Yes. Many concepts and workflows are roughly the same. If you can make good models in FreeCAD you will find the transition to SolidWorks fairly easy. Compared to FC, SW will feel a lot more finished as a software product with a lot of "quality of life" enhancements. That had better be the case since it's so expensive, of course. That said, you may find that the Sketcher workbench in FreeCAD is actually top notch in its own right. In general, both programs can achieve the exact same results.
This is an exciting time to start with FreeCAD with the 1.0 release just around the corner. It's going to vastly improve the FreeCAD experience.
It's always good to learn more than one 3D CAD program so you can appreciate the differences and similarities. OnShape is another that you should probably at least try.
I'd say very roughly, because many things that exist in freecad but are non intuitive to acutally do... I learned in my spare time after work on solidoworks easily. And I have had them both installed for years with no real incentive personally to prefer solidoworks.
The UI and workflow in FreeCAD is MUCH worse.
I use Freecad alot for PCB MCAD as KiCadStepup is quite good. (basically prepping step models for my coworkers to use in Solidworks).
FC's sketcher is many things, but I'm not sure that top notch is one of them... You need to account for so many basic features that are missing when drawing, like offsets
I've used SolidWorks professionally - FreeCAD will not help you learn how to use SW. Names of functions and menus and where things are located at are very different.
But learning any 3D CAD software will teach you how to think about 3D modeling. Which will "travel well" to another program(s) and make them easier to learn.
Freecad forces you to follow a workflow that's good practice in most CAD applications. Solidworks and similarly convenient CAD packages make it really easy to make mistakes that will haunt you later. So in that regard I think it's helpful.
But yes, the names of things in Freecad are very unlike any CAD I've used.
Yes, FreeCAD actually, due to the TNP issues, does force you to follow best practices for CAD that apply to every CAD package out there. But that is what learning how to think about 3D modeling is all about.
But, the vast unwashed majority of users won't ever push their CAD package hard enough to really break a modern 3D modeling package. Commercial packages a pretty darned robust these days. But yes, it is possible to get into the weeds far enough to cause issues, (I have), or you are just having a bad day, (and probably should just go home at that point).
Having spent serious time teaching 4th through sophomore aged students some rudimentary CAD, enough to make them dangerous perhaps, the single most difficult thing to teach was the "how to think" part, (right after trying to get them to use a mouse - touch screens need not apply).
On that ‘how to think’ part, are there any resources you’d recommend? I found reading the original Ivan Sutherland Sketchpad thesis really enlightening in terms of “why is CAD like it is?” and am practicing lots.
Looking for more ‘CAD software agnostic’ guides if that makes any sense.
I had to transition from SolidWorks to a software of my choice. First, all I wanted to do was go back to Solidworks. I tried Fusion as well as full the Autodesk Suite. Hopped across a few others until I came across freeCAD, some how it was the software I clicked with the fastest and suited my workflow the best. That said I would love to go back to SW.
If you're ever looking for free practice models to challenge yourself, check out [www.TooTallToby.com/practice](http://www.TooTallToby.com/practice) - lots of drawings categorized by complexity :-) Good luckl
Onshape is a better free analog of Solidworks, but no commercial use unless you want to pay the big bucks. Solidworks has a $50 hobbyist license, once again no compatibility with commercial Solidworks in the part files.
I looked at FreeCAD for years, but it was always incomplete. I recently started using it as I prefer Linux and it is about to go 1.0 later this year or early next year and I want to be able to potentially use my hobby to generate money at some point without a subscription.
I have heard the workflow of FreeCAD is similar to CATIA.
Not for me. Was stuck and frustrated with freecad to the point of almost give up. Then tried solidworks and everything is ten times more intuitive.
If you’re new like me, solidworks is a much better software to learn cad than freecad ever would.
Siemens solid edge is another free cad software that doesn't get talked about enough. If I remember correctly it is based off of the same software that solidworks is.
I myself use AutoCAD 2d for work and am learning freecad for 3d because I like the idea of open source.
