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CAD Add-on in Blender (and other useful Add-ons)

  1. S by Sinasta on 8 Sep 2021, edited 20 Sep 2021 # +2 votes

    Hello everybody.

    I would like to start a discussion about opensource CAD drawing software.

    I have the feeling that professional CAD drawing software is one one of the last things i am really missing on my linux environement.

    I use Qcad but it has defenitly it flaws.

    I know that there is Librecad a fork of qcad which provides some pro features but still lacks some crucial features.

    Inkscape is not a good choice either IMO.

    Freecad has its arch workbench where cad drawings are possible but something prevents me from using it ( maybe the complexity, maybe because its workflow is too far away from proprietary alternatives).

    For some time I have been thinking that it should be quite practical and doable to create a blender addon that provides CAD drawing capabilities to Blender.

    Recently i found this addon: Geometry Sketcher which seems really great and is working somehow similair to sketcher in Freecad.

    Sadly i am not a developer and cant help with the developement of this addon.

    What do you think about having an addon with sketcher functions for blender?

    Would some of you be able to help this project getting more advanced (better snapping, modifying etc)?

    Or do you thing that we dont need an addon like this because thats what freecad is there for?

    How would this addon be working together with blenderBIM?

  2. A by Ace on 8 Sep 2021 #

    Although it's not Opensource, I've found Nanocad to be the most performative free alternative to autocad, you have to sign up with an email address and you are given a key but otherwise free. I find Librecad and the like just can't handle large files very well although they are very awesome.

    Freecad is probably your best bet in the long run and it looks amazing but likewise I don't know why I'm so hesitant every time I try to learn it.

    Is there a video preview of what Geometry Sketcher looks like/ operates? I'd also be interested.

    The software directory also lists Z cad:

    https://wiki.osarch.org/index.php?title=AEC_Free_Software_directory#CAD_.2F_BIM_Design_Development

    https://github.com/zamtmn/zcad

    It looks fully featured but I've never used it so can't comment performance wise

  3. S by Sinasta on 8 Sep 2021 # +1 votes

    Thank you for your advise.

    I already heard of nanocad.

    The problem is that i really dont want to install windows on my machines and i don't think that there is nanocad available for linux.

    I will check out Zcad though.

    No there is no preview of Geometry sjetcher but it is pretty inuitive. I would suggest you to install it (like a normal zip addon) and try it out. Just hit "new sketch" and then you can start constraining your sketch.

  4. P by paullee on 8 Sep 2021 #

    Ｍaybe someone can make a simple recording on how it works ? :D

  5. S by Sinasta on 9 Sep 2021 # +1 votes

    I honestly just recommend you to install it and play around with it for 10 minutes. it is really intuitive. But i mind you it is still WIP.

    Furthermore here are some super interesting Blender Addons that i would like to put your attention on:

    CSV visualizing 1 2

    VTK visualizing/manipulation

    OpenCV in Blender

    Machine learning in Blender 1 2

    Pandas in Blender

    Architecture creation 1 2

    Crowd simulation

    Floorplan to 3d

    FEA analysis

    Putting them out here for you to check out in hope that it helps you and that those of you who know how to code could help improve those addons.

  6. J by JanF on 9 Sep 2021 #
  7. T by theoryshaw on 18 Sep 2021, edited 18 Sep 2021 # +1 votes

    I split the conversation about Geometry Sketcher here.

    Sorry, @JanF, i think I accidently deleted one of your posts. :\

  8. D by duncan on 20 Sep 2021 #

    Thanks @JanF. Yes, please continue this discussion in one of the other threads and maybe refer back to this one if there's something important here. Remember also that we have a page on the wiki for listing Blender Add-ins relevant to BIM/CAD

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