Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Wiki map

2022-05-11T13:05:33Z

WillAdams: /* Resource Pages */

=Basics=
*'''This site map intends to give new visitors an overview of the content available on this wiki.'''
*See [[OSE Vision]]
*See [[OSE Crash Course]]
*[[Current Projects]]
*[[Status of Completion]]
*[[OSE Development Protocol]]
*[[Products]]

=Getting Acquainted=
*[[FAQ]] - Frequently Asked Questions
*[[How can I help?]] - Different ways in which you can help us
*[[Current tasks]]

=So you're a developer now...=
*[[Current tasks]]
*[[Development Team Meeting]]
*[[Development Team Schedule]]
*[[Development Team Log]]

=How to Edit + Format Wiki Pages + Common Templates Used=
*[[Wiki Cheatsheet]]
*[[Eric's Unofficial "Construction Set" Page Template]]
*[[Eric's Unofficial Page Template]]

=The Global Village Construction Set=
*[[Global Village Construction Set]]
*[[GVCS Rollout]]
*[[Product Ecologies]]
*[[Crash Course]]
*[[OSE Specifications]]
*[[Proposal 2012 Outline]]
*[[GVCS Development Template]]
*[[GVCS Components Library]]

="Construction Sets" Map / Conclusive List=
*See [[Construction Sets]]

=Wiki=
*[[Wiki instructions]] If you want to add or edit pages on our wiki, this page will help you.
*[[Wiki Documentation Standards]] For those who want to start contributing content to the wiki.
*[[Wiki maintenance]]
*[[Wiki stats]]
*[[Wiki tools]]
*[[Wiki culture]]

=Resource Pages=

* [[CAD]]
* [[CAM]]

=Open Source Ecology=
*[[OSE Mission]]
*[[:Category:Guiding philosophies]]
*[[Evolve to freedom]]
*[[OSE/Index]]
*[[OSE Systems and Processes]]
*[[:Category:Team Culturing]]
*[[OSE Founder]] [[Marcin Jakubowski]]
*[[Transparency]]
*[[True Fans]]

=Factor e Farm (Infrastructure)=
*[[Factor e Farm]]
*[[Factor e Farm General Guidelines]]
*[[Factor e Farm Infrastructure Buildout 2011]]
*[[FeF Workshop]]
*[[OSE Shop 2011]] follows work on building our tool-fabrication workshop.
*[[Hab Lab Project Home]] follows work on our year-round residence.
*[[Cordwood hut]]
*[[Solar Panels at Factor e Farm]]
*[[Rules of Conduct]]
*[[One Month Project-Based Visits]]

=List of Categories=
{{listofcategories}}

[[Category:Wiki]]

CAD (Computer Aided Design)

2022-05-11T13:04:57Z

WillAdams: /* Important Links */

{{OrigLang}}
{{CADTemplate}}
=Overview=
[[Image:Image_-_CEB_Press.png|right|300px]]

Computer-aided design (CAD), also known as computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer. CADD software, or environments, provides the user with input-tools for the purpose of streamlining design processes; drafting, documentation, and manufacturing processes. CADD output is often in the form of electronic files for print or machining operations. The development of CADD-based software is in direct correlation with the processes it seeks to economize; industry-based software (construction, manufacturing, etc.) typically uses vector-based (linear) environments whereas graphic-based software utilizes raster-based (pixelated) environments.

CAD environments often involve more than just shapes. As in the manual drafting of technical and engineering drawings, the output of CAD must convey information, such as materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances, according to application-specific conventions.

=What does CAD do for OSE?=
CAD for OSE is used to share designs and manufacturing drawings accurately between designers, engineers, machinists and anyone else interested in a high level detail. It provides a level of detail of part design and assembly that is usually not available with other mediums such as video and standard text.

This wiki will also provide information, guidelines and standards for how to approach your modeling and drafting. Creating a open source document that everyone can follow will help in uniformity and universal understanding of models and drawings created in the open-source environment.

=Get Involved=
If you're interested in design/modeling/drafting we'd love you to join our team. OSE is always looking for help in developing the GVCS and ultimately in creating a collaborative network of people to draw upon for all open source projects. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or brand new to CAD this is a great place to learn, share and create in an open, collaborative environment with people from around the world.

