Comments on: CAD Modeling in Blender http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/ Fresh Blender News, Every Day Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:06:38 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Spanky http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-334888 Spanky Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:17:18 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-334888 You can use Blender and a python script called Calliper to CAD stuff pretty well: http://www.allanbrito.com/2007/05/02/3d-dimension-lines-with-blender-and-caliper/ You can use Blender and a python script called Calliper to CAD stuff pretty well:

http://www.allanbrito.com/2007/05/02/3d-dimension-lines-with-blender-and-caliper/

]]> By: uhhuh http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-176962 uhhuh Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:39:44 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-176962 Uh-huh, it's very clear Blender is not suitable for CAD! First of all, it is seriously lacking features important for CAD workers! For example, show me how you generate a technical drawing out of a 3D-model in Blender, so that it is assosiative! So that when you change the model, the drawing changes also! And so that you can insert dimensions into the drawing... Second, Blender's user-interface... well compare it to Catia V5 for example, and you might get an idea why Catia V5 is very good and Blender is definitely not good for CAD, in commercial projects where time really costs, the projects must return a profit! Blender's user interface is far from intuitive. It looks like some old Catia which was run in Unix in 1980 :p Yes, I have used both programs extensively to make a judgement. For simple, inaccurate visualisation of architectural projects, maybe Blender can be used, but any more complex than that, no way! Uh-huh, it's very clear Blender is not suitable for CAD!

First of all, it is seriously lacking features important for CAD workers!

For example, show me how you generate a technical drawing out of a 3D-model in Blender, so that it is assosiative! So that when you change the model, the drawing changes also! And so that you can insert dimensions into the drawing…

Second, Blender's user-interface… well compare it to Catia V5 for example, and you might get an idea why Catia V5 is very good and Blender is definitely not good for CAD, in commercial projects where time really costs, the projects must return a profit! Blender's user interface is far from intuitive. It looks like some old Catia which was run in Unix in 1980 :p

Yes, I have used both programs extensively to make a judgement.

For simple, inaccurate visualisation of architectural projects, maybe Blender can be used, but any more complex than that, no way!

]]> By: Esben Stien http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-132219 Esben Stien Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:53:23 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-132219 I must say that I have totally given up on blender as a parametric solid modeler and I've followed this project for many years. There is little driving force in the blender community for engineering applications, as it's mostly an artist tool. Projects such as BRL-CAD are in the process of implementing full interactive NURBS support. Parametrics and constraints are also on the horizon for it. There is also a new parametric solid modeler starting up for engineers and artists alike (a dangerous combo;) called kreative-3d (not to be confused with k-3d). I must say that I have totally given up on blender as a parametric solid modeler and I've followed this project for many years.

There is little driving force in the blender community for engineering applications, as it's mostly an artist tool.

Projects such as BRL-CAD are in the process of implementing full interactive NURBS support. Parametrics and constraints are also on the horizon for it.

There is also a new parametric solid modeler starting up for engineers and artists alike (a dangerous combo;) called kreative-3d (not to be confused with k-3d).

]]> By: afecelis http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-132162 afecelis Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:58:12 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-132162 @Michael Harkins: you should give this link a look ;) http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=96553 Nice approach on precision modeling with blender. @Michael Harkins: you should give this link a look ;)
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=96553
Nice approach on precision modeling with blender.

]]> By: Michael Harkins http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-132146 Michael Harkins Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:20:43 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-132146 While I do agree that Blender is not a replacement for a Mechanical Solid Modeler I think it shows what a great open source program can be. I am a Solidworks Certified Professional and currently instruct Solidworks. I have been looking for a good open source mech solid modeler with no success. I'm not a programmer by any means but I am willing to work with anyone intrested in creating an open source solid modeler. I think the guys who have done the work on blender have done a great job and I think they would do any equally great job on a solid modeler. They would also have the undying gratitude of thousands of Solidworks, Solidedge and Inventor users. While I do agree that Blender is not a replacement for a Mechanical Solid Modeler I think it shows what a great open source program can be. I am a Solidworks Certified Professional and currently instruct Solidworks. I have been looking for a good open source mech solid modeler with no success. I'm not a programmer by any means but I am willing to work with anyone intrested in creating an open source solid modeler. I think the guys who have done the work on blender have done a great job and I think they would do any equally great job on a solid modeler. They would also have the undying gratitude of thousands of Solidworks, Solidedge and Inventor users.

