CAD Sketcher VS Precision Modeling In Blender 3.2

[@bill392]

A cool feature for CAD Sketcher would be if it would draw unconstrained elements in a different color. I often see you grabbing and moving elements to see how they react in order to determine where the lack of constraint is. I think in FreeCAD, elements turn green when they are fully constrained. Maybe make them turn purple or something if they are over-constrained.

[@espyespy]

Forward this to the developers

[@larsbirgerbergmal6230]

Another freecad feature wanted because blender handles computing better than freecad xD

[@MikkoRantalainen]

100% agree! I've been learning to use Fusion 360 and you pretty soon learn to see the difference between blue and black lines with that and it's really fast method in the end. However, for anything that's not CAD, the Fusion 360 feels very limited compared to Blender so the best of both world would be Blender with CAD Sketcher extended towards the feature set of Fusion 360.

[@davids9027]

I like the idea of color coded constraints

[@oootoob]

It's not just about speed though - workflow and parametric control are as much about quality, convenience and editability

[@AlvaroALorite]

Geometry nodes could be used for that, no?

[@MrAlziepen]

@@AlvaroALorite Yes you could, but just working with nodes is intimidating to people who are just getting into 3d. Ideally what I'd use the most would be a remake of this addon, but have hotkeys call on pre made geometry node groups which would have parametric CAD behavior, like fillets, chamfers, faster Boolean functionality, and a timeline history to edit sketches.

[@bill392]

At 12:15, the reason the bevel didn't work correctly is because you need to first join the two vertices (on the vertical face on YZ that's facing us and the same on the back side), at the base of the left-hand single arm. After the bevel, the shading looks wonky but to fix it, go into "Object Data Properties" -> "Geometry Data" and "Clear custom split normals". The bevel operation creates some extra edges all in the same plane so just use "Loop Tools" -> "Limited Dissolve" to get rid of them. If my description of where the new edge should be is unclear, I noticed that the red line (x axis) is actually pointing to exactly where the new edge line should be.

[@joepbord7777]

CAD Sketcher (and BPM) is realy a fantastic development which makes Blender very interesting for architects, urban designers and product designers /engineers. I would suggest to write letters to all architectural offices to ask for contribution. If they can get rid of al those killing licenses for CAD and BIM software and instead pay for the development of Blender open source, it would be in their own favour. Students from Delft Technical University (in The Blenderlands) use very often Blender although they get a free student license for Solidworks. It appeared that Blender is faster to work with. But precision modeling is/was not the strongest side of Blender. This seems to change now. Hope you continue this marvelous work!

[@denieltonn]

I swear to god, I thought "precision modeling" was the name of some tool, but it's just precision modeling, literally. Great video.

[@FunDumb]

The ability to seamlessly change the dimension is awesome.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Long term NURBS surface and paramatric CAD modeler here. It's always interesting to see different approaches in different modeling environment. Objects like this are so much easier in most CAD software; that's what they, software and objects, are meant to do. I can model this in Solidworks in under 2 minutes without using keyboard shortcuts, and any dimension change or adding chamfer is no problem at all. However, to model something organic, a realistic apple for example, is next to impossible in Solidworks.

[@jamesbrown8766]

I’m a newbie with Blender and hope to find a happy medium between CAD and 3D modeling. This is my first exposure to CAD Sketcher. Although it might be a little slower to use, the workflow appears to be more intuitive for those, like me, who are more familiar with CAD than with Blender. I would definitely be interested in some courses that teach CAD Sketcher. Awesome video. Thanks.

[@HP-jl5ts]

Yes, definitely add CAD Sketcher courses now!

[@rickybobbyracing9106]

Great video. I'm getting tired of using tools like onshape for making 3d printable items. Not saying it doesn't work well, but i always run into something I don't like. Plus, i am always going to choose an open source tool over a closed source one when i can.

[@contra_plano]

I use freecad... it is a little harder, but for easy tasks a make everything

[@James-on1vy]

Definitely check out freecad. It holds up against solidworks and fusion 360

[@LFANS2001]

FreeCAD 0.22 DEV version is reaching stability and facing the 1.0 version target. Only 35 issues are still open before being named as FreeCAD Version 1.0 and maybe in August 2024 will be released.

[@arkoprovo1996]

CAD Sketcher is wonderful. Please do. It's so awesome to get that workflow. Easier on the mind really.