Head on over to the [[Development_Team/CAD_Team|CAD Team]] for more information.

=Current Work, Needs and Requests=
You can track the status of the CAD for different projects currently being worked on at the [[CAD Current Work]] page.

There will always be a lot of CAD that needs to get done. To see our current CAD needs and how you can help out or to put in a request for help, please head over to the [[CAD Needs and Requests]] page.

=Important Links=
Use the following links to navigate to the other sections pertinent to items related to CAD
*'''[[CAD Current Work|Current Work]]''' - Latest updates on what's being worked on
*'''[[CAD Needs and Requests|Needs and Requests]]''' - Go here to see how you can easily help out with CAD or make requests yourself
*'''[[CAD Standards|Standards]]''' - Everything about standards from drawing formats and title blocks to design "best practices"
*'''[[CAD tools|List of CAD Tools]]''' - Overview of the currently available CAD packages, including open source
*'''[[CAD Discussion|Open Source CAD Discussion]]''' - Further discussion on some of the open source CAD packages
*'''[[CAD PDM|Product Data Management Tools]]''' - Information on PDM tools and implementation
*'''[[CAD FEA|FEA]]''' - Information on finite element analysis
*'''[[Digital Fabrication|CAM / Digital Fabrication]]''' - Brief introduction to computer aided manufacturing (CAM)

== External resources worth considering==
*'''[[CAD Tools]]''' - [http://blog.dreamcss.com/design-tool/free-computer-aided-design-software/ 10 Free and useful computer-aided design software]

==See Also==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design Wikipedia: CAD]
*[http://fennetic.net/ Fennetic]
*[[SKDB]]
*[[CNC]]
*[[CAM]]
*[[Open Hardware Repository]]

[[Category:CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

Wiki map

2022-05-11T13:03:47Z

WillAdams: /* Wiki */

=Basics=
*'''This site map intends to give new visitors an overview of the content available on this wiki.'''
*See [[OSE Vision]]
*See [[OSE Crash Course]]
*[[Current Projects]]
*[[Status of Completion]]
*[[OSE Development Protocol]]
*[[Products]]

=Getting Acquainted=
*[[FAQ]] - Frequently Asked Questions
*[[How can I help?]] - Different ways in which you can help us
*[[Current tasks]]

=So you're a developer now...=
*[[Current tasks]]
*[[Development Team Meeting]]
*[[Development Team Schedule]]
*[[Development Team Log]]

=How to Edit + Format Wiki Pages + Common Templates Used=
*[[Wiki Cheatsheet]]
*[[Eric's Unofficial "Construction Set" Page Template]]
*[[Eric's Unofficial Page Template]]

=The Global Village Construction Set=
*[[Global Village Construction Set]]
*[[GVCS Rollout]]
*[[Product Ecologies]]
*[[Crash Course]]
*[[OSE Specifications]]
*[[Proposal 2012 Outline]]
*[[GVCS Development Template]]
*[[GVCS Components Library]]

="Construction Sets" Map / Conclusive List=
*See [[Construction Sets]]

=Wiki=
*[[Wiki instructions]] If you want to add or edit pages on our wiki, this page will help you.
*[[Wiki Documentation Standards]] For those who want to start contributing content to the wiki.
*[[Wiki maintenance]]
*[[Wiki stats]]
*[[Wiki tools]]
*[[Wiki culture]]

=Resource Pages=

* [[CAD]]

=Open Source Ecology=
*[[OSE Mission]]
*[[:Category:Guiding philosophies]]
*[[Evolve to freedom]]
*[[OSE/Index]]
*[[OSE Systems and Processes]]
*[[:Category:Team Culturing]]
*[[OSE Founder]] [[Marcin Jakubowski]]
*[[Transparency]]
*[[True Fans]]

=Factor e Farm (Infrastructure)=
*[[Factor e Farm]]
*[[Factor e Farm General Guidelines]]
*[[Factor e Farm Infrastructure Buildout 2011]]
*[[FeF Workshop]]
*[[OSE Shop 2011]] follows work on building our tool-fabrication workshop.
*[[Hab Lab Project Home]] follows work on our year-round residence.
*[[Cordwood hut]]
*[[Solar Panels at Factor e Farm]]
*[[Rules of Conduct]]
*[[One Month Project-Based Visits]]