]]> By: leuteris http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-54220 leuteris Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:38:05 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-54220 I my work I need a cad for mechanical design. I use Solidworks. I try to do some thinks with brlcad and blender. The above application are very good but they 've disadvantages. Blender is too complicated and slow down my work and brlcad based in command line with poor render capabilities. VariCAD is a good solution but it's not open source software and it needs improvements. People need a program under GPL. I my work I need a cad for mechanical design. I use Solidworks. I try to do some thinks with brlcad and blender.
The above application are very good but they 've disadvantages. Blender is too complicated and slow down my work and brlcad based in command line with poor render capabilities. VariCAD is a good solution but it's not open source software and it needs improvements. People need a program under GPL.

]]> By: Octavian http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-10918 Octavian Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:44:50 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-10918 Does anyone know a good way to convert AutoCAD 3d models into Blender? I've tried with the last version of Blender (2.4) to import a very simple DXF file (a box) but it seems it doesn't work... I'm doing architectural visualisation and till now I was doing the 3d modelling in AutoCAD and the renderings in 3dsmax. I've just found about Blender and installed it. It seems very nice and I was thinking to switch from 3dsmax to it, but the first condition is to be able to import from AutoCAD at good quality. Thanks Does anyone know a good way to convert AutoCAD 3d models into Blender? I've tried with the last version of Blender (2.4) to import a very simple DXF file (a box) but it seems it doesn't work…

I'm doing architectural visualisation and till now I was doing the 3d modelling in AutoCAD and the renderings in 3dsmax. I've just found about Blender and installed it. It seems very nice and I was thinking to switch from 3dsmax to it, but the first condition is to be able to import from AutoCAD at good quality.

Thanks

]]> By: Jerry Segers, Jr. http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-10522 Jerry Segers, Jr. Fri, 15 Sep 2006 03:26:59 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-10522 Dan: I use a mac, so I can't download it to be sure, but I think from the stuff on the web site that open cascade is a set of libraries, and an application framework so you can build a cad program yourself. So, I don't think it will work, however BRLCAD might be worth looking at if anyone finds this page and needs a free cad program. I personally couldn't get it to compile, but that probably says more about me than the software. http://www.brlcad.org/ Dan:
I use a mac, so I can't download it to be sure, but I think from the stuff on the web site that open cascade is a set of libraries, and an application framework so you can build a cad program yourself. So, I don't think it will work, however BRLCAD might be worth looking at if anyone finds this page and needs a free cad program. I personally couldn't get it to compile, but that probably says more about me than the software. http://www.brlcad.org/

]]> By: Esben Stien http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-6404 Esben Stien Fri, 14 Jul 2006 21:55:04 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-6404 Blender is definitely not suited for CAD;). An application suited for CAD is called a CSG modeler and includes an extensive NURBS environment Blender is definitely not suited for CAD;). An application suited for CAD is called a CSG modeler and includes an extensive NURBS environment

]]> By: Dan http://www.blendernation.com/cad-modeling-in-blender/comment-page-1/#comment-6388 Dan Fri, 14 Jul 2006 17:38:07 +0000 http://www.BlenderNation.com/2006/04/27/cad-modeling-in-blender/#comment-6388 While do like to have increased functionality, the one-size-fits-all approach rarely works out well. So i don't think turning Blender into a CAD program is the best idea. Just looking at the Blender wiki ( http://mediawiki.blender.org/index.php/Competitive_Analysis/CAD ) made me find an Open Source CAD program http://www.opencascade.org . Doesn't that one fulfill your needs? While do like to have increased functionality, the one-size-fits-all approach rarely works out well. So i don't think turning Blender into a CAD program is the best idea.

Just looking at the Blender wiki ( http://mediawiki.blender.org/index.php/Competitive_Analysis/CAD ) made me find an Open Source CAD program http://www.opencascade.org . Doesn't that one fulfill your needs?

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