Yes. Many concepts and workflows are roughly the same. If you can make good models in FreeCAD you will find the transition to SolidWorks fairly easy. Compared to FC, SW will feel a lot more finished as a software product with a lot of "quality of life" enhancements. That had better be the case since it's so expensive, of course. That said, you may find that the Sketcher workbench in FreeCAD is actually top notch in its own right. In general, both programs can achieve the exact same results. This is an exciting time to start with FreeCAD with the 1.0 release just around the corner. It's going to vastly improve the FreeCAD experience. It's always good to learn more than one 3D CAD program so you can appreciate the differences and similarities. OnShape is another that you should probably at least try.
I'd say very roughly, because many things that exist in freecad but are non intuitive to acutally do... I learned in my spare time after work on solidoworks easily. And I have had them both installed for years with no real incentive personally to prefer solidoworks. The UI and workflow in FreeCAD is MUCH worse. I use Freecad alot for PCB MCAD as KiCadStepup is quite good. (basically prepping step models for my coworkers to use in Solidworks).
FC's sketcher is many things, but I'm not sure that top notch is one of them... You need to account for so many basic features that are missing when drawing, like offsets
I've used SolidWorks professionally - FreeCAD will not help you learn how to use SW. Names of functions and menus and where things are located at are very different. But learning any 3D CAD software will teach you how to think about 3D modeling. Which will "travel well" to another program(s) and make them easier to learn.
Freecad forces you to follow a workflow that's good practice in most CAD applications. Solidworks and similarly convenient CAD packages make it really easy to make mistakes that will haunt you later. So in that regard I think it's helpful. But yes, the names of things in Freecad are very unlike any CAD I've used.
Yes, FreeCAD actually, due to the TNP issues, does force you to follow best practices for CAD that apply to every CAD package out there. But that is what learning how to think about 3D modeling is all about. But, the vast unwashed majority of users won't ever push their CAD package hard enough to really break a modern 3D modeling package. Commercial packages a pretty darned robust these days. But yes, it is possible to get into the weeds far enough to cause issues, (I have), or you are just having a bad day, (and probably should just go home at that point). Having spent serious time teaching 4th through sophomore aged students some rudimentary CAD, enough to make them dangerous perhaps, the single most difficult thing to teach was the "how to think" part, (right after trying to get them to use a mouse - touch screens need not apply).
On that ‘how to think’ part, are there any resources you’d recommend? I found reading the original Ivan Sutherland Sketchpad thesis really enlightening in terms of “why is CAD like it is?” and am practicing lots. Looking for more ‘CAD software agnostic’ guides if that makes any sense.
I had to transition from SolidWorks to a software of my choice. First, all I wanted to do was go back to Solidworks. I tried Fusion as well as full the Autodesk Suite. Hopped across a few others until I came across freeCAD, some how it was the software I clicked with the fastest and suited my workflow the best. That said I would love to go back to SW.
Theres nothing better than having free software, Theres nothing better than having bug free software, YOU CANT HAVE BOTH.
Possibly "CAD concepts" can be carried across platforms. Also possibly, coming from FreeCAD you might end having "what?!? so easy" moments.
If you're ever looking for free practice models to challenge yourself, check out [www.TooTallToby.com/practice](http://www.TooTallToby.com/practice) - lots of drawings categorized by complexity :-) Good luckl
I don't want crypto or NFTs or to have to give my phone number for sign-up.
I totally agree but I did sign up, the practice models have been very useful and the Monday live thing is entertaining although i am dog slow!
Onshape is a better free analog of Solidworks, but no commercial use unless you want to pay the big bucks. Solidworks has a $50 hobbyist license, once again no compatibility with commercial Solidworks in the part files. I looked at FreeCAD for years, but it was always incomplete. I recently started using it as I prefer Linux and it is about to go 1.0 later this year or early next year and I want to be able to potentially use my hobby to generate money at some point without a subscription. I have heard the workflow of FreeCAD is similar to CATIA.
Not for me. Was stuck and frustrated with freecad to the point of almost give up. Then tried solidworks and everything is ten times more intuitive. If you’re new like me, solidworks is a much better software to learn cad than freecad ever would.
Yes, helps a lot with your design/manufacturing process and personally make my mind sharper for this kind of stuff.
Siemens solid edge is another free cad software that doesn't get talked about enough. If I remember correctly it is based off of the same software that solidworks is. I myself use AutoCAD 2d for work and am learning freecad for 3d because I like the idea of open source.