=List of Categories=
{{listofcategories}}

[[Category:Wiki]]

Recumbent Bike

2022-05-11T13:02:03Z

WillAdams: /* Plans */

=About=
*{{check}}'''Top page on recumbents - including brands for each type. [https://renekmueller.com/recumbents]
*{{check}}'''Good info on moving bottom bracket, and pro/con of FWD-MBB design (can use upper body to assist drive)''' - [https://cruzbike.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-best-recumbent-road-bicycle]
*Why are Recumbents not as popular? Outside of being banned in races - ''having a bike that can be climbed and sprinted at low RPM nearly as effectively as DF (non-recumbent) bike is only part of a problem of 'ending bikeism'.'' - fascinating technical thread - [http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=132446]
*Recumbents are banned from bike racing competitions because they outperform the rest [https://wheretheroadforks.com/types-of-recumbent-bikes/#wheelbase]
*Self-stability in bikes - fascinating video on front wheel drive [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4mbT3ozcA]
*World record in human-powered speed - 87 mph - is held by a recumbent [https://www.sciencealert.com/this-bike-just-broke-the-record-for-human-powered-travel-speeds]
**257W at 100 km/h!

<html><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BC5KIFHd5Ao?start=228" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
*History of recumbent bikes [https://bicycleman.com/history-recumbent-bike/] and its politics [https://daily.jstor.org/who-killed-the-recumbent-bicycle/].
**Fascinating story of a faster and more comfortable bike languishing behind industry standards - for 100 years and remaining fringe today.
*Terms - bent bike is 'bent bike - or recumbent bike.

=Types=
*Lowracer - Barcroft: Oregon - [https://www.lightningbikes.com/store/index.html#!/Bikes/c/30267620 Lightning]. [http://www.challengebikes.com/brochures.php Challenge] Walter Zorn:Kreuzotter V5 Optima:Baron, X-Low, Cobra M5: Titanium Low Racer, Carbon Low Racer Velokraft: NoCom (No Compromise)
*Highracer - ActionBent: HiRacer, Attack, Bacchetta: Giro 26, Giro 26 ATT, Strada, Corsa Corsa 24, Corsa S/S, Carbon Aero 2.0 and Ti Aero RANS: Force 5, Force 5 Pro, Enduro Volae: Club, Expedition and Sport.
*Midracer - ActionBent: Mustang, Rans: X-Stream, Fujin: Tour Challenge: Hurricane 2009, Furai
*High Bottom Bracket refers to height of bottom bracket above seat

=Ergonomics=
*High BB v low - [https://www.jetrike.com/ergonomics.html]

=Sourcing=
*Craigslist - Vision $500 - [https://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/d/omaha-vision-recumbent-under-steer/7479253327.html]
*New - $2650 - [https://lightfootcycles.com/products/performer-x-low-low-racer-recumbent-bike?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1N2TBhCOARIsAGVHQc7EIekA8HaoWD1gFPSu7lM7t33xn5vJwOJqfTWx3c2mpDWqhX2rOXMaAsVmEALw_wcB]
*'''Bike Barn''' - [https://www.thebikebarn.com/recumbent.html]. [https://bicycleman.com/rans-force-5-dual-650-recumbent-bike/ Rans Force 5]. [https://www.basicallybicycles.com/articles/featured-recumbent-bike-rans-x-stream-pg217.htm Rans X-Stream]. [https://bicycleman.com/volae-club-recumbent-bike/ Volae Club]
*Liberty - [https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/recumbent?_q=recumbent&map=ft]
*Terratrike - [https://www.bikekc.com/product-list/bikes-1000/other-1037/recumbent-1040/?sort=relevance]
*Sunseeker - [https://www.cappsbikeshop.com/product-list/bikes-1000/other-1037/recumbent-1040/?sort=relevance]
*Trident TWIG - [https://www.cypbikes.com/bike-detail?id=27]. Azub and HP Velotechnik. Trident makes lower cost recumbent trikes.
*Low racer recumbent - [https://www.performercycles.com/recumbent-bikes/low-racer-recumbent-20-inch-16-inch/]
*High racer recumbent - [https://www.performercycles.com/high-racer-700c/]
==Long==
*Linear - $3k - [https://linearrecumbent.com/bikes/folding-limo/]
==Short==
*Turner Recumbents T-Lite1 [https://www.turnerrecumbents.com/products/]. $1400. Reviews - [https://products.roadbikereview.com/product/2003-bikes/2003-recumbent-bike/turner-enterprises/t-lite-basic.html]
*ZOX 20 low - [https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-20/zox-20-low/]. Check out their S and Z frames - they look sensible for simplicity - [https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-20/zox-20-z-frame/]. This is FWD (front wheel drive), non MBB (moving bottom bracket).

