![]() This process has been proven even in very large open SW projects like the Linux Kernel. Only the files which have changed would need to be distributed. In the best case sub-assemblies could be filled in different source files and sub-directories just like in open SW development. with existing distributed version control software like git or mercurial. Since these CAD scripts are text they can be managed like software source code e.g. But as in the so-called build-system of SW development you might keep the locally compiled object code (single 3D-geometry-objects) in separate files such that only the changed objects and depending ones have to be recompiled. The actual CAD tool would act like a compiler or interpreter by locally turning the source code into 3D-geometry-data. The scripting command language should be standardised rather than the 3D-geometry-data formats. This should be distributed, collected and version controlled not the geometry data. The scripts creating the 3D-geometry-data are the source code. ![]() In 3D-CAD the source code corresponds to the sequence of commands that created the 3D-geometry-data. ![]() However in open SW projects they manage source code and its changes not executables for good reasons. In terms of SW development 3D-geometry-data corresponds to compiled executables. ![]() These files are bulky, difficult to share over the internet and contain only dumb 3D data without parametrization etc. And the most often used transfer formats like STEP and IGES also contain 3D-geometry-data. This is not in existence as of now (end of 2013) and therefore also no large crowd development can be happening.Ĭurrent CAD files save the 3D-geometry-data. If you want more than a few people join in the development (crowd development) then you need a tailored free and open source HW development tool-chain which also allows easy model distribution and easy change management. Important is what the OSE project and most other open mechanical HW projects really need. Discussing the features of existing CAD SW will not do. It is sad to see the inspiring open-HW-movement dragging along designing 3D-geometry with inadequate tools like blender or sketchup. This is what we need badly right now for the OS movement in general. We're talking about basic modeling before one goes out to buy supplies. The goal is: if you can draw a design, you can see the details of how things fit together, and you can draw up a BOM and fabrication procedure for that. We are looking for a simple drawing tool that has robust visualization features a la doing prototyping on the computer screen rather than in physical space, like Jeremy did on Sawmill wiki page with Blender. Worth a try, and it runs on Mac too.įrom a cursory view, AvoCADo appears to be best. Yet, some evalution (using Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10) shows that it is capable of doing some pretty complex solid geometry operations (without all of the command line interface). Mailing lists are here but I do not follow them so do not know if they are currently active.Īlso, avaCADo is a very simple one that is based more on drawing (although with scant documentation). Let them know who you are and your project and they will probably be interested in helping you. documentation is here and tutorials can help.Īlso, get an IRC client and check yourself in to irc:///#brlcad if you run into questions you can ask the actual people that program it. I would say that it would be more than worth the time invested to learn this will put tremendous power to design into your hands. What kind of computer are you going to be using (Mac, Linux?) While OpenCascade seems easier to me, the consensus among people working in open design is There is going to be a steep learning curve with any open source CAD (or even commercial CAD for that matter). Much of the drawing done in both happens by way of command line input as opposed to computer mouse drawing. OpenCascade does have CAD, and so does BRL-CAD. But, not good for CAD/CAM programming, as it draws in vectors, and not in constructive solid geometry, which is what is needed to give you the details of dimensions of what you are drawing. See also CAD Tools Discussion from Sam Roseīlender is OK for sketching.
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