FOSSPicks
Computer-aided design
SolveSpace
The 3D printing revolution has brought many more users to the world previously dominated by engineers: computer-aided design (CAD). It's a world where software seldom moves rapidly: Many applications like LibreCAD, QCad, FreeCAD, or the proprietary VariCAD, would see intermittent releases, often over a period of years. 3D printing has upped the pace on some of the projects, and that's true of SolveSpace, which has just been awoken from its slumber to add high-DPI support. SolveSpace doesn't usually get mentioned alongside other CAD applications, but it should. SolveSpace, as its name implies, is a parametric modeler, as opposed to a direct modeler. Parametric means the relationship between each element is mathematical, rather than hand drawn, despite mouse or controller manipulation of the various points and lines in your model during the design phase. The result is exacting and formulaic designs that are ideal for manufacturing.
There are too many important features to list, but objects can be created using lines, rectangles, datum lines, and points. You can draw curves, arcs, and scalable vector text, which can be saved, too. Solid models can then be extruded and processed with boolean operations before measuring factors such as volume or internal area. Its best feature is the property browser, which lists all the items in your scene and allows them to be selected and then manipulated as groups. Because it's parametric, this manipulation is mostly visual, as you decide how grouped elements are shown, from the line types that connect them to the way normals are displayed. It's always clear and easy to see what's going on and to get a good insight into your model's construction. And it now looks great on high-DPI displays, too!
Project Website
DX7 emulator
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.