AEC Free Software directory: (https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=AEC_Free_Software

M by Moult on 3 Feb 2020, edited 1 Mar 2025 # +9 votes

think it would be great to have a directory of 100% free software (e.g. Honeybee is free, but currently coupled with Rhino, which is proprietary - although I heard the devs are making it agnostic!) that could be used at various stages of the design and construction pipeline. Here's a list of what I know so far, please let me know if there are others!

The end goal is a directory with a short description and image for each, and some form of category.

Blender - Polygonal 3D modeling, animation, and rendering

FreeCAD - Parametric, constraint-based solid modeling and analysis for industrial design

Tissue - Create parametric and tesselated panels in Blender

Sverchok - Parametric and algorithmic or generative design with Blender, similar to Grasshopper

ArchiPack - Quickly model parametric architectural objects in Blender

BlenderBIM Add-on - Read, write, and management of IFC data with Blender

Measure-it - Create 3D measurements in Blender

IfcOpenShell - A C++ and Python library for manipulating IFC data for programmers

BIMServer - An online server to view and manage IFC files, similar to BIM360

Radiance - Scientifically validated light simulation for light engineering

EnergyPlus - Scientifically validated energy analysis platform

OpenFOAM - Computational fluid dynamics analysis platform

ParaView - Scientific visualisation platform for analysis results

Code_Aster - Numerical simulation for structural mechanics

Flexible Collision Library - Allows interrogation of geometry clashes

BIMTester - Write unit tests to perform quality auditing of IFC data

IFCDiff - Compare changes between two IFC files

IFCCOBie - Convert COBie data from an IFC file to spreadsheet format

BIMSurfer - Web-based IFC model viewer

BRL-CAD - Command based solid modeling platform

I have probably missed quite a few, so please feel free to add your own!

M by Moult on 5 Feb 2020 #

@magicalcloud_75 - just to clarify, this is for "free" software, as in software that promotes the freedom of industries and users. This is not to do with the price tag :)

I did not see any free software license for BricsCAD Shape - unless I missed something?

Notepad++ is indeed free software, have you got a link to the IFC add-on for it? I'd love to add it to the list.

M by magicalcloud_75 on 4 Feb 2020 # +3 votes

BricsCAD Shape : great for 2D / 3D Dwg editor

Eats Sketchup files too

Notepad++ (Addon for IFC amd LISP)

M by magicalcloud_75 on 6 Feb 2020, edited 6 Feb 2020 # +1 votes

BricsCAD shape is free, but it is not open source free. The addon is a 'styler'. It mifht be intresting

https://github.com/JulesBuh/ifcParser/blob/master/NotePad_Styles/NotePad%2B%2BIFCLanguageStyler.xml

B by bitacovir on 7 Feb 2020 # +3 votes

sweethome3d

LibreCAD

QCAD

MeshLab

IFC++

xBIM Xplorer

GIMP

Hugin

Inkscape

Scribus

LibreOffice

OpenProj

Freeplane

PDFSAM (basic)

PDFedit

LuxRender

Mitsuba Render

Applessed Render

ODS Studio (basic CFD in Blender)

Meshroom (photogrammetric)

OpenStudio

ShareX (screenshot)

M by Moult on 7 Feb 2020 #

Fantastic! I can start the process of setting up an application directory. @bitacovir can you provide a short 1 sentence description of each one as well as a link? That would speed up the process of me compiling it into a searchable directory.

Any suggestions on categories which would be useful?

B by bitacovir on 7 Feb 2020 # +4 votes

Ok. I will suggest an architecture design workflow stages as 3 main categories. and then, sub categories. But, try to keep few groups. For example:

Schematic / Preliminary design / Information Gathering

Concept Design

Presentation (this can be refereed to the second subcategory)

GIS software

Design Development / Construction documents / Technical Design

2D CAD

3D CAD / BIM

Analysis (Structural, Sustainable, etc)

Graphic Presentation

Office /Construction Administration

Office software

Gantt

Diagrams

Sweethome3d (Interior Design application for furniture layout design - http://www.sweethome3d.com/ )

LibreCAD = 2D CAD software https://librecad.org/ )

QCAD = 2D CAD software https://qcad.org/en/)