==Moving Bottom Bracket and Front Wheel Drive==
*About - see diagram of geometry types - [http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=78986]
*Cruzbike - [https://cruzbike.com/products/t50]
*Discussion on FWD - [https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/front-wheel-drive-and-why-it-fails-the-stability-when-you-most-need-it-test.7208/] - it appears it is ok but some don't like it

=How to Design=
*Ergonomics - [https://www.jetrike.com/ergonomics.html]. Note: images are available, need to 'copy image URL' and view in a different window.
*12 steps for great handling - [http://bikesmithdesign.com/Design/12steps.html]
*Bottom bracket (BB) height - if high, less wind resistance - [80% of riders effort is used to overcome wind resistance at 32 kph (20 mph.) To reduce the frontal area, you want the riders body to present as small an area from the front as possible. By having the BB and therefore the legs, above the riders butt, you achieve that.]

=Plans=
*Lowracer recumbent - [https://www.atomiczombie.com/marauder-lowracer-diy-plan/]

=Alternative Design(s)/Features=

Trike? Adding another wheel improves stability and eliminates the issue of learning dynamic balancing (how to ride a bike) --- it adds the question of wheel configuration, traditional trike (single front wheel, two in back) vs. tadpole (two front wheels, single back wheel).

Folding? Bikes can be large awkward things, being able to fold them, while adding mechanical complexity can be a huge win for convenience

Storage --- one innovative effort in this space was the Sinclair C5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5 which was designed to be stood on end for storage

Usages other than traveling --- why not have a stand for the bicycle which allows using its gearing to run an electric generator?

=References=

* ''Bicycling Science'' by David Gordon Wilson
* ''Bicycle Design: An Illustrated History'' by Tony Hadland and Hans-Erhard Lessing

Recumbent Bike

2022-05-11T12:56:45Z

WillAdams:

=About=
*{{check}}'''Top page on recumbents - including brands for each type. [https://renekmueller.com/recumbents]
*{{check}}'''Good info on moving bottom bracket, and pro/con of FWD-MBB design (can use upper body to assist drive)''' - [https://cruzbike.com/pages/how-to-choose-the-best-recumbent-road-bicycle]
*Why are Recumbents not as popular? Outside of being banned in races - ''having a bike that can be climbed and sprinted at low RPM nearly as effectively as DF (non-recumbent) bike is only part of a problem of 'ending bikeism'.'' - fascinating technical thread - [http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=132446]
*Recumbents are banned from bike racing competitions because they outperform the rest [https://wheretheroadforks.com/types-of-recumbent-bikes/#wheelbase]
*Self-stability in bikes - fascinating video on front wheel drive [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4mbT3ozcA]
*World record in human-powered speed - 87 mph - is held by a recumbent [https://www.sciencealert.com/this-bike-just-broke-the-record-for-human-powered-travel-speeds]
**257W at 100 km/h!

<html><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BC5KIFHd5Ao?start=228" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
*History of recumbent bikes [https://bicycleman.com/history-recumbent-bike/] and its politics [https://daily.jstor.org/who-killed-the-recumbent-bicycle/].
**Fascinating story of a faster and more comfortable bike languishing behind industry standards - for 100 years and remaining fringe today.
*Terms - bent bike is 'bent bike - or recumbent bike.

