dummy-proof FreeCAD

[JayJohnson]

I'm sorry all, but as a scientist and engineer, who loves linux and "alternative-to" apps - it does not hold a candle to the pricy competition.

1) "Constraints" are a great concept, but I can't select the lines and points I need to constrain.

2) There is no clear workflow to make a part. Numerous workflow paths are "dead ends" - leading to bugs that require rebuilding from scratch. For example, sketch -> extrude -> array OR sketch -> array -> extrude? That is just a simple example of the difficulty I have encountered.

3) The sketcher engine desperately needs infinite construction lines and a way to specify which side I am talking about.

It is not intuitive, and I am ready to give up...sorry all. Please, please, please, make it more dummy-proof.

[PrzemoF]

Hi and welcome to the forum! I really hope that as scientist and engineer you'll be able to help use make FreeCAD better.

There is a discussion on the forum about being "intuitive", so i don't want to repeat it here, but it boils down to what you already know. I guess you tried to crack FreeCAD without watching too many tutorials? It's like trying to use Microstation when you're AutoCAD specialist - it can drive you mad (I've been there, I've done that) just because the workflow is completely different. I have to agree that FreeCAD is a bit chaotic at times, but hey, fill a bug report to help make it better!

Can we talk in details about your problems one-by-one?
1. What do you mean you can't select line and point?
2. There are many ways to skin the cat, I don't believe there will ever be "one way". Post an example and the forum will tell you how to do it. Over time you'll know which way is the best.
3. Any special case where you need it?

P.S. Please edit the title of the topic...

[chrisb]

You should correct the typo in your subject and replace "SUCKS" with "ROCKS". Back to normal: 3D parametric modeling is inherently complicated. It cannot be dummy proof. You really have to take the time to learn at least the basics. As far as sketcher is concerned you may have a look at my sketcher document.

Your post is very general so it is difficult to help. If you want to model something special, tell us about it. Ask for a way how to model, and you will get different proposals. For once try them all, decide what fits your preferences and for your next model you can ask more specific questions. This forum is very responsive, if you ask for help, you get it. Fast.

[jpg87]

I'm sorry all, but as a scientist and engineer, ... it does not hold a candle to the pricy competition.
... There is no clear workflow to make a part. Numerous workflow paths are "dead ends"...
It is not intuitive ...

Hello,
I find it difficult to accept such comments as thousands of users find their account in FreeCAD.
What software do you usually use? In which domain ?
What do you expect from such a tool ?
Have you tested several tutorials? Which ?

[easyw-fc]

I'm sorry all, but as a scientist and engineer, who loves linux and "alternative-to" apps - it does not hold a candle to the pricy competition.

It is hard to believe you are really sorry because of your post's title.

It is not intuitive, and I am ready to give up...sorry all. Please, please, please, make it more dummy-proof.

It is impossible, as someone already pointed out, to make a 3d cad modeller 'dummy-proof' and you, as a 'scientist and engineer', should know it. BTW, said so, there is much room to improve the user experience ... It will take time and man power dedicated to this. You may consider to give your contribution and change your post title

[Kunda1]

What a very calculated, empirical, and methodical conclusion you have reached and brought to the table in a constructive, well researched fashion for us to spend time reading and replying to. Trully, it gives science a solid representation.
<sarcasm />

[Opus]

as a scientist and engineer

What a clever engineer then!

[PrzemoF]

Lads, no personal trips please. The OP was venting frustration and I'm sure many FreeCAD users had a similiar experience as his at some stage. Me included.

[easyw-fc]

Lads, no personal trips please. The OP was venting frustration and I'm sure many FreeCAD users had a similiar experience as his at some stage. Me included.

Agree, but he made it in a very wrong way IMO. That is why he is getting this back...

[PrzemoF]

Lads, no personal trips please. The OP was venting frustration and I'm sure many FreeCAD users had a similiar experience as his at some stage. Me included.

Agree, but he made it in a very wrong way IMO. That is why he is getting this back...

Yes, I understand that. Still I hope for a cooperation from both sides to make FreeCAD better. A frustrated technical user might be really good at pointing weak points. Sometimes there are false positives, but he has a fresh view and we should try to capture as much useful info from his comments as possible.