MeshLab = 3D meshes processing software http://www.meshlab.net/

QGIS = Geographic Information system https://www.qgis.org/en/site/

IFC++ = IFC Viewer https://ifcquery.com/

xBIM Xplorer = IFC Viewer http://docs.xbim.net/downloads/xbimxplorer.html

GIMP = Photo Editor software https://www.gimp.org/

Hugin = panoramic Photo Tool http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

Inkscape = vector graphic editor https://inkscape.org/

Scribus = Page layout program https://www.scribus.net/

LibreOffice = alternative office suit, for all platforms https://www.libreoffice.org/

OpenProj = Gantt software for project management https://sourceforge.net/projects/openproj/

Freeplane = mind map software for diagrams and mind maps https://www.freeplane.org/wiki/index.php/Home

PDFSAM = PDF editor for Split and Merge files https://pdfsam.org/

PDFedit = PDF editor http://pdfedit.cz/en/index.html

LuxRender = external Rendering engine for 3D files https://luxcorerender.org/

Mitsuba = external Rendering engine for 3D files http://www.mitsuba-renderer.org/

Applessed = external Rendering engine for 3D files https://appleseedhq.net/

ODS Studio = Plugin for Blender to perform CFD analysis https://www.ods-engineering.com/tools/ods-studio/download/

Meshroom = 3D photogrametric software for 3D reconstruction and camera tracking https://alicevision.org/

OpenStudio= suite of free and open-source software applications for building energy analysis https://www.openstudio.net/

ShareX = screenshot and screencast program https://getsharex.com/

B by bitacovir on 9 Feb 2020 # +2 votes

Another interesting option.