=Types=
*Lowracer - Barcroft: Oregon - [https://www.lightningbikes.com/store/index.html#!/Bikes/c/30267620 Lightning]. [http://www.challengebikes.com/brochures.php Challenge] Walter Zorn:Kreuzotter V5 Optima:Baron, X-Low, Cobra M5: Titanium Low Racer, Carbon Low Racer Velokraft: NoCom (No Compromise)
*Highracer - ActionBent: HiRacer, Attack, Bacchetta: Giro 26, Giro 26 ATT, Strada, Corsa Corsa 24, Corsa S/S, Carbon Aero 2.0 and Ti Aero RANS: Force 5, Force 5 Pro, Enduro Volae: Club, Expedition and Sport.
*Midracer - ActionBent: Mustang, Rans: X-Stream, Fujin: Tour Challenge: Hurricane 2009, Furai
*High Bottom Bracket refers to height of bottom bracket above seat

=Ergonomics=
*High BB v low - [https://www.jetrike.com/ergonomics.html]

=Sourcing=
*Craigslist - Vision $500 - [https://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/d/omaha-vision-recumbent-under-steer/7479253327.html]
*New - $2650 - [https://lightfootcycles.com/products/performer-x-low-low-racer-recumbent-bike?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1N2TBhCOARIsAGVHQc7EIekA8HaoWD1gFPSu7lM7t33xn5vJwOJqfTWx3c2mpDWqhX2rOXMaAsVmEALw_wcB]
*'''Bike Barn''' - [https://www.thebikebarn.com/recumbent.html]. [https://bicycleman.com/rans-force-5-dual-650-recumbent-bike/ Rans Force 5]. [https://www.basicallybicycles.com/articles/featured-recumbent-bike-rans-x-stream-pg217.htm Rans X-Stream]. [https://bicycleman.com/volae-club-recumbent-bike/ Volae Club]
*Liberty - [https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/recumbent?_q=recumbent&map=ft]
*Terratrike - [https://www.bikekc.com/product-list/bikes-1000/other-1037/recumbent-1040/?sort=relevance]
*Sunseeker - [https://www.cappsbikeshop.com/product-list/bikes-1000/other-1037/recumbent-1040/?sort=relevance]
*Trident TWIG - [https://www.cypbikes.com/bike-detail?id=27]. Azub and HP Velotechnik. Trident makes lower cost recumbent trikes.
*Low racer recumbent - [https://www.performercycles.com/recumbent-bikes/low-racer-recumbent-20-inch-16-inch/]
*High racer recumbent - [https://www.performercycles.com/high-racer-700c/]
==Long==
*Linear - $3k - [https://linearrecumbent.com/bikes/folding-limo/]
==Short==
*Turner Recumbents T-Lite1 [https://www.turnerrecumbents.com/products/]. $1400. Reviews - [https://products.roadbikereview.com/product/2003-bikes/2003-recumbent-bike/turner-enterprises/t-lite-basic.html]
*ZOX 20 low - [https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-20/zox-20-low/]. Check out their S and Z frames - they look sensible for simplicity - [https://www.zoxbikes.com/zox-20/zox-20-z-frame/]. This is FWD (front wheel drive), non MBB (moving bottom bracket).

==Moving Bottom Bracket and Front Wheel Drive==
*About - see diagram of geometry types - [http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=78986]
*Cruzbike - [https://cruzbike.com/products/t50]
*Discussion on FWD - [https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/front-wheel-drive-and-why-it-fails-the-stability-when-you-most-need-it-test.7208/] - it appears it is ok but some don't like it

=How to Design=
*Ergonomics - [https://www.jetrike.com/ergonomics.html]. Note: images are available, need to 'copy image URL' and view in a different window.
*12 steps for great handling - [http://bikesmithdesign.com/Design/12steps.html]
*Bottom bracket (BB) height - if high, less wind resistance - [80% of riders effort is used to overcome wind resistance at 32 kph (20 mph.) To reduce the frontal area, you want the riders body to present as small an area from the front as possible. By having the BB and therefore the legs, above the riders butt, you achieve that.]

