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Recommended alternatives to SketchUp? (reddthat.com)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/linux

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So, a couple years ago, somebody published the 2017 free desktop client of SketchUp on the chocolatey repos, and I managed to snag it before it got taken down. I use it primarily to make woodworking plans.

I'm wrapping up my transition plan to Linux, but I'm not really up to date on SketchUp alternatives. The only ones I know of are Blender (afaik more for animation and 3D printing) and FreeCAD (CAD seems like overkill, since I'm just doing simple cuts and joinery).

Are there good Linux/FOSS alternatives to SketchUp that have similar features, or is the web client the only reasonable option?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I've not come across anything with that sort of free form, intuitive (for vector artists) control paradigm.

For functional modelling, I'd recommend a parametric app (like FreeCAD, as you've mentioned), though it can be a bit trickier to use. You may feel as if the workflow has some gaps compared to something like SolidWorks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

And I'm willing to learn FreeCAD, but it seems to be more program than I need for such a simple use case. I just need to be able to model basic rectangular prisms, maybe apply "difference" cutouts, and measure various pieces/voids.

Edit: typo

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

For basic parts / geometry, I think FreeCAD will serve you decently well. There are several nice tutorial series for FC on YouTube and adjacent platforms.

Def stick to dedicated CAD software for your use case, though. You can technically use something like Inkscape for technical illustrations but I think it would become a bit of a battle. If all you need is 2D design, maybe LibreCAD or QCAD will work?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

I really need the 3D modeling. I could do it in 2D, but at that point, I'd almost rather just draw it by hand.

I'll look at some FC tutorials.

[–] FizzyOrange 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The only good free option for that is SolveSpace. Don't bother with FreeCAD. It still isn't usable. SolveSpace is remarkably good for an open source CAD program.

It does have some notable missing features though, e.g. no bevels, fillets, drafts, etc. and last time I used it it had accuracy issues with small holes. But for your use case it's probably fine.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Cool, I hadn't heard of that one. I'll give it a look!