3D Cad Programm recommendations for BSD

senenmut said:
thank you ,
i give openscad a try after saw this youtube video.
Openscad vs. FreeCad
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FreeCAD has been very active and I think the version in the video link was 0.16. It's now up to 1.0.x
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeCAD#Release_history

It has a growing community and is much more mature these days.

There is a U.K. engineering instructor who has a series of very good tutorials that are specific for the Release:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_yh_S31R9g&list=PLWuyJLVUNtc3UYXXfSglVpfWdX31F-e5S


If you go to Mang0_Jelly's youtube home page You'll see how to use most common features. FreeCAD also can take your model and generate engineering drawings and patent drawings if you think your project has commercial potential.

Not to say that OpenSCAD and Solvespace won't be able to generate your project
 
hruodr said:
No idea. Never used this technology, but I though g-code is older than 3D printers. Then it should be independent?
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gcode is a generic langiage. Each printer will have its own printer differences and you can have filament differences: time to heat hotend, time/if to heat hotbed, temp to reach for filament (varies by filament, desired print speed, and hotend. Normally a slicer takes this and more into account through general settings and prompted options for that one job once configured for the general printer/hotend/filament and further tuned to your physical stuff. A truly generic code must be generated, or at least modified, to account for those differences. Some things are simple like inserting an instruction at the start about where to move to reach endpoints (movement/position calibration) or an early command to wait until a desired temperature is reached but others generate a completely different code throughout the file to accomodate some motions, acceleration, etc. It is common to precalc some things into the generated gcode so there is less processing that is done at the printer to work around lower computing
I still haven't gotten around to trying to work out both a printer config and functioning gcode to printer translation step to use my printer with prusaslicer but since prusaslicer isn't compatible with nvidia-driver-390 and my gtx570 (caused by nvidia including incomplete egl if memory serves) I have tried very little to even get it ready.
 
hruodr said:
How to translate then to g-code? Is there a commandline program?
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All 3 of the CAD programs in question will generate an STL of your design. Specifically, in FreeCAD you use the "Mesh" work bench where can can select the meshing algorithm and the resolution of the STL. There are online printing services where you can send your STL and they will print it and mail it back to you.

Essentially, slicing software generates g-code. Slicing programs tend to be specific to the make/model of 3D printer and Windows/MacOS versions are, in most part, included on a thumb drive that comes with a 3D printer purchase. In FreeBSD, cad/cura and cad/prusaslicer are available and they support a number of FDM printers if you DIY.
 
hruodr said:
I though g-code is older than 3D printers. Then it should be independent?
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Well there is a step in creating G-Code on (computers) called Post Processing. This is machine specific.
CNC Machines require a post-processor routine in SolidCam/MasterCam/Any CAM for outputting ready to use code.. There are GENERIC post routines.

For example G-Code was originally wrote for punched tape drives. So G code has M30 "End of Tape" as a G-Code function.
Tape is no longer used so some CNC manufacturers may use that G-Code for another function. G-Code is somewhat universal but not thoroughly.

Whats a 3D printer supposed to do with a M08? Coolant On? There is no coolant on a 3D printer. You can find many such examples in G/M code.

G code. Standard G codes for lathes with various numerical controls (CNC)

Explore the G code table with all standard G codes for various numerical controls (CNC), including lathes.
www.cnc-syntax-editor.com www.cnc-syntax-editor.com
 
hruodr said:
Why does the slicer need the graphic hardware / driver?
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Generally a slicer takes the model and tries to figure out the most efficient nozzle path to accomplish the task. You check the work by eye.
Having a GUI is only logical for 3D simulations of the work being done. A dry-run of your program if you will.

In my job with SolidWorks I need to see what toolpath the computer is assigning to a tool.
I need to make sure it does not crash any hold-down clamps. Adjust feeds and speeds.
Using speeds/feeds charts is fine but many times you want to adjust to local conditions. Consider it a starting point. Like a wizzard.
 
Phishfry said:
Generally a slicer takes the model and tries to figure out the most efficient nozzle path to accomplish the task. You check the work by eye.
Having a GUI is only logical for 3D simulations of the work being done. A dry-run of your program if you will.

In my job with SolidWorks I need to see what toolpath the computer is assigning to a tool.
I need to make sure it does not crash any hold-down clamps. Adjust feeds and speeds.
Using speeds/feeds charts is fine but many times you want to adjust to local conditions. Consider it a starting point. Like a wizzard.
Click to expand...
You can run PrusaSlicer from the command line but there a a number of factors where it is nice to have some visual control.
  1. Orienting the model on the build plate
  2. Positioning build supports on the model
  3. Duplicating the model/supports
  4. Arranging the build plate
Also, many printers now come with a webcam. Watching a 3D printer print is analogous to watching paint dry over several hours. A webcam lets you periodically check progress without leaving your workstation.
 
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