[@totila42]

I love this extension, thank you. For your bevel issue in precision modelling, apply all modifiers then try by adding a bevel modifier, changing Limit Method from Angle to Weight, then in edit mode select edges you want to bevel and adjust their Bevel Weight in Item -> Edge Data to 1.0. Of course it isn't the same thing than having parametric modifiers ...

[@HermanvanBoeijen]

When you’re “vertically” constraining points, you’re actually moving them horizontally, and vice versa. Please hear me out: they need to be switched 😅 You can still move a “vertically constrained” point in the vertical direction, which I would call a horizontal constraint, as its still “free” vertically, not horizontally. Please have a look? Loving cad sketcher! ❤

[@ASMics]

I'd love to use CAD Sketcher instead too, regardless the time. It's more convenient but there has to be more tutorials.

[@3DRabbitHole]

Have to say, the best idea is to make videos showing how to incorporate the cad sketcher in the knowledge of blender precision modeling and how can it help for specific designs.

[@pleochroic]

FWIW, I wouldn't add CAD Sketcher to your courses yet, but instead continue to make short videos whenever it updates in some significant way, and reference those. The reason is that tutorials have a much longer lifespan than the CAD Sketcher development cycle right now, and you're gonna get a lot of confused people in every tutorial since it will likely already have changed again since you made that tutorial. I'd wait until it's more mature.

[@kadabra8]

Вау! Ти такий крутий🔥 Твої навички володіння Блендером вражають👏

[@rasicule]

I am having fun as a newbie making functional objects in blender. That said, you are a freaking machine. I will have to watch some of your instructional videos.

[@shadowr2d2]

Thank you for posting this video. You have a new subscriber. Keep up the great work.

[@RuneRelic]

I'd regularly toy with it until 1.0 I wouldnt go full course yet. It is looking great so far.

[@davids9027]

Finally, I've found an intelligent description of how to use Cad Sketcher. Thank you very much for this video. I'm excited about the possibility of your making further tutorials for Sketcher but hate to see you take the extra effort of remaking tutorials when 1.0 comes out.

[@Gigaloader]

Each edge can have its own bevel weight when it is a mesh object. Also to adjust any edge length - just divide by existing length and multiply by the value of the new length. Now it becomes really interesting when each object is made up of multiply objects and is constrained /parented together with vertex assignments. Which enables the vertex mesh model to be CAD like editable to the end. Stock blender can do CAD like precision modeling very nicely its just a matter of thinking about it differently.

[@sylpisophiasforge162]

Yes, even thought CAD Sketcher may take a bit longer, I still think the feature is cool. I'm looking forward seeing it as a fully matured addon. I'll probably try it out myself in the future. 😁 I'd love to see more videos about CAD Sketcher :)

[@timwatz2330]

I'm incredibly hyped for this feature.

[@gottagowork]

I think I'll stick with Solidworks, since I use it for work :) It's all nice and dandy when you have tangents going off in cardinal directions. How would they handle tangents connecting different diameters, varied angle arcs, ellipses, curves and splines and so on? Having to deal with vert counts looks like a nightmare.

[@stevenrogerfineart5866]

A zillion dollar program for one task versus a FREE program that can be used for just about anything :P

[@FuriousImp]

Yeah I don´t see how the cost can be justified. I just looked it up. DUDE you can buy a car from that kind of money. It´s crazy

[@Dragon-mv6vy]

@@stevenrogerfineart5866 Over and over the blender users about this free nonsens.... Make a project of a bridge in blender, that will be constructed in your local town, and if something breaks or it will fall you're dead, all the bs about free blender ends there, very simple.

[@Dragon-mv6vy]

@@FuriousImp This is for professionals not for people that do nothing, as the dude said you barelly can do a bevel....

[@gottagowork]

​@@Dragon-mv6vy Well, I do use Blender too. Also for same professional work. Solidworks (Standard, which is what my company can afford) can't render, like at all, isn't well suited for modelling the stuff I tend to render (putting our stuff into large office venues) and showing the big picture to potential customers. But I would never consider Blender as a proper tool - not even FreeCAD - to do the stuff we send to manufacturers for production, quality assurance, stress calculations, cost analysis, weight and other physical properties we need, sheet metal work, frames with cutlists, assembly drawings and so on. Just the fact that Blender can't to proper NURBS surfaces and blending/trimming of such, automatically disqualifies it for doing any precision work. With no parasolid kernel Blender can never serve that purpose. No bevels (Blender users don't know what a bevel is, pretty much everything I see use horrible C1 continuity because it's the default and most wouldn't know what I'm even talking about here), no tangent lines off any curve point even, no curvature combs, and so on. Blender is great, and I love it, but each tool for their intended work. Blender could never replace Solidworks. But the opposite is also true.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

CAD Sketcher sure looks promising. It would need improved bewel tools or ability to specify vertex or edge groups via the CAD tools so you could apply whatever effects you want to do to those vertexes and edges. Combined with geometry nodes, that would allow very powerful workflows.

