FreeCAD

A new open source fork called FuCad is drawing attention for reshaping FreeCAD into something resembling Autodesk's Fusion 360. The project aims to give 3D modeling and CAD users a free alternative to commercial subscription software, reorganizing FreeCAD's interface and workflow for a more Fusion-like experience. It is being shared among free software, maker and 3D modeling communities, who see it as part of the broader push for open source design tools.

A contributor has written up a research project built with FreeCAD, praising the open-source CAD software for making cutting-edge work possible that proprietary CAD firms would be unlikely to support. The post credits FreeCAD's open nature as the reason such experimentation can happen at all, and the FreeCAD project's own account amplified the write-up to its followers.

A hobbyist has 3D printed a tool holder for a 3D printer, redesigning a part originally modelled years ago in SolidWorks. Needing a modified version, they rebuilt the model in FreeCAD, calling it an easy job for the open-source CAD software. The post is drawing small attention from the 3D printing and DIY community, with some praise for FreeCAD as a free alternative to commercial design tools.

The FreeCAD community is marking its weekly FreeCAD Friday showcase while one of its volunteers is in Kosovo helping the FLOSSK team run SFK26, an open source conference taking place there today. The team says sharing and boosting of users' FreeCAD projects may be delayed, but contributors are still being encouraged to post what they are working on.

A pool owner found the robot cleaner's drive so worn that the propeller kept slipping, and responded by designing a replacement part in FreeCAD and 3D printing it. The new orange drive spins constantly and engages the propeller through a helical dog clutch, so the propeller only turns when the two parts lock together. The post shows the finished fix, drawing attention for its neat engineering approach to repair rather than replacement.

A free course on FreeCAD, the open-source 3D modelling software, takes place next Tuesday at 5pm at Werkraum Zittau, the hackerspace in Zittau, Germany. The announcement, promoted with a poster made in Inkscape, invites locals interested in open-source design tools to take part. It highlights the makerspace's regular programme of hands-on technology events open to the community.