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FreeCAD

About

FreeCAD is an open source tool similar to Fusion 360 that provides solid modeling tools as well as several workbenches that add functionality. I really prefer to use open-source tools whenever possible and this is turning into a pretty solid alternative to Fusion360. I don't ever expect to use a single tool all of the time, but this is my main program.

Experience

The main issue with FreeCAD until recently (late 2024) is a well known problem with all parametric CAD packages. Different software vendors solve this problem in different, usually proprietary, ways. The “topological naming problem” is an issue that occurs when a feature that is referenced by later features is changed. Changing a feature changes its internal name which breaks dependent features. The solution to this problem is heuristics that make an educated guess as to the desired outcome.

I have spent a lot of time wrestling with this problem while using FreeCAD and am glad that the initial fix is out. I think this will make investing more time in FreeCAD worth it and am planning on moving most of my modeling into FreeCAD and away from Fusion360.