this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2024
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3DPrinting

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I liked Fusion 360, I like Onshape - but I'd rather like something that I won't lose over the whims of one company. So, what? (feddit.org)
submitted 9 months ago by the_fourth@feddit.org to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
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I am not a design draftsman, I'm not an engineer. My workflow is usually: I put something on the scanner, load the calibrated scan, trace the outline, throw a few sketches on various planes in there, round a few edges, print it and I'm done.

Fusion 360 scratches that itch very well but requires me to keep a Windows VM and also their free model felt more and more unusable. OnShape is a nice substitute that works fine for me, but I don't like the "free or 1500€/year" approach. Without a middle ground subscription for makers it feels that I could lose anything the second their energy prices for servers go up or something.

The list of CAD software is exhaustive, so I am looking for recommendations that fit my "eh, click, click, click, good enough" workflow. FreeCAD is way too unintiuitive for that. I have tried getting into it, but 3D printing is a tool for me and the learning curve quickly made using it another hobby.

So. Suggestions welcome. Scalding criticism about my lack of enthusiasm and consumer mentality not so much, but I guess that comes bundled with useful advice, so, eh, I'll take it.

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[–] BastingChemina@slrpnk.net 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm in the same boat but with semi professional needs.

I have not found any alternative yet to Onshape that works on linux.

I'm trying FreeCAD and derivatives from time to time but it really feels like a serious step backwards.

[–] DrM@feddit.de 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I really hope that FreeCAD will get better with time, and the Blender story will be the same for FreeCAD. Just a few years back, Blender was really bad compared with Maya, now Autodesk lost a huge market because Blender is powerful enough for professional work, probably even better than Maya

[–] Funwayguy@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm really hoping FreeCAD gets the Blender treatment. ONDSEL is already pushing it pretty far, but once extensibility is more robust and the new user experience improved, I believe that'll be the tipping point.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Oh man "extensibility" in FreeCAD. The documentation is non-existent, is the main problem. It's just about impossible to understand how anything works, it's like trying to figure out how to run a battleship by turning cranks and seeing what they do.

[–] Funwayguy@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

My point exactly. If FreeCAD refines that framework and documents it well, community plugin support could drive many new features and quality of life improvements into the main branch.