmonkeys ,

Fusion works with WINE

kutsyk_alexander ,
@kutsyk_alexander@lemmy.world avatar

FreeCAD

cole ,
@cole@lemdro.id avatar

really rough to use honestly. I'd rather use non-FOSS (on shape) while I wait for this to hit the "blender inflection point" and actually get good.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

It works fine for me. It is probably more of a individual preference

callcc ,

FreeCAD is really good nowadays. You need a bit of time to get into it but then it comes with everything needed also for complex multi-part assemblies.

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