So, a couple years ago, somebody published the 2017 free desktop client of SketchUp on the chocolatey repos, and I managed to snag it before it got taken down. I use it primarily to make woodworking plans.

I’m wrapping up my transition plan to Linux, but I’m not really up to date on SketchUp alternatives. The only ones I know of are Blender (afaik more for animation and 3D printing) and FreeCAD (CAD seems like overkill, since I’m just doing simple cuts and joinery).

Are there good Linux/FOSS alternatives to SketchUp that have similar features, or is the web client the only reasonable option?

  • Vik@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    For basic parts / geometry, I think FreeCAD will serve you decently well. There are several nice tutorial series for FC on YouTube and adjacent platforms.

    Def stick to dedicated CAD software for your use case, though. You can technically use something like Inkscape for technical illustrations but I think it would become a bit of a battle. If all you need is 2D design, maybe LibreCAD or QCAD will work?

    • Telorand@reddthat.comOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      2 months ago

      I really need the 3D modeling. I could do it in 2D, but at that point, I’d almost rather just draw it by hand.

      I’ll look at some FC tutorials.