Mechanics - Free Body Diagrams

[Skootle]

Hi.

I wanted to know if there are any programs out there for linux which would allow me to create a nice 2D / 3D free body diagram, similar to the hand-sketched one I've attached.

Any suggestions as to what software I could use is appreciated!

Thanks :)

[arvevans]

Depends on what you expect from a sketching program?

"dia" is quick and easy to learn, but it has a few faults and it's support is lame.
"gimp" (Graphic Image Manipulation Program..?) is at the other end of the scale with all sort of bells and whistles and a fairly steep learning curve. Gimp has add-in's for almost anything.
"kseg" is a sketch pad for euclidean geometry.
"sketch" works from schene description language.
"open office" has drawing commands which are quite good.
"sagcad" is a full fledged CAD program.
"varkon" is a CAD system with parametric modeling.
"qcad" is a professional level CAD program.
"gmsh" is a 3D finite element mesh generator.
"pythoncad" is an easy to use CAD system.


There are many more, as you will probably hear about in subsequent posts where each user highlights his/her pet drawing program.
_._

[stumbleUpon]

xfig (http://www.xfig.org/) is another option. It is easy to use and can export into a wide range of formats.

[nebu]

id suggest blender & gimp.....

put those two together... and ull be able to model objects in 3d...

[Skootle]

thank you very much for all your suggestions!

I think I'm gonna stick to either blender + gimp or Xfig.

Thanks again :)

[crispus]

I will throw another option into the mix. Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) is a nice vector drawing package which is reminicent ov Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator. I generally use it for this kind of diagram and it works well for me.