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From: Kai-Martin Knaak <kmk AT familieknaak DOT de>
Subject: Re: [geda-user] 3D modelling and gEDA
Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 00:21:49 +0200
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Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com

Evan Foss wrote:

> Respectfully the freecad program is more like an interface to the
> opencascade kernel. 

This is actually a smart move. There have been quiete a few stalled 
trials to whip up an open sourced 3D CAD application from scratch. It 
takes just too much of an effort before the resulting binary is 
remotely usable for real life projects.


> I don't think the freecad people could just code
> a replacement because they suddenly felt like it. 

They don't need to. There is openscad, which looks like a viable 
alternative. After all, this is a "GUI-less 3D modelling software".


> Using freecad
> which is totally depended on opencascade for this feature is
> effectively adding opencascade as a dependency.
> 
> Has anyone looked at BRL-Cad integration. They have API's and
> import/export functions for most formats. BRL-Cad is totally open
> source.

It is ancient to the point that its UI precedes the invention of the 
computer mouse. This still reflects in the interface. A few years ago, 
when I was looking for an open source mechanical CAD solution for a 
serious construction project, I gave brlcad a try. However, I was not 
able to do a cube with a bunch of holes after half a day spent on 
tutorials and getting started documents. In addition, STEP import is 
"still in its infancy" according to brlcad.org:
	http://brlcad.org/wiki/STEP_importer_improvements
So a major ability, I'd really like to see from import/export to a 3D-
mechanical CAD, is not ready for smooth use. I seem to remember I read 
the exact same wording on the state of STEP import back when I gave 
brlcad a try...

-- 
Kai-Martin Knaak