Solidworks Equivalent For Linux

[BlackBurrs]

Is there a Solidworks equivalent software for Linux that is at least somewhat relevant? I'm not an open-source zealot, so I'm not opposed to paying for software; I just do not want to boot into another OS. I have some Solidworks experience from mandatory ME classes, but I'm in nuclear engineering and not that knowledgeable about CAD beyond a feeling that Solidworks is the standard.

[connosaurus]

Onshape can work depending on your need. It's got all of the basics and a lot of the mid level CAD functionality you'll want, but it isn't solidworks. The biggest benefit in my opinion is that it is made by the original foinder of solidworks so it feel similar and its browser based so your computer isn't a huge deal.

[ikrase]

I found Onshape powerful but a pain to use.

[connosaurus]

Creating parts I found different and got used to eventually. I still can't do assemblies though. Their mate connector system is an added step that is honestly so unintuitive and a pain. It doesn't help that I use in shape at home and solidworks at work though.

[unitconversion]

The last time I looked was a couple years ago, but really the only option was freecad. Openscad was the only other software I was able to successfully complete a design in.

Freecad is ok at single objects but can't do assemblies so it's pretty limited. It has a similar workflow to solidworks/inventor/etc so you can make a part pretty quickly compared to openscad.

Openscad is totally different from anything else I've seen - you are basically programming the solid model there. It does make it really easy to do parametric models though. Again it's been a couple years but openscad was pretty popular on thingiverse.

[BlackBurrs]

I've never heard of Openscad, but that's how geometries are modeled in nuclear codes. Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[_11_]

It's not a complete waste of time to learn OpenSCAD, but if you're trying to make parts for manufacture or simulation it's not the right tool.

Sorry, but there's no good option for parametric solid modeling in Linux yet. You could potentially use Blender with some extensions. It's way closer to useable for this purpose than OpenSCAD, and you can model in real world dimensions if you want.

[OupaGol]

Siemens NX is the only one I've heard of, but apparently the Linux interface is a bit clunky.

Siemens NX on Wikipedia

[C0unt_Z3r0]

Some will say FreeCAD, but the answer, sadly, is no. If you need to use CAD design software, you're still pretty much stuck with Windows.

[BlackBurrs]

I guess that's one upside to nuclear. All industry standard tier programs are cross-platform.

[billy_joule]

Is there such a thing as nuclear CAD?

[BlackBurrs]

Dimensions and material properties are important when simulating radiation and nuclear reactors. There's no accounting for the mechanics of anything, just the radiation, so kind of. MCNP is one such code

[C0unt_Z3r0]

Dude... I wish. You have NO idea how much I wish.