[@mix-up9003]

you can do a non-destructive chamfer if you used Boxtcutter and Hardops payed addons that are precise

[@LightCarver]

Don't forget Machin3tools, which is free. Also MESHmachine, not free but truly incredible.

[@francoc1453]

awesome, i was looking for something like this, very well explained and the test or comparisson really nice!! tyvm!

[@fprumbau]

Maybe you are faster taking the precision modeling way, for me it's the other way around. CAD Sketcher for me is way more intuitive. It would be great to have your course integrate CAD Sketcher even if it would not be free. Although there are still quite a few limitations in CAD Sketcher but to see your workarounds helps me a lot understanding the fundamentals. Thank you for your very helpful courses, you are certainly a great instructor!

[@kraphik3d]

You are a good solid modeler. This is better that polygonpen in cinema 4d cad modeling.

[@shoeoffhead3692]

Will CAD Sketcher ever be able to improve the bevel situation? I feel like the main problem with precision modelling is bevels. Maybe one should also note, that better bevels would be nice, but it isn't a deal-breaker.

[@LuisElectronico]

it is a deal-breaker for many, freecad is a good alternative to expensive cad programs and, it's free.

[@videopilot1719]

The problem now is that you basically leave CAD Sketcher and move to Blender modifiers right after the 2D stage. Technically still parametric, but not all within CAD Sketcher. The only way I can see this improving is if CAD Sketcher eventually incorporates the 3D processes of extruding sketches and booleaning them into the tool itself, and allowing selection of generated 3D edges to apply bevels to, finally generating a mesh from there. Not impossible, but probably a long way off.

[@vibe4394]

@@videopilot1719 Agreed. I went into this assuming it had 3d capabilities. Kind of disappointed it doesn't - as of yet at least.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

I think the solution in long run would be to allow CAD Sketcher to mark edges and vertices from the CAD sketch into different edge and vertex groups and then apply additional stuff like bevels using geometry nodes.

[@riccardogarzelli]

I think the powerful aspect of CADSk would be on a complex polyline with extrusion into a solid object (aka "a la" FreeCAD) and so making the architect job so much easier because that complex polyline may be an outside wall...

[@daniilnoun8262]

Hey! I am really enjoying your videos and the plugin itself. Could you do some architectural modelling using the Sketcher? I would really like to see how it performs in this area.

[@JaredChilders]

As someone who has learned cad precision modelling and Blender from your KZbin courses, I would be excited if you added it immediately. I would probably watch right away and worry about the changes in development later. It's your time commitment, though, so trust you to gauge timing based on the speed at which development is progressing.

[@dudearlo]

wow, thats just like CAD :D all we need now are those robust solid-works tools :D

[@chickenoodle3397]

Looks really good for block outs

[@hfprojectcreation8410]

How to SlvsLine2D sir?

[@man_art_man]

man its just so incradable! awesome! love it!!! greate JOB! thanks!

[@lil.shaman6384]

coming from auto cad the cad sketcher seems alot more familiar to me, but the chamfer and bezels is all it needs to be a complete replacement. maybe some more quality of life features in the future but for the basics I'm gana give it a shot.

[@garrykraemer8993]

Add free courses now! Cad Sketcher appears to be a awesome tool!

[@konstantinpopov29]

Thanks man, I completely agree with you) now I love blender even more))

[@darrennew8211]

I've never been able to figure out which constraints are the minimum necessary.

[@simoneiorio9703]

Check the Offset function in Meshmachine add-on.

[@luccadcojd57]

Thank you for your hard work. Do you think in the future a shape can be changed to a bezier with control points

[@eror151]

Definitely do CAD sketcher! And costume threads :)

[@NitroVipers3]

Can I convert my 3d model I made into cad sketcher and get all the measurements and stuff?

[@maxdefire]

Of course not!

[@NitroVipers3]

@@maxdefire why not? Im new to blender been using it for like a week lol.

