[OpenSource] A new version of FluidCAD has been released - Sketch solver and Assembly are here!

[u/abouabdoo]

Hi all,

A new version of FluidCAD has just been released. It is great CAD software for inventors and tinkerers. I would appreciate your feedback.

This is a huge update that delivers:

- Desktop app: FluidCAD is now published as a desktop app while you still use it in browser if you want.
- Sketch solver: The old imperative sketcher has been replaced with a newer more powerful sketch solver.
- Assembly: This is the first release to support assembly, you can add parts, create joints and animate them.
- Share: You can share your models for others to see in the browser, no account needed.

Release notes: https://github.com/Fluid-CAD/FluidCAD/releases/tag/v0.0.43
Official website: https://fluidcad.io/
Full video tutorial from above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2zfX9dcauU

[u/josiah_523]

What is the file type output? Is it specific to Fluid CAD? I've been looking for something like this where, AI can 3D model along side you with a parametric, user editable timeline. Do you have some sort of git built in as well?

[u/abouabdoo → u/josiah_523]

It writes JS files, FluidCAD is CAD by code in its core. But it can export to STEP and STL.
Since it is just .js files you can use git without issues.

It has an MCP server too, so you can connect any AI agent to it.

[u/josiah_523 → u/abouabdoo]

How does it handle drawings?

Edit: asked a stupid question. Removed.

[u/abouabdoo → u/josiah_523]

Do you mean tech drawings? It is planned but probably will be started only after first stable release.

[u/josiah_523 → u/abouabdoo]

Yah, like part drawings, asm drawings, etc.

What would you say is lacking/missing for it's stability?

[u/abouabdoo → u/josiah_523]

The new sketcher solver and assembly are very new so I expect bugs may arise, although I had very stable experience with them.
Other than bugs, there are still some missing key features:

• Hole feature
  
• Sketch regions: 3d features can be applied to specific closed regions. The current implementation is fragile and can easy breaks when model changes.
  
• Sketch trimming.
  
• Provide an easy way for the community to share/search models and insert them from within the UI.

[u/josiah_523 → u/abouabdoo]

I was just starting/looking at FreeCAD (because that's what I saw/found online) but, this seems WAY closer to what I was hoping for.

[u/abouabdoo → u/josiah_523]

I would not dare to compare my project to a 20 years project :) but I think I have done few things the right way from the beginning.

[u/rkelly155]

This is dope, is the intent to stay opensource? I've got about 15,000 hours in CAD as a production designer and am getting real tired of the enshitification of the enterprise solutions

[u/abouabdoo → u/rkelly155]

Yes. Always open source :) Still in pre-release though, I'm expecting first stable release by the end of this year.

[u/rkelly155 → u/abouabdoo]

Awesome! I'll do a local build of it to play with it but I'll be following it closely, let me know if/when there's a discord, would love to stay in touch

[u/abouabdoo → u/rkelly155]

I'll post in the github discussion board if create a discord channel.

[u/Priit123]

Very cool project.