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.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    7 months ago

    Probably better starting on FreeCAD as a beginner because if you have experience with other CAD packages, using FreeCAD requires a major paradigm shift. I started a newbie friend on it with no other experience, and he’s way further ahead on it than I am, because I just can’t wrap my head around it with my preconceptions of CAD.

    • BastingChemina@slrpnk.net
      2·
      7 months ago

      I understand you’re argument but I disagree. If the goal is to use FreeCAD then yeah, it’s probably better to start as a beginner.

      If the goal is design parts using CAD then Onshape is a much better option in my opinion.

      • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        So educate me about Onshape. It looks like another Fusion360 where all your work is locked into their cloud service and when they decide to start charging you for it, you’re up the creek.

        I have a very robust distrust of these SAAS companies and don’t climbing a learning curve that’s going to end in a product I can’t afford one day. Even if a foss product is no longer developed, I have a version that works with my files forever.