It is C++/Qt/Python/OpenCASCADE, runs on Linux, Windows, Mac.
Pretty low compromise in terms of portability; surprisingly good on Mac, has ARM support. I think on FreeBSD/OpenBSD as well via ports.
It is a bRep GUI CAD system with 2D drafting, 3D CAD, a technical drawing workbench, FEM, mesh tools etc., and now a core CAD assembly tool. It has a "workbench" (think GUI plugins for specific task) approach, supports macro recording of Python macros, has many third-party workbenches, It is constraints-based and fully parametric: designs recompute and reflow when underlying measurements change.
It's also a 20 year labour of love by a bunch of CAD users.
If you are familiar with QGIS, it's really a lot like that but for CAD. It's less like GIMP than some people say, but it is a bit like GIMP (and like GIMP, is in a long battle with a core architectural problem; FreeCAD 1.0 includes a big victory over its worst core problem)
Thank you, that's all very good information. I was just a little frustrated because none of that was discoverable either in the announcement linked from HN, or their home page.
Apologies, it appears the error is mine. Since there wasn't a link to the home page on the announcement, I edited the link to remove everything after the site. But that took me to the blog home, not the site home.
Ah, that explains it. Yeah, the next version of the website will integrate the blog into the main website. So navigation shouldn't be a problem anymore.
> Yes, that part's obvious just by the name. But what OS does it run on, or does it run in the browser?
The 'download now' button is right on the home page above the fold. When you click it, you see three huge icons for window, linux and macos. Not sure how you could've missed that, but it's there.
Neither Fusion nor SolidWorks mention supported operating systems on their respective homepages. That doesn't seem to present an issue, eh? :)
As for your other points, FreeCAD's homepage does explain what this software can do. It says what this software is right on the first screen. You can scroll down past the first screen to see more info. Even more info is on the Features page that is right in the main menu at the top.
I mean, we can argue about the amount of information, but the basics are all right there for you, in very obvious places, no?
Incidentally, a new (and better) website is in the works.
