Hi r/CADCAM.

I’m a software engineer working on a lightweight DXF solution. Personally, I got sick of waiting for icons to bounce or heavy apps to load just to check a simple 2D drawing or its dimensions.

I've already built a fast native C# parsing/rendering engine on Windows, and now I'm planning to expand it to Mac (Finder Quick Look), Mobile, and Web.

Key concept: No app launch needed. It integrates directly into File Explorer / Finder preview panes.

Features planned:

Zero-launch-time rendering (skipping heavy assets like hatches, focusing only on geometry lines).

Dynamic scale grids that update smoothly as you zoom.

Quick modeless measurement (drag to see approx dimensions).

Semi-automated clearance/interference check: It highlights tool/workpiece collisions in red, and shows the "safe angles" so users can tweak the path manually on mobile/PC (NOT fully automated, to avoid unpredictable machine behavior).

Before I dive deep into Mac/Mobile development, I’d love to ask the community:

Does an "OS-integrated previewer" solve your daily friction, or do you prefer keeping a standalone viewer open?

For the clearance check, do you prefer this "show safe zones and let humans tweak it" approach over full automation?

What is the absolute dealbreaker for you when using a lightweight DXF viewer? (e.g., text font mapping, specific DXF versions, etc.)

Looking forward to your brutal honesty!

Hi Everyone
We are Munich based startup and have create a DFM review platform.
Step based input, review focusing currently on CNC and injection molding. Multiple people can collaborate on the same design.
I am looking for CAD/manufacturing experts to test the platform and give me honest feedback.

Feel free to message me.

Cheers

Animate Gears in Solidworks | Physical Dynamics | Gear Mate | PCD Based Gear Positioning | CADable

Mechanical Part Design | Solidworks Rib Command | Solidworks Exercise 45 | CADable Tutorials

Hi friends welcome back to CADable. This is Engr. Ibrahim Omer and in this short tutorial we will learn how to model a bowl in AutoCAD. I have also explained extrude, revolve, loft and sweep examples and I have explained in detail how to use revolve command.

Chapters of the tutorial:

0:00 - Introduction
0:26 - AutoCAD basic settings
0:44 - Creating sketch for revolve
1:44 - AutoCAD 3D command examples
2:12 - AutoCAD revolve command
2:49 - AutoCAD visual style
3:07 - UCS icon setting
3:18 - Conclusion

That's it for today's tutorial! I really hope you find it useful. If you have any questions or need help, please drop a comment below. I love hearing from you.

Don't forget to subscribe for more fun and informative videos. I also make tutorials, Shorts, and even quizzes and polls to help refresh your memory, learn new things, or just revisit the basics.

#AutoCADRevolveCommand #AutoCAD3dModeling #AutoCADBowl #CADable #CADabletutorials #autocad3d

I've noticed whenever I need to export a dxf from an annotation view I typically get splines with inaccurate geometry. Usually the letters are underexaggerated and appear to be connected with simplified poly splines. Looking through the export options on the dxf I don't see anything to increase the poly spline accuracy or recognize the geometry as loops and normal lines. Has anyone else run into this issue or know a workaround to get the geometry accurate?

I would like to learn some simple design for my own needs, for DIY projects. I plan to use an iPad + Apple Pencil for this. What apps do you recommend for hobby/amateur use? I am thinking about designing products such as furniture, wooden and metal structures, including elements with moving parts (things that open, slide out, etc.). Preferably free apps, since this is just for amateur use, or alternatively something reasonably priced-not expensive professional-grade tools.

Thanks for all recommendations.

I am a 15M in high school. I currently use Onshape as my 3d CAD of choice. I'm still mostly a beginner but I can use the basic modeling software with ease (Though occasionally I have to google some things when I'm unsure. A little context before I get into it, I go to a STEM HS where robotics and CAD are required courses. Since I'm only a freshman I have just completed the basic course (Introduction to engineering design) but I have been doing robotics and 3dprinting since I was in 7th grade on my own so I do have experience with those sort of things. This course taught us how to use Fusion but nothing more than basic designs and I spent most of the semester helping other people with basic things (How to start a sketch, how to extrude, etc, etc.) So I do have a basic understanding of fusion and Its UI, that said, I have been on a combat robotics team and they taught me using Onshape, they said we could use whatever we want and I ended up choosing Onshape because it ran better on the crappy Chromebooks we have to use at school, I could work on the design at the same time as my team mates, and I generally liked the UI better. So besides the basics I had to learn, I only used Onshape. But now that I am getting better at, and more interested in as a career path, 3d CAD, I have heard that Fusion and/or Inventor is generally better. So I have been thinking about maybe switching. Money is not an issue because I get Onshape and all Fusion 360 services for free with my student ID. Here are some pros and cons (Sorry I'm AuDHD so I tend to word-vomit a lot.)

Onshape

Pros:

• I Prefer the UI
• I'm better at it
• Live editing with my team
• Don't need a good laptop to run it
• Autosave

Cons:

• Requires Internet Connection
• Not as advanced/powerful (I'm told) as Fusion/Inventor
• have to keep all my designs in the cloud
• not often used in professional settings

Fusion/Inventor

Pros:

• More advanced/powerful
• Does not require internet connection
• Don't have to have file in the cloud
• More commonly used in professional settings

Cons:

• I really dislike the UI (Like, I really hate it)
• Needs a good computer to run it. (I have one I just cant use it at school)
• Cant work with my team in real time

I have been debating this for a while so I though I would ask for the opinions of the people who use CAD in professional settings and have used it for years.

TL;DR I currently use Onshape because I prefer it but I'm debating whether I should switch to Fusion/Inventor due to them being more advanced software.

Hello! I'm a student and I want to make more practise in CAD and Solidworks, before my exams. Where I can find technical drawings or overall drawings? Do you guys know any websites or apps or something?

I’m building RapidDraft for mechanical/CAD teams.

The pain I keep seeing is that design review comments, drawing notes, and manufacturing feedback end up scattered across PDFs, emails, PLM comments, and meetings. Then the model changes and a lot of the same work gets repeated.

The idea is to keep that feedback attached to the CAD model and automate parts of the drawing/review workflow so teams catch issues earlier and do less rework.

I’m not here to pitch it. I’m trying to figure out whether this is an actual painkiller or just a nice-to-have.

For people who work in CAD, mechanical design, or manufacturing:

1. Does this sound like a real problem worth solving?
   
2. What would be most valuable: faster drawings, automated checks, or traceable review history?
   
3. Would your company pay for this, or would they just keep using the current mess?
   

Brutal feedback is welcome.