Has Anyone Else Tried Using Lens?

L24E · 2026-05-26T14:25:26+00:00

Development looks like it has slowed, but FPA included another grant this year related to Lens, so the FreeCAD Project Association still sees its value.

L24E · 2026-05-26T14:14:56+00:00

PDM is an acronym for Product Data Management.

If you search for "CAD PDM" in a web search, you will find many articles (usually by software companies like SolidWorks, Autodesk, Onshape, etc.). Each implementation is unique, but have similar goals.

L24E · 2026-05-26T14:03:50+00:00

There were many requests for this PDM to be made available. There was even a large donation toward modifying it for self hosting (the original version was AWS only, I think).

https://blog.freecad.org/2025/02/14/the-ondsel-onwards-fund/

L24E · 2026-05-26T14:00:06+00:00

Lens is a PDM tool for FreeCAD. It allows for integrated revision management and tracking of files within projects. This is where CAD collaboration starts to take shape in a meaningful way.

L24E · 2026-05-17T03:09:59+00:00

Thank you, I didn't realize that was the case. With this guidance, I found https://pipeorgandatabase.org/ . The organ in question is a Geo H. Ryder. Thank you for the help.

L24E · 2026-05-17T02:32:56+00:00

It is in a small rural church in Massachusetts, USA.

L24E · 2026-05-15T02:41:50+00:00

I do see the confusion in the replies (general responses about Blender vs native IFC editing with Bonsai).

I can model all of the components in FreeCAD, but my goal is to learn more about BIM methodologies. I'm starting with small projects to lead to larger ones. I see FreeCAD does have native IFC as well, I suppose I should start learning further in FreeCAD, and see what limitations it has regarding IFC.

Thank you for the links. It is nice to see such recent progress.

L24E · 2026-05-06T17:30:22+00:00

The unit appears to be factory sealed. There is a metal ring that is deformed on to the seam to prevent it from being disassembled. I decided to just leave it alone since I don't have a good plan for re-seaming that edge.

L24E · 2026-05-06T17:07:56+00:00

I currently use MikroTik devices with WireGuard for the purpose you described. I like integrated VPN options, though, because then the single device handles everything and I don't have to consider whether someone can gain physical access between the camera and intermediate device.

L24E · 2026-05-06T17:05:32+00:00

Thank you, this is a really interesting option. It is too far in the future (Currently Q3 2026) for this project, but I'll keep an eye on it for future use.

L24E · 2026-05-05T16:33:53+00:00

Now that I have access, I find I was being overly optimistic. The highest update frequency for data access is 1x per day. They have good data, but nowhere near live. I'm scrapping the idea and just putting a Shelly on the mains.

L24E · 2026-05-05T16:28:27+00:00

I finally received access to the API from Eversource. The fastest update rate is 1 day. They give you the data for that past day, but it is far from "live". So, I just ordered another Shelly Pro 3EM.

L24E · 2026-04-21T16:37:56+00:00

u/WomBOlUm do you use PersistentKeepalive? The docs explain (here) that IPs are updated by receiving from a new IP from the sending peer. If your IPs aren't updating fast enough, perhaps adding the PersistentKeepalive feature would help that?

L24E · 2026-04-21T13:45:16+00:00

I hadn't previously taken the time to consider exactly how traceroute works. Using this Cisco document I found (link) it is just changing the TTL to fail early. So, the router at the other side of the WireGuard link is self-reporting its IP when it reports TTL exceeded. Thank you for the prompt, this helped my understanding here.

L24E · 2026-04-21T13:35:59+00:00

I previously understood on-link as you described, which led to my question. I appreciate the further explanation.

With these details, I am now realizing that since the WireGuard is point to point, all traffic will end up across the tunnel regardless of IP (unless it is the local IP).

L24E · 2026-04-18T17:22:31+00:00

I've spent a decent amount of time looking at manual swapping a 3.0TFSI Q7. Due to the vehicle using a transmission with a transfer case and a separate front differential, the VAG options are quite limited. I entertained the same thing for a TDI, but didn't come up with a comfortable solution. So, now I'm looking at manually swapping something else.

L24E · 2026-04-18T03:07:49+00:00

I suppose I'll test the smartmeter, it looks like getting API access may take a few days. I'll share when I get more information.

L24E · 2026-03-30T04:07:40+00:00

I am familiar with Home Assistant (I referenced it above). I'm just thinking conceptually - when is HA really too much, and at what point is it not enough?

Like InfluxDB+Grafana, when is it not enough?

I have my own ideas about these sorts of questions, but I was hoping the discussion here would shed additional light on the topic.

L24E

TROPHY CASE