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by threatripper 1398 days ago
Suppose that there would be an open source CAD software that does all the basic things right (like Blender). I agree with you that probably nobody would pay big money for that. That's one reason why it doesn't exist today. But suppose that it exists. Why then would all those "plugin makers" invest in a specific proprietary software when they could extend the open source software instead? Why would users want a proprietary software when they could use the open source software instead?

To me it sounds like professional CAD is really hard and nobody can "just make it" in a few years of work. That's the reason why open source CAD doesn't really exist today in the professional space. But once it exists, it will eat the world. The transition phase will still take dozens of years because of all the work invested in existing platforms. We will probably see something similar to the adoption of Linux in the commercial space where it simply makes sense to use Linux instead of developing your own OS or licensing some other OS.
2 comments
adastra22 1398 days ago
Or, to make a directly relevant parallel, the adoption of Blender. It used to be a niche open source tool whereas any self respecting professional used Maya or 3DS Max, and Adobe products. Now it ate the entire visual effects and video game industries.
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linkdink 1398 days ago
Blender provides much of the value of its competitors. A purely CAD tool does not. You have to solve the other problems primarily, while also having CAD. Otherwise, it's like having a text editor when no programming languages exist. What is your business going to do with that?
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CRConrad 1392 days ago
> Otherwise, it's like having a text editor when no programming languages exist.

You mean a bit like an operating system without a kernel...?

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adastra22 1398 days ago
I think you’re fighting a straw man? There needs to be an open-source integrated CAD/CAM environment, like Fusion 360 is. That's what the OP in this subthread is asking for.
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linkdink 1397 days ago
That wish is already granted

https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Path_Workbench

My thesis is that the bigger challenge is "economic", not technical.

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linkdink 1398 days ago
Contributing to open source CAD would be economically stupid. Vendors know exactly how big the market is. Most sales are "conversions", not first-time buyers. Open source would be an exit ramp for their customers.
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