Blender GIS - An addon to import geographic data into Blender. https://github.com/domlysz/BlenderGIS </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2694"></a> J by Jesusbill on 9 Feb 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2694">#</a> <article> Great list of software!! I am providing some more related to structural engineering or engineering modeling/simulation: OpenSees - (opensees.berkeley.edu): A software framework for developing applications to simulate the performance of structural and geotechnical systems subjected to earthquakes FDS - (github.com/firemodels/fds): Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is a large-eddy simulation (LES) code for low-speed flows, with an emphasis on smoke and heat transport from fires Syrthes - (<a href="https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818" rel="nofollow">https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818</a>): A general thermal software dedicated to transient thermal simulations in complex solid geometries including radiation Code Saturne - (code-saturne.org): A numerical solver for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2695"></a> M by Moult on 9 Feb 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2695">#</a> <article> Add a couple more to the list: CloudCompare - Point cloud manipulation and processing software COLMAP - Point cloud to mesh convert using photogrammetry JOSM - Download and edit OpenStreetMap GIS data I'll find some free time to set up a directory on the main site either this week or next. </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2716"></a> B by bitacovir on 14 Feb 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2716">#</a> +2 votes <article> Just found another addon for Blender, similar of Sverchock: Sorcar <a href="https://aachman98.itch.io/sorcar" rel="nofollow">https://aachman98.itch.io/sorcar</a> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2721"></a> R by ReD_CoDE on 17 Feb 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2721">#</a> <article> IfcSharp (<a href="https://github.com/IfcSharp" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/IfcSharp</a>) - Bringing SQL- and SQLite-based IFC based on C# </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2767"></a> B by bitacovir on 4 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2767">#</a> <article> OpenProject: Open source project management software. <a href="https://www.openproject.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.openproject.org/</a> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2772"></a> M by Moult on 4 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2772">#</a> <article> Wow, fantastic @bitacovir - do you know if OpenProject implements the OpenCDE spec and the BCF-API specification? That would allow integration of issue management tools and authoring programs. </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2773"></a> M by Moult on 4 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2773">#</a> <article> Do others here think it's a good idea if I set up wiki.osarch.org? This directory can be moved there, along with individual pages for each application, links to tutorials, where to find support... </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2776"></a> J by Jesusbill on 4 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2776">#</a> <article> I think yes </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2777"></a> J by Jesusbill on 4 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2777">#</a> <article> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2779"></a> B by bitacovir on 5 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2779">#</a> <article> <blockquote> Wow, fantastic <a class="atMention" data-username="bitacovir" data-userid="19" href="<a href="https://community.osarch.org/profile/bitacovir">@bitacovir" rel="nofollow">https://community.osarch.org/profile/bitacovir">@bitacovir</a></a> - do you know if OpenProject implements the OpenCDE spec and the BCF-API specification? That would allow integration of issue management tools and authoring programs.Sorry. No idea. </blockquote> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2782"></a> R by ReD_CoDE on 5 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2782">#</a> <article> Just choosing a tool because it's opensource (indeed, somewhat open source) or because it's related to our friends is not a logical way For me OpenProject is an average project and there's a better solution than it Researching and finding the best solution is more important that just choosing a solution and "go the wrong way" </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2791"></a> S by shanmama on 8 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2791">#</a> +1 votes <article> XBIM，like this <img src="https://community.osarch.org/uploads/876/1WA4RF1XOO0C.png" alt="image.png" rel="nofollow" loading="lazy" /> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2792"></a> S by shanmama on 8 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2792">#</a> +1 votes <article> <blockquote> Great list of software!! I am providing some more related to structural engineering or engineering modeling/simulation:OpenSees - (opensees.berkeley.edu): A software framework for developing applications to simulate the performance of structural and geotechnical systems subjected to earthquakesFDS - (<a href="<a href="https://github.com/firemodels/fds" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/firemodels/fds</a>" rel="nofollow">github.com/firemodels/fds): </a>Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is a large-eddy simulation (LES) code for low-speed flows, with an emphasis on smoke and heat transport from firesSyrthes - (<a href="<a href="https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818" rel="nofollow">https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818</a>" rel="nofollow"><a href="https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818" rel="nofollow">https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/world-s-largest-power-company/activities/research-and-development/scientific-communities/simulation-softwares?logiciel=10818</a></a>): A general thermal software dedicated to transient thermal simulations in complex solid geometries including radiationCode Saturne - (code-saturne.org): A numerical solver for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulationsOpenSees is a kind of FEM software. My master thesis used it to calculate model. But now I am learning construction management lol </blockquote> </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2794"></a> J by Jesusbill on 8 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2794">#</a> <article> Yeah, I took the description directly from OpenSeesWiki but it is a bit too general. Essentially yes it is a finite element solver for structural engineering. There are a couple of projects for python versions of opensees, nowadays, perhaps in the future we can connect it to the "ifc2ca" project </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2814"></a> R by ReD_CoDE on 14 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2814">#</a> +3 votes <article> I add some Open Source tools was shared privately I'll try to share things publicly most and less privately Cesium (<a href="https://github.com/CesiumGS/cesium" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/CesiumGS/cesium</a>) JS-based 3D Globes and Maps Terria.io (<a href="https://github.com/TerriaJS" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/TerriaJS</a>) An Australian startup based on Cesium, which these days work directly in and with Cesium team PlayCanvas (<a href="https://github.com/playcanvas/engine" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/playcanvas/engine</a>) A game engine based on HTML5 and WebGL which cooperates with Mozilla Webcodesk (<a href="https://github.com/webcodesk/webcodesk-srv" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/webcodesk/webcodesk-srv</a>) A front-end visual development tool for React applications </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2819"></a> B by bitacovir on 16 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2819">#</a> <article> OpenOrienting: <a href="https://www.openorienteering.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.openorienteering.org/</a> Collection of tools (opensource and free) which help with the creation of orienteering maps and the organization of orienteering events. </article> </li> <li class="post"> <a id="2820"></a> B by bitacovir on 16 Mar 2020 <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1#2820">#</a> +1 votes <article> Hi. I put all the links in a FreePlane map with different categories. You need Freeplane to open the file <a href="https://www.freeplane.org/wiki/index.php/Home" rel="nofollow">https://www.freeplane.org/wiki/index.php/Home</a> Also I exported the file into a Html file. <a href="https://community.osarch.org/uploads/820/CS9S58DC06ML.zip" rel="nofollow">View attachment</a><a href="https://community.osarch.org/uploads/817/0PMIBEJP2TRN.zip" rel="nofollow">View attachment</a> </article> </li> </ol> <ol class="pagination"> <li class="active"><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p1">Page 1</a></li> <li><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p2">2</a></li> <li><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p3">3</a></li> <li>…</li> <li><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p15">15</a></li> <li><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p16">16</a></li> <li><a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/thread/7/p17">17</a></li> </ol> <a href="https://community-test.osarch.org/login">Login or Register</a> to reply. <footer> Except where otherwise noted, content on this site added after June 2021 is <a href="#">CC-BY 4.0</a> </footer> </body> </html>

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AEC Free Software directory: (https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=AEC_Free_Software_directory)