Group talk:OpenDWG Replacement

I did not want to mess with the first page, so this is a rough list of thoughts we can discuss:

CAD Data formats

• vtk from kitware.com is a 3D CAD format used in scientific areas, but i don't know the licence
• www.ocf.or.jp/e/index.shtml - OCF / Open CAD Format Council

opendwg replacement / data format

Why do we call it an open dwg replacement?

My view is that there is a need for a free 3d CAD Software and a free 3D Data format. These two go together. Ideally the cad package should not just resemble what existing proprietary packages do, but also contain features like novel ways of community & collaborative design work.

3D CAD Software around

• www.opencascade.org - the opencascade project provides a software stack that has many foundations for CAD/FEM/CFD Software. It was started or at least is pushed by airbus - i think to avoid vendor lock-in with long running aeroplane design projects that go on for decades. Derived from this is "salome"

• sourceforge.net/projects/avocado-cad - avoCADo was recently startet in java. It is in very early stages, aimes for cross plattform use, but i fear java the wrong choice for a demanding piece of software

• blender.org - once had the idea to fork a cad version. However CAD is mainly about 3D geometrie driven design and then deriving 2D drawing from it. Blender is about artists expressing there imagination. But - the 3D displaying technology and rendering is there, blenders interface is very theme driven, maybe a starting point.

• various (ex-commercial or unknown stage) other cad packages http://brlcad.org/, varkon.sourceforge.net/ Varkon.org, http://www.graphiteone-cad.com
• some more lists: http://linuxmafia.com/faq/Apps/cad.html

mailing lists

• http://www.freelists.org/archives/cad-linux/ - people annouce various activities around "open" cad systems.
• Open CAD format people discuss over Open CAD Format. (We would be interested in FREE CAD format accepted as standard)

We need to have a mailing list for "Free" CAD system so that we can invite more people and have faster interactions.

I feel that this "Priority" project is not gathering momentum as interested people are more of users than developers.

I do see many developers working on various GPL licensed CAD software we need to bring them on one platform to drive this project. Lets create an invitation mail which can be sent to these groups of developers/users so that they can visit FSF priority project

page of this group have already started generating an open CAD format it seems.

I also thought that collecting the information on KNOWN CAD FILE FORMATS will also help us understand how vivid these formats are hence created one section in the main wiki.

3D Design projects

... waiting for free 3D CAD to start working exchanging data

• http://theoscarproject.org
• http://openbike.org

CA[X] Distributions

• http://caelinux.org

CAD Software features

• easy clean interface to begin with, advanced features can be added by user to grow with the system (complex software - steep learning curve)
• 3D Design + 2D Drawings
• can display Part Tolerances in 3D
• internet collaboration, desktop sharing

integration with:

• versioning, branching, forking,..: CVS,
• product data and life management: PLM, PDM

outlook

3D Printers, Rapid manufacturing & tooling, and various other technologies to "grow" parts are available and will spread in the foreseeable future. Free design communities are there, much like free software communities, but lack software to design and share parts, models, etc.

DRAFT INVITATION

Here is draft of the invitation which we may send out to people known to have interest or are already developing a CAD solution under GPL.

Quote:

We understand that you are (actively involved/Interested) in CAD format freedom.

Free Software Foundation popularly known as FSF and a foundation spearheading Free Software Movement under GNU GLP license has identified the need of Free CAD Format as High priority project.

Kindly check FSF High Priority Project list at http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority.html for more information.

FSF have also created a wiki for the project at http://groups.fsf.org/index.php/OpenDWG_Replacement where you can register.

We have checked and found that there are various group working on Free & Open CAD formats and software.

In effort to converge all efforts to creation of a widely accepted standard for CAD we invite you to register and participate in this "FSF High Priority Project".

Any support would be of greatly appreciated.

UnQuote

Taking it as "High Priority" we must finalize this draft by 14th Feb and start sending them.