On 9/30/26 22:34, Ryan McIntosh wrote:
Fusion360 runs just fine under WINE on linux. OpenSCAD will create
whatever level of part complexity you can mathematically describe. If you
have a part with many b-splines or freeform curves, yes, you will spend a
long time describing them. However, the mathematical precision with which
you must think about your part can make the production of CAM files or
meshes much simpler and/or with less "stepping" It is worth mentioning
that FreeCAD exports to OpenSCAD natively. Should you want to produce a
part on an older Fanuc, for example, you may have difficulties with larger
meshes.
*Ryan McIntosh*
E4F Designs
(204)770-3682
[email protected]
Its likely good to know that fusion360 can do that. But the last time I
read the TOS and license I got a bad after-taste. Back to openscad for
printed designs, or writing my own gcode. Freecad to me has way too
vertical a learning curve, where openscad is a piece of cake.
On Wed, Sep 30, 2026 at 4:04 PM Chris Albertson <[email protected]>
wrote:
My test to see if a CAD/CAM system is usable is to try to make a Milwaukee
battery-powered drill housing. Note that the drill on the outside has
no flat parallel surfaces, as it is all compound curves and freeform.
Except there is bilateral symmetry and, in some places, radial symmetry.
Then, if you look on the inside, it is very geometric and has places for
mechanical gears and PCB mounting holes, threaded blind holes, and is very
“mechanical.” A good CAD system should allow you to design something like
a drill or a car that is both mechanical and a sculpted shape.
FreeCAD is open source and passed the above test. Autodesk’s Fusion 360
is free to use and has a better user interface and is faster to use. Both
have a CAM systems. FreeCAD’s CAM is really only 2.5D and basically
works. Autodesk Fusion’s CAM is 100% professional quality, but the free
version is limited. You need a paid license for 5-axis support. Both
work well for making 3D-printed parts with very complex part shapes up to
and including motorcycle engines and similar.
About Gene’s comment: I can’t understand how someone with good mechanical
skill can not learn either of these two CAD systems. OK, Fusion 360 is
easier. But anyone reading this should be able to do basic work after a
week or two of study and after 6 weeks, make complex parts like the
Milwaukee drill.
About OpenSCAD, I challenge anyone to make a Milwaukee battery drill in
OpenSCAD. Or a car or a motorcycle engine. It is, however, good for any
shape that can be described by an algorithm; gears are a good example.
Summary: if making complex parts and wanting a free CAD/CAM system, use
Fusion 360. If it must also be open source, use FreeCAD.
Your operating system might help you decide. Fusion 360 runs only on
macOS and Windows. FreeCAD runs on these but also runs on Linux.
Fusion360 can run on Linux if you run a virtual machine with Windows.
On Sep 30, 2026, at 8:14 AM, maurice e heskett <[email protected]>
wrote:
On 9/30/26 09:41, andy pugh wrote:
Agreed.. Off topic, is there a CAM that's both open src and free?
FreeCAD?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVz2p_ze3yc
A near vertical learning curve for my aging wet ram. I've made probably
20 passes at it, haven't gotten past the 1st page of examples w/o gaining
any real insight as to how it works. Openscad is a piece of tasty cake. The
link above gave me a prostate commercial I had to sit thru, but got bored
after about 2 minutes and killed FF. Never saw the freecad demo. went
back again, 'skip"ped about 3 commercials, then got lost in the speakers
accent. As Winston Churchill once said, 2 great countries separated by a
common language... The chances I'd get anything out of that are quite slim.
Thanks, Gene
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