[@Oliver1071]

Very nice. I've been trying to decide what direction to go to take my modeling to the next level for functional 3d prints. There are so many options out there. Fusion 360 looks nice but as a hobbyist the free model is restrictive if it even still exists.

[@Silver_Fox_Weirdo]

try student version of TFLEX CAD

[@artedesing]

another alternative is to use plasticity for hard surface i recommend

[@nolca]

I think for now plasticity is not ready for industry production...but I really hope its developer could develop a blender addon version.

[@trongcuong1710]

Sorry for a noob question as I just started learning card for a few days. But at 6:15 what kind of action you used to "merged" (not sure if my wording is correct here) the shapes? Is that a union action?

[@galiafvelikiy4615]

the parametric side of it, is the best what it has.

[@hecand]

Excellent work!

[@Mr.McWatson]

This looks awesome, Sketcher is still alive and kicking?

[@kadcomba8446]

Not clear the merging part of the two objects after solidification. kindly pls explain it slower video. anyway good work. keep it up.

[@BingsBuddery]

Just discovered your channel, brilliantly helpful! Subbed.

[@caydoncargill3989]

I challenged myself to see how few operations I had to use to make the blueprint and I actually managed to get it down to just two operations. One extrude and one extrude cut.

[@cgdruskey1018]

12:25 What about applying Scale?

[@Keep-Making]

CAD transforms automatically applies scales 😊

[@Drakuba]

what are those funcions 0_0 making donut didnt taught me those!

[@lemongarden3478]

i like it very much

[@ערןאביב-ז7ז]

hay, first of all this is amazing tool and you're brilliant instructor, i want to know how would you deal with an round object and not a flat one, it seems that there is no swept tool (like sw tool) and only solidify that extrude the mesh in flat way and not in a round way along the sketched mesh.

[@TheShorterboy]

Good so now which one of these can I print out and send to the average shop to have machined because at the end of the day that's what really matters and why people use sketches.

[@USSpace-mg8wv]

Excellent !

[@marcusdeimos]

Chamfers/bevels, and help with topo after booleans please)

[@anguinan]

never saw you using PDT tools, what I'm missing?

[@melrodriguez1454]

Hello Sir, is it possible to create 3d wire frame geometry to export as 3d DXF file? I have tried before but it converts to 2d. Thanks

[@OlavSchneider]

Can we please pay attention to first creating the basic shapes of the geometry desired and then and only then ad champres and raqdii?

[@indigo0086]

do you know why CAD Sketcher can't recognize the axis for constraints. For example adding that construction line and centering it with the orgin, instead of doing something line symmetry on an axis line?

[@JoshuaMoreno]

Start to think how I can refresh my corn freak horses?

[@ed_halley]

It won't be useful for precision modeling until you can work with objects away from the world Origin. Sketches need to be in Local coords from a Blender Object. Parenting or moving objects around is key for assemblies.

[@BlockflojtsTrollet]

Yes add it now.

[@gavinlynas2833]

Try Designspark Mechanical instead, it's free and a lot more intuitive and very easy to learn. Perfect for 3d beginners. Beveling etc is no problem at all and you can export into Blender. If you want a hole or shape no problem, just click on the side you want it on and a grid will appear, draw what you want on the grid to the dimensions you want, click on the pull tool and push (or pull) that shape through. Easy as 123. Blender seems way over complicated and technical.

[@AM-jw1lo]

Open source and free programs all suffer from the fact that they do one object. Multiple objects are needed, Till then they are interesting, but learning what you can't do in a program isn't worth the time, so its nice you do these videos. Till we get assemblies, its just interesting.

[@Zimbob2424]

how about cad sketcher vs cad transform and or can you use them together, I'm new to both and mostly know blender modeling without very many add-on's at this point. I figured it best to learn blender modeling first

[@Sunrise-95HT]

In 6’:15s when i press Ctrl + it is not merging part of two objects , pls help me

[@subagioharjo1846]

Just installing cad sketcher, but when I press ctrl+shift+a nothing happens, no workplane visible at this moment, any help?

[@Adrian-mu8gg]

can you draw and rotate a sphere in 3d sketcher? i made 3d printable action figures, was using fusion360 to create ball joints/skeleton and export it to blender for sculpt. I wonder if i could just create ball joints in blender for some easy hacks but i m not sure how 3d sketcher handles sphere shapes.

[@Alexandr22ru]

11:28 How do you do it? Merge doesn't work for me Ctrl+* ... maybe macros

[@Alexandr22ru]

Add-