I’ve finally reached a brick wall where I can’t just find something on Printables/Thingiverse that I can modify for my use case. Until now, I’ve been able to find something close and use OrcaSlicer to make small adjustments or occasionally kit bash two models together.
Now, it seems, I need to design something from scratch.
I’ve had Blender recommended, but I just cannot make sense of it no matter how many Youtube videos make it look so easy.
I’ve also got FreeCAD installed but am still getting my bearings and nothing has come of it yet.
So, recommendations? The only limitations are that it has to run on Linux and not be a cloud service. I’m willing to pay for a license if need be but no SaaS or having to fight with Wine to get it going.
You must log in or # to comment.
Blender and FreeCAD.
Blender for organic, sculpted shapes.
FreeCAD for parametric, accurate parts.
CAD Sketcher is a free and open-source project that adds constraint-based sketching and parametric modeling to Blender.
I wouldn’t recommend Blender for anything that needs to have accurate dimensions, as it is a pain to get things right, even with the “CAD” addon.
FreeCAD seems great, but the UI and UX are horrendous. It’s a steep learning curve.
If you have any coding experience, I recommend giving OpenSCAD a look, like mentioned in another comment. I believe most of the older Prusa printer parts were designed on it.
If you have any coding experience, I recommend giving OpenSCAD
That’s certainly an interesting way to go about it lol. That said, I read through the tutorial and honestly I’m gonna give it a try. The syntax doesn’t look too awful and doing it in code seems like it would allow for easy precision and also eliminates having to learn the UI of FreeCAD which I agree is absolutely horrendous.
Thanks.
Also, if you’re making raspberry pi enclosures as I think I read in the comments, there is this library that has pre-modeled rpis to use as a reference: https://github.com/nophead/NopSCADlib
Nice. A lot more than RPis, too.
This is actually for a Banana Pi but it’s in the Pi Zero form factor so should be easy to modify.
Dune3D is a relatively new 3D CAD for Linux. https://docs.dune3d.org/en/latest/ I haven’t tried it, but it looks very promising.
Personally, I use FreeCAD, which is leagues better than it used to be, and improving quickly
This Dunes looks very similar to FreeCAD in workflow.
I’ve been looking for something to replace Sketchup, this looks promising. bonus it runs on Linux!
thanks!
Given your requirements of no cloud, no SaaS, and running in Linux you have already arrived at the correct two choices, depending on what you’re trying to model.
I am a diehard FreeCAD user, and I would say just stick with it until you are able to build what you’re trying to build. Via the expedient of Noodling Around With It I’m now proficient enough to do everything I personally want to do with FreeCAD, i.e. using its part design tools and studiously avoiding all of the other workbenches I have no use case for.
Well, switching the mouse navigation mode got me further and less frustrating than before, so progress I suppose! The default “CAD” navigation was hell to use with my trackball since the DPI button is right below the wheel and wheel + button to free rotate the model was just awkward on so many levels. OpenCascade seems to be the sweet spot.
I’ll stick with it. Was just hoping there was something more for dummies like me lol.
Look up Mango Jelly on youtube for excellent tutorials on FreeCAD use. He has extensive videos to learn from.
Freecad is horrible in terms of ux, but otherwise very powerful and worth the time investment, IMO. Keep at it, I think it will pay off for you in the long run.
The UX is getting better In addons search for the Open Light or Open Dark themes and install them. The 1.1 RC are far smoother to use.
For me I’m a big fan the of Pie Menu addon. I can create custom pie menus as needed with the tools I want. It allows fast working with the tools I mostly use right at the point of work.
