[TriLUG] Linux - Which CAD program(s)?

[Brian Henning via TriLUG]

FreeCAD is still pre-version-1.0, but it's already very capable (with some important exceptions*).  I use it a great deal for designing parts for 3D printing.

That said, I have not done much in the way of modifying STL files with it.  I know it's possible, but (as you may know) STLs are plain meshes, so you won't have any of the original construction information.  I don't know how handy FreeCAD is with editing plain meshes.

That said, you may want to check out Blender.  I have used Blender for STL mesh editing to great effect (I mean, it's a mesh editor!).  The learning curve for the UI is a bit steep, but there are very good tutorials available, and once you get the hang of it, you can be very efficient.

Carl, what's the approximate volume of your object and what are your material/color requirements?  If your object is FDM-printable and if I have materials that meet your needs, I might be willing to undercut wherever you were going to send it.. :-)

-B

* - FreeCAD's assembly features are sadly still in the early planning phases, so you'll have to do without kinematic modeling and exploded diagrams.

-----Original Message-----
From: TriLUG [mailto:trilug-bounces+bhenning=pineinst.com at trilug.org] On Behalf Of Scott Chilcote via TriLUG
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 8:06 AM
To: C TC <c.crider at gmail.com>; Triangle Linux Users Group General Discussion <trilug at trilug.org>
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] Linux - Which CAD program(s)?

On 06/25/2016 11:46 AM, C TC via TriLUG wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a couple of STL files from thingiverse that I'd like to modify.
> Would appreciate some software suggestions for those in the know.
> Will be using either my Mint or CentOS systems. Of course, I can use a 
> VM of any flavor, should someone suggest it. Planning to send out for 
> 3D printing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> ~Carl

I had to read this a couple of times to stop thinking it meant Standard Template Library.
I've never tried this, but it might be usable. 
http://www.freecadweb.org/   Looks like it's still pretty early.
Linux versions are here
<https://launchpad.net/%7Efreecad-maintainers/+archive/ubuntu/freecad-stable>.

  Scott C.

--
Scott Chilcote
scottchilcote at ncrrbiz.com
Cary, NC USA

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