=Plans=
*Lowracer recumbent - [https://www.atomiczombie.com/marauder-lowracer-diy-plan/]

=References=

* ''Bicycling Science'' by David Gordon Wilson
* ''Bicycle Design: An Illustrated History'' by Tony Hadland and Hans-Erhard Lessing

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T22:21:49Z

WillAdams: /* Blender */

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No native CAD functionality so it is directly suited to CAD use, though there are: [https://sourceforge.net/projects/blendercad/ BlenderCAD], and https://www.cadsketcher.com/ [https://hackaday.com/2022/04/27/cad-sketcher-its-parametric-cad-for-blender/#comment-6470240] --- though it can be used for very basic prototyping, and is useful for rendering and animation.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Can be difficult to use for complex models which are not mathematically obvious.
::https://cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad-dimensioned-drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[[Sweet Home 3D]]===

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T16:22:06Z

WillAdams: /* Blender */

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No native CAD functionality so it is directly suited to CAD use, though there is: [https://sourceforge.net/projects/blendercad/ BlenderCAD], though it can be used for very basic prototyping, and is useful for rendering and animation.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Can be difficult to use for complex models which are not mathematically obvious.
::https://cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad-dimensioned-drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[[Sweet Home 3D]]===

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T16:21:26Z

WillAdams: /* Blender */

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No native CAD functionality so it is directly suited to CAD use, though there is: [BlenderCAD https://sourceforge.net/projects/blendercad/], though it can be used for very basic prototyping, and is useful for rendering and animation.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Can be difficult to use for complex models which are not mathematically obvious.
::https://cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad-dimensioned-drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[[Sweet Home 3D]]===

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T16:08:07Z

WillAdams: /* OpenSCAD */ note on complexity, correct link

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No CAD functionality so it is not suited to CAD use, though it can be used for very basic prototyping.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Can be difficult to use for complex models which are not mathematically obvious.
::https://cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad-dimensioned-drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[[Sweet Home 3D]]===

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T16:05:10Z

WillAdams: /* Closed Source, Free */ moving ===Sweet Home 3D=== from the opensource section.

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No CAD functionality so it is not suited to CAD use, though it can be used for very basic prototyping.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Unsuitable for complex models.
::http://www.cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad_dimensioned_drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[[Sweet Home 3D]]===

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

List of CAD Programs

2022-05-07T16:04:25Z

WillAdams: /* Open Source */ ===Sweet Home 3D=== not opensource

{{CADTemplate}}
==Overview==
See [[CAD Discussion]] and [[CAD (Computer Aided Design)|CAD]]

Here are some open source options for [[CAD]]. Because the open-source options for CAD are rather limited (there are currently no good open source parametric 3D CAD programs), significant closed-source programs are also listed at the end.

==Open Source==
Overview of some key ones -

<html><iframe width="460" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1yJgDTcuaOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[[OpenPLM]]===
Tracking of designs by modules, lifecycle product management.

===[[Wings 3D]]===

===[[Antimony]]===

===[[Blender]]===
* Mesh-based direct modelling. Not parametric.
* Focused on artistic 3D modelling and animation.
* No CAD functionality so it is not suited to CAD use, though it can be used for very basic prototyping.

===[[FreeCAD]]===
* The most promising open source 3D-CAD software by far, but still has some way to go. The recently (Nov. 2013) added assembly module is a decisive step forward allowing productive work. [http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.ch/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html]
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Feature-based, parametric, with 2D sketch input with constraint solver.
* Based on OpenCasCade and Coin3D (an implementation of Open Inventor).
* Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
* Supports brep, nurbs, booleans operations or fillets.
* "A modular architecture that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as python scripts or self-recorded macros."
* Built-in python interpreter for macros and scripts.
* Import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, U3D or STL.
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v14 in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Th3mdCUYbY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
<br/> Here is an example of FreeCAD v0.15 with Assembly2 module in 2015:
<br/><html><iframe width="512" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUb05Uo8a8U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

===[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFP5pBpk-kY&ebc=ANyPxKrLIvR6Zdn0n-dgx1Kq4KRzf4F8N4S5xbmLMhsKBDF6d69fAzbcmXhql1pHkgoBcS7eiARlFv-aOgyxZXhC9dRVgsLWKg gCAD+]===
*2D garden design
*GPL

===[http://www.artofillusion.org/ Art of Illusion]===
* Focused on animation
* Import from OBJ STL SVG SVZ export to POV OBJ STL

===[http://www.salome-platform.org/ Salomé]===
* Focused on numerical simulation, but can apparently also edit CAD data.

