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Thread: Freecad Experience?

  1. #1

    Freecad Experience?

    Does anyone have experience with freecad? I'm looking for a program to teach myself CAD and be able to draw up a bolt design to have it milled. Will this program do the trick?

  2. #2
    Junior Member m98custom1212's Avatar
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    It will but not very well. if you send the bolt or dimensions. I will model the part and give you detailed print

  3. #3
    Insider new ion?'s Avatar
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    Reviving this thread - has anyone used it recently?

    At work we're setting up a 3D printer for a 'Makerspace' area - Problem is that CAD licenses are individually controlled and of course expensive. Looking into FreeCAD for this use.

    Use case being simple things for personal projects and lab jigs - sensor mounts etc.

  4. #4
    Insider
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    I've used FreeCAD for making models to print. Latest one being holder for 2mm thick piece of lexan to protect GoPro Hero Sessions lens/front glass from paintballs.
    It does its job ok, but probably misses some of the features and ease of use compared to commercial CAD programs.

  5. #5
    Have you already looked into Fusion 360? I haven't used it myself, but I hear a lot of good things about it.

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    Insider new ion?'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tyronejk View Post
    Have you already looked into Fusion 360? I haven't used it myself, but I hear a lot of good things about it.
    Fusion 360 is great for personal/startup use. I've used it a couple times at home, works great. However, my company isn't really small and couldn't get away with using Fusion360 free. Getting a recurring license for something like this is kind of out of the question at the moment.

  7. #7
    Oh, gotcha. Sorry, I missed the "at work" part.

  8. #8
    Insider Davros's Avatar
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    new ion, I am an amateur CAD guy, but some days I want to be a real one, especially as I am a 3D printer owner. So over the years I dabbled with it. Also I always want to see where open source/free software stuff stands and help improve it out if I can, so every once in a while I check out stuff like FreeCAD and try to learn it a little more each time. FreeCAD seems alright to me for what you are talking about.

    I find myself doing fine with Blender for making many things though. Despite the fact it is a 3D animation package, more and more people are using for 3D printing work and developing plug-ins to help adapt it to that use. Blender does fine for me stock though. Mind you I use it to do what you would consider simple items.

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