3D CAD/CAM software

[Dungeon_Beast]

I am looking for 3D CAD/CAM software that runs on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS. I am doing modelling for jewellery production 3D printing. I would like to stay away from windows based modelling systems. Does anyone have any suggestions for 3D CAD / CAM software that would run well on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS?

[Dungeon_Beast]

Am I really the only 3D artist on here?

[nomko]

NO, but not in jewellery business. I work as a Piping Engineer at a company that designs and builds drilling ships, ship cranes (300 mT and more), pipe lay ships, cable lay ships, stone dumping solutions, etc in The Netherlands. As far as i know, there's not much for a solution for 3D CAD/CAM tools.
The only solution i can provide is this link:
http://www.google.nl/search?hl=nl&lr=&as_qdr=all&q=%22CAD%2FCAM+for+Linux%22&oq=%22CAD%2FCAM+for+Linux%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=34655l34655l0l1l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l

Maybe you can find something there to help you.
Good luck!

[prokoudine]

Everyone uses Blender and prints at Shapeways, I guess

[nomko]

Everyone uses Blender and prints at Shapeways, I guess

Blender is a good 3D vector program, but i think the topic starter is aiming for a 3D CAD program with CAM options.

[Grenage]

I have yet to see a good* CAD program for Linux.

*Good is obviously subjective.

[nomko]

I have yet to see a good* CAD program for Linux.

*Good is obviously subjective.

Absolutly true!

[Dungeon_Beast]

Yes, I am looking for CAD / CAM to do jewellery design for 3D printing and casting. I really don't want to go back to ******* if I can avoid it.

[nomko]

Yes, I am looking for CAD / CAM to do jewellery design for 3D printing and casting. I really don't want to go back to ******* if I can avoid it.

I don't think there's a solution for you. The only thing you can do is run Windows in a virtual machine like VirtualBox and then install the necessary tools you need for your design work. Like it was said here before, there's not even a pretty good 2D CAD program for Linux.

[nomko]

I totall agree with this idea. But sometimes, it is objective.

Ofcource good is objective. What you think of as good can be for me total trash. But the whole sentence is: I have yet to see a good* CAD program for Linux. This means that the poster must have seen some CAD programs for Linux but isn't satisfied with it. For some others the available CAD tools for Linux can be sufficient for what they do and requirer. For me, as piping engineer at a special off-shore equipment builder, the available CAD software for Linux does not meet my standards. So, basicly, yes, good is an objective statement.

But this doesn't help the topic starter, so please back ontopic ;)

[robert shearer]

Am I really the only 3D artist on here?

No there's lots and lots.:D

But most are not jewellers and may not know exactly what you are searching for.
As a fellow jeweller who has been searching for just such an application to run under Linux since 2006 I am sorry to say that there is nothing that will satisfy.:(

though hope springs eternal....

[Dungeon_Beast]

Oh well. it was worth a try. I guess I'll just set up a windows box and let the vile microsoft back into my world.
*shudders at the thought*

[Ken UK]

I have yet to see a good* CAD program for Linux.

*Good is obviously subjective.

I found a good 2D one the other day, Draftsight. Its only 2D so no god for the thread starter but is similar to AutoCAD and is free.

It has a version especially for Ubuntu and works great on my computer.

[robert shearer]

To the O/P,
You have probably already seen this system but I have linked it for completeness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

In terms of creating a model for casting this 3d printing option may be useful for a craftsperson on a budget, especially one with computing/electronics aptitude.

The trade off would seem to be the time needed to research and build the printer, though kits appear to be had from the second link.