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GatoB@lemmy.world

Looking For Decent Parametric CAD Software for Linux (lemm.ee)

submitted 4 days ago by jrgd@lemm.ee to c/softwareoptions@lemmy.world

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As per the title. Posting this right after Ondsel yet again catastrophically destroying a smaller, but mid-complexity multi-part assembly. As such, FreeCAD and Ondsel are non-starters due to the amount of detrimental bugs. I have used SolveSpace for a short time, but it lacks many features (chamfer, fillet tools as base examples).

I have looked into OpenSCAD previously, but decided learning the scripting language wasn't worth the time. Perhaps with other FOSS options running out, it's time to give it a fair try. If it's CAD kernel is particularly reliable and it has some way to interchange sets of defined parameters like FreeCAD's Configuration Tables, OpenSCAD may be a clear winner.

To note at this point, I am not opposed to using or purchasing proprietary software, as long as the Linux support isn't half-assed and the price is reasonable (no subscriptions, having a lifetime license for personal/small-time commercial under ~$400 USD per seat).

If anyone has suggestions, or better yet has used something that might fit what I am looking for, I'd love to hear about it.

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[–] MrBadApple@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I use OpenSCAD extensively for production work. I picked it specifically for the ease of defining my own parameters (variables) and how quickly I can modify the values. I'm sure other tools do it as well, but being able to make lengthy calculations that include several other parameters which may themselves be based on additional parameters makes it's perfect for my use. This allows me to make a single update for the thickness of each batch of material and have the entire multi part design updated and ready to be sent to production.

Once you start thinking of it as a programming script (because it is) it becomes pretty easy to produce complex CAD models. Check out the cheat sheet, it's a good resource that lists all the commands and structures at a glance.

[–] jrgd@lemm.ee 1 points 4 days ago

I did a bit of digging into the feature search for OpenSCAD. I noticed things like bezier curves, lofted surfaces aren't native functions in OpenSCAD, but individual users have made helper libraries for defining such surface features. Is there a shortlist or general repository for premade helper libraries for use with OpenSCAD?