alt Hacker News(I’ve posted this before on HN but it’s worth repeating)
I’m an CAD hobbyist, and I’ve tried to work with FreeCAD multiple times over past years, always failing….
…until I saw this video and learned about version 1.1:
FreeCAD is now in the same ballpark of capability and usability as Solidworks. It can still be a bit clunky and frustrating sometimes, but then so can most CAD programs, in their own ways.
Side note: the creator of the video above also has a video on optimising the FreeCAD interface. (There are some frustrations related to the interface generally, and this would seem to be a low hanging fruit for the FreeCAD team to address.)
Replies
Awesome, thanks for repeating.
I have, like, an old married couple relationship with SolidWorks. Stockholm syndrome may be more accurate. It shaped how I think, it aggravates me as only a long-time companion could, but overall I'm fond of it.
It gives me hope that others have made the switch. I've wanted to love FreeCAD for a long time, too.
In terms of ux as a beginner what made me able to learn effectively was a command palette add-on (outlined here)[0].
It really sped up learning for me. (because I'd know what the thing I wanted was called, but couldn't find them, and having to google and search before every click is... not fun)
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47088675