===[http://brlcad.org/ BRL-CAD]===
* BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform open source solid modeling system that includes interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing for rendering and geometric analysis, image and signal-processing tools, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, libraries for robust geometric representation, with more than 20 years of active development. Operating Systems: All major platforms.
* Focused on analysis, rather than modelling (specifically ballistics research).
* CSG-based - models are built via combinations of basic shapes like spheres and cones, rather than extruded from arbitrary sketches.
* Very old code base.
* Actively developed.

===[http://avocado-cad.sourceforge.net/ avoCADo]===
* Abandoned since 2008.

===[[QCad]] Community Edition===
* Available only as [ftp://anonymous:anonymous@ribbonsoft.com/archives/qcad/qcad-2.0.5.0-1-community.src.tar.gz source code]
* [http://www.ribbonsoft.com/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=237 How to get support for the QCad Community Edition?]
* 2D only.
* Frustrating UI.

===[http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD]===
* [http://librecad.org/cms/home.html LibreCAD] is a fork of the QCad Community Edition
* Available for Linux, OSX and Windows
* The 1.0.0 series is still based on QT3
* The forthcoming 2.0.0 series is based on QT4

===[http://openscad.org/ OpenSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Uses CSG ([[wikipedia:constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]]) internally and can generate STL but also *import* STL (and use CSG on the resulting model). It also can read 2D designs in DXF and extrude parts of it into the 3rd dimension ([[wikipedia:extrusion|extrusion]] can be linear or on different paths, so you can make, e.g., a torus by extruding a circle on a circular path).
* Suitable for very simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* Unsuitable for complex models.
::http://www.cannymachines.com/entries/9/openscad_dimensioned_drawings

===[https://openjscad.xyz/ JSCAD]===
* Procedural script-based CAD
* Inspired by OpenSCAD, but uses JavaScript instead of a proprietary language.
* Browser based. Plays nice with the huge JavaScript open source ecosystem.
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.

===[http://www.implicitcad.org/ ImplicitCAD]===
* Procedural script-based 3D-CAD similar to OpenSCAD (there is no editor GUI).
* Can generate STL and SVG and GCode files
* Suitable for simple shapes which benefit from being parametrically defined, e.g. gears, fasteners, wheels, etc.
* better suitable for more complex models than OpenSCAD.

===[http://www.pythonocc.org pythonOCC]===
* Object oriented script-based 3D-CAD (there is an editor [http://www.pythonocc.org/community/related_projects/pycado/ GUI]).
* based on Open CASCADE. It can handle STEP (AP203 and AP214), IGES, STL (ascii/binary) and VRML.
* It has parametric design, extrude/revolve/sweep as well as boolean operations, FE-meshing, rigid body simulation, but no 2D-drawing capability.
* Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OSX or Windows.
* The scripting commands are simple and powerful. As in openSCAD and FreeCAD the python scripts would allow for distributed version control to easily organize community collaboration with existing tools (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_%28software%29 git] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurial mercurial] and free public [https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/GitHosting git-hosting]). Draw back is the lack of 2D-drawing capability.

===[http://code.google.com/p/heekscad/ HeeksCAD]===
* Development halted.
* Use the geometric constraints solver to create accurate drawings from rough sketches
* Solid modeling is provided by Open CASCADE

===[http://heeks.net/ HeeksCNC]===
* CAD/CAM application written in Python that can help you produce the NC code for your [[milling machine]].

===[http://www.opencascade.org OpenCASCADE]===
* Open CASCADE Technology is software development platform freely available in open source. It includes components for 3D surface and solid modeling, visualization, data exchange and rapid application development. Operating Systems: Linux, Sun Sparc, or Windows.
* Seems too ''clunky'' without a better GUI.

===[http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA]===
* [http://www.cademia.org/frontend/index.php?folder_id=251 CADEMIA] is a modern CAD system with a full functionality for civil engineering and architecture.
* 2D only, focused on architecture.
* It is written in Java and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux
* Open source
* It is available in English and German

==Closed Source, Free==

===[http://www.ptc.com/products/creo-elements-direct/modeling-express/ PTC Creo Elements Direct Modelling Express 4.0]===
* Ridiculous name.
* Limited to something like 50 parts per assembly. I believe that is the only limitation of the free version.
* Direct extrusion-based modelling, similar to Sketchup but much more powerful.
* Probably the best free CAD on Windows.
* Windows only. Sort of runs in wine, but not usably (crashes often, UI flickers).

