FreeCAD
Release status: WIP
FreeCAD is a general purpose feature-based, parametric 3D modeler for CAD, MCAD, CAx, CAE and PLM, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits a wider range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties. It is 100% Open Source and extremely modular, allowing for very advanced extension and customization. FreeCAD is based on OpenCasCade, a powerful geometry kernel, features an Open Inventor-compliant 3D scene representation model provided by the Coin 3D library, and a broad Python API. The interface is built with Qt. FreeCAD runs exactly the same way on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux platforms. more here...
tl;dr:
Do you wonder how to design & create useful objects of your own, but think OpenSCAD have a too steep learningcurve and SketchUp lacks Freedom?
FreeCAD can definitely be a good starting point! Although FreeCAD is in development but it is quite useful even at this point.
That being said, there are a few bugs and remember saving your work!
As always; learning new things may seem daunting, but remember those dreams of yours and keep RepRaps philosophy close at heart!
It is also useful for amongst other things:
· Export/import of different format; such as IGES & STEP -> .stl. Such as the Free cellphone Neo Freerunners case files.
· Export/import of CSG (read OpenSCAD). See their respective export & import-threads. (WIP)
There are several helpful resources just clicks away:
· Getting started
· FreeCAD's Forum
· IRC: #freecad. (chat)
Contents
Designs made with FreeCAD
Thingiverse-tag: FreeCAD
Tutorials
· FreeCAD's own Tutorial pages.
Youtube
Beginner
· TurboTute - Pockets & Pads.
Gives you an idea just how easy it can be to build a object in FreeCAD.
Series
Designing a bicycle
Avid Free software user 5needinput has made this series of Designing a bicycle.
Python Scripting
· FreeCADs Python scripting tutorial.
