[cad-linux] Re: 2D vs 3D thoughts: reuse the code Luke

Comments below. 

Kim

On Sat, 2003-01-18 at 18:17, Dan Falck wrote:
> Yes, get a web site going.  Decide on a name.  But, please don't start 
> from scratch.  Another project started from scratch and it will be 
> another 10 years.

I agree with the sentiment here, but not the time frame, ie I think it
wouldn't take 10 years, but it might take a year.  Starting with
something that exists is good, provided we find structure, common sense,
etc. out there to start with.  I wasn't turned off by much of what I saw
in the Varkon code, but I haven't done anything with it either.  

> Check out what's out there and actually install some of it and try it 
> out.  

Agreed. 

> I am using Varkon again right now and having some fun with it. 

Good. How is it at 2D CAD ?  Maybe you could write up a bit about your
experience, with a few screen shots ?

> Qcad- I occasionally try to use it and kind of scratch my head about how 
> to make it do things.  

I had the same impression.  I had trouble with the UI.  I figured out
how to make circles, etc. Erasing is do able, but slow.  Moving
"objects" is clumsy. "objects" don't exist in QCAD, only groups of
lines.  

> Opencascade- I use the Draw application (which is 
> written in Tcl/Tk so that you can alter the gui to include commands that 
> aren't the default) and end up reading the source a lot.  

Tell us more.

> FreeDraft 
> (from www.freeengineer.org) I have intsalled and just played with a bit.

Again, tell us more.  Should I take one of these applications and do a
review or does someone else want to do so ? 

> If you do a search of CAD projects on sourceforge.net you will see a lot 
> of projects with nothing released yet, but there are a lot of them that 
> have applications that are pretty far along.  I check sourceforge every 
> week and it seems like there has been a lot of projects released or 
> improved greatly in the last month.  

I better go back and have a look. 

> I suspect that this is due to the 
> reuse of code - the Opencascade source code.
> My needs aren't as great as some- I just want to be able to do 2d 
> drawings and output 2-1/2D G-code to my CNC equipment.  I can probably 
> get that from working with Varkon and the MBS scripting that comes with 
> it. The HPGL to G-code converter that was released recently will 
> probably do the trick.

I've got the same sort of need.  That sounds like the base of a
project.  Lets reuse as much as possible.

How do you find the Varkon GUI ?

> Thanks,
> Dan
> 
> marrandy wrote:
> > On Saturday 18 January 2003 04:27 am, you wrote:
> <snip>
> > 
> > 
> > I run my own DNS servers.
> > 
> > Also web sites.
> > 
> > At some point in time, there has to be a move from talk to action.
> > 
> > Consolidating dead and slightly alive projects, people into one is going to 
> > have to happen, otherwise, this conversation is going to continue to 
> > happenm 
> > for the next Ten years with no end result.
> > 
> > Regards...Martin
> > 
> > 
> 
-- 
Kim Lux <lux@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

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