deskthority

Hi,
I just wondered, whether somebody knows a good open source 3D CAD software.
I participated in a workshop about SolidWorks once, but I would prefer to have an open-source software for some occasional projects. It also needs to run on Linux, and should be relatively easy to use (for somebody who can use SolidWorks e.g.)

I stumbled upon OpenCASCADE, but never really found much information about it.

Never used it, or any CAD program but isn't KiCAD supposed to be a good program. You would have too pull in KDE/QT dependencies though.

KiCAD is only for PCB design, for PCBs I use eagle. I would need a CAD software for designing cases, and stuff like that.

Sorry. As I said I didn't know.

What about this http://librecad.org/cms/home.html

Don't be sorry, I appreciate that you try to help. LibreCAD is only 2D as well.

you have two options depending on what you want to do:

- FreeCAD - http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/f ... /index.php - This is an actual CAD, meaning that it aims at precision. Think engineering, architecture, etc.
- Blender - http://www.blender.org/ - Is a 3D modelling application, meaning that it is more geared towards digital sculpting. Think animated films, artwork, etc.

Both are very mature. Your biggest problem is likely to be importing files, since the CAD world is littered with proprietary formats.

Blender is an awesome program in several fields, but it is not a CAD program at all. I am sorry to say that I believe that all free CAD software suck. There are some CAM software that aren't terrible, but unfortunately no CAD.