CAD Software Suggestion
CAD Software Suggestion
I am currently on win10 but have been toying with mint and liking it. I intend on fully switching over soon. I have also been toying with the idea of some simple 3D modeling, like making custom parts for projects around my house. Maybe using a CAD software to generate stls for a 3D print or using it to spec out parts for a design made out of aluminum extrusion (like 8020) little things like that. I was thinking about getting a solidworks hobbyist license for 45 a year but solidworks doesn't support Linux. I could keep a Windows dual boot HDD, but fuck that. Any suggestions on a CAD software that fits? Have a gaming PC with a 3060 and some beefy hardware.
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I know that there is a large difference between CAD and general 3D modeling, but I've designed all my custom 3D printed parts in Blender and have had zero issues with fitment or scaling.
Yup, it really depends on if you want to specifically get experience with CAD or have a working thing in your hand. Blender is perfectly capable of working in scale and is how I’ve designed / printed anything custom with perfect results.
I was just posting in another thread about how I remade the armrest of my Traveler Guitar to be more comfortable. The one it comes with is super uncomfortable to me, so I redesigned it to be shaped more like a Squier. Images here .
All I really needed was some cardboard, some calipers, and Blender. Though, to get the measurements just so, I had to make a bunch of little virtual rulers (the yellow strips). In CAD, you wouldn't need those since the measurements are described directly in the process of making the part.
Use freeCAD as it will be easier
Unless you have a graphics background and no CAD experience. In which case, Blender will be far easier.
It might be easier in the short term. However, long term you should use cad. Blender isn't for video editing or cad work.
I disagree with the overall substance of your argument.
Sure, if you've already designed something on paper and want to feed numbers in and get a part, CAD is clearly superior. I don't work that way.
I will use (and recommend) the tools that have the least friction for me. I would not increase the time and headache to complete a project just because someone else thinks another workflow is better. I don't need CAD because 3D printing tolerances are not that tight. Some people need/want CAD because that's the only kind of tool they've used to make 3D objects, and that's low friction for them. That's cool too.
I'm suggesting Blender here in case someone (OP or a passer-by) hadn't considered it, and didn't realize that it's up to the task of creating 3D printable objects. It definitely can, I've done it dozens of times, even with matching measurements against existing parts (which - it occurs to me now - is most of what I've done).
Also, I exclusively use Blender VSE for video editing. Mostly because it's the best free/open-source option I've tried, and I don't need to add another tool to my workflow. I never really liked the Adobe suite, and most non-adobe tools try to cosplay as them. It's a lesser form of a thing I already didn't like.