Useful Software Packages
This is the palace to put details of software packages that are useful for RepRap (like CAD programs), but that are not part of the RepRap project itself. Give a paragraph or so of explanation on each package and a link to its home page. Please also say what platforms it runs on, what licence it is distributed under, and whether it is free.
Contents
Mechanical CAD software
Archimedes
Brasilian 3D package. Apparently became orphanware in 2007.
Art of Illusion
Art of Illusion (AoI) is a 3D graphics design tool, but it is good for engineering design too. It has a very easy and quick-to-learn user interface. The AoI homepage is here. There is also a RepRap page on using it for engineering design. AoI is written in Java, runs on Linux, Windows or Mac, and is freely available under the GPL.
AutoQ3D
AutoQ3D Animation is an easy 3D CAD with animation capabilities. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning 3D CAD and Animation before using more sophisticated packages.
Blender
Blender was originally intended for the same applications as AoI. It may be more powerful than AoI, but its user interface is harder to learn. The Blender homepage is here. Blender is written in Python, runs on Linux, Windows or Mac, and is freely available under the GPL.
BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD is a 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. The BRL-CAD homepage is here. BRL-CAD runs on BSD, Irix, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and Windows. BRL-CAD became an open source project in 2004, with portions licensed under the LGPL and BSD licenses.
CoCreate
CoCreate Modeling Personal Edition is free for non-professional use. It is limited to 60 parts in one design and can only save designs in its own proprietary format, but it can export STL and VRML. It is Windows only and needs an internet connection every three days. Apparently, very easy to use. {content abstracted from Hydraraptor}
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is still under development, but it is intended to be a full 3D mechanical engineering CAD package. The FreeCAD homepage is here. FreeCAD is based on OpenCasCade, QT and Python, runs on Linux and Windows, and is freely available under the GPL and LGPL.
QCAD
QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in two dimensions (2D). The QCAD homepage is here. With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schemas and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, Mac OS X and many Linux and Unix Systems. The source code of the free QCAD community edition is released under the GPL.
Software for dealing with STL files
MeshLab
An open source, portable, and extensible system for the processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes. It also has an as yet unexploited object slicing routine which is extremely quick.
CAD software for electronics
Eagle
Proprietary app with a reduced capabilities freeware version.
KiCAD
An open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork.
Stripboard Designer 1.0
Open source app written in freeware Visual Basic 2008 Express for Wintel machines