===[http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp]===
* Focused on architectural sketching.
* Free, but not open source, works in linux under Wine. See [[Sketchup on Linux]] for installation notes.
* Direct modelling. Not parametric, and does not allow changing dimensions to exact values.
* Better than Blender, but still not really suitable for CAD.

===[https://www.onshape.com/ Onshape]===
* Parametric modelling.
* Modern usable UI.
* Online tool.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design.
* Developed by ex-solidworks guys.

===[http://www.artifice.com/free/dw_lite.html DesignWorkshop Lite]===
* Only Windows & Mac versions
* For home design and visualization of architecture, landscapes, exhibits, urban design, or any kind of spatial design

===[http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software/ DraftSight]===
* Good AutoCAD compatibility.
* Focused on 2D drafting, very little 3D support.

===[http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]===
* free but closed sourced 3D CAD/CAM system
* parametrized, scriptable
* CNC processor
* Linux, Windows OS

===[http://www.varicad.de/de/home/ VariCAD]===
* low priced (~600$) full featured 3D/2D CAD
* free viewer available for VariCAD and STEP files
* integrated calculation tools for springs, bolt preloading etc.
* STEP I/O and much more
* Linux, Windows OS
* partially applied on GVCS backhoe and trencher (use OSE Wiki search)

==Closed Source, Expensive==

===[http://www.solidworks.com/ Solidworks]===
* Extremely popular and powerful history-based parametric 3D CAD.
* Modern usable UI.
* Price in the £1000-range.
* Windows only. Can be started in wine, but not usable.
* Focused on mechanical engineering and product design. Not suited to architecture.

===[http://www.ptc.com/ Pro Engineer]===
* Main competitor to Solidworks.
* Used to run on Linux natively, new versions are Windows-only. The last Linux version was Pro/E Wildfire 4
* Archaic Motif GUI.
* Modelling paradigm essentially identical to Solidworks.
* Now known as "Creo Elements/Pro" (I'm unsure if it is based on the same code as Pro/E was).

===SolidEdge===
* Solidworks competitor from Siemens.
* Parametric feature-based modelling.
* Windows only.
* Has a free 2D drafting option

===Autodesk Inventor===
* Another solidworks competitor.
* Windows only.

===AutoCAD===
* Originally 2D-only and it shows.
* More architecturally-focused than Solidworks and Pro/E.
* Originator of the DXF format.
* Used to be the industry standard. Much less so today.

===[http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ NX]===

* Super high-end CAD from Siemens.
* Very similar to Solidworks. If you have used one it will not take long to learn the other.
* Price is "it doesn't matter if you ask or not - you can't afford it". This is what they use to design nuclear submarines.
* As a result, Googling for help is no use.
* Runs on Linux natively.

==Electronics CAD==

===Open Source===
* [http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ KiCAD]
* [http://www.gpleda.org Gnu Electronic Design Automation] tools.

===Closed Source===
* Eagle. Terrible terrible UI.
* DesignSpark from RS. Looks much much better than Eagle, KiCAD, and GEDA.

==See Also==
* [[CAD by Mariano Alvira]]
* [[SKDB]]
* Discussion on [http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190224.html CAD options] for Ubuntu
* [[3D file viewer]]
* [http://www.freecad.com/ FreeCAD] and [http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm], directories of free CAD, CAM and CAE programs
* Printed Circuit Board Routing Software: http://www.freerouting.net/
* [http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ Quite Universal Circuit Simulator]
* [[p2p-foundation: Open Source CAD Applications]]
* [http://www.rendercity.com/ Rendercity], an online Radiance rendering service. One rendering job at a time, for free, at resolutions up to 768 x 768 pixels
* DraftSight - 2D drafting with dimensioning. [http://www.draftsight.com]

=Links=
*[[Open Source CAD Programs]]
[[Category: Software]]
[[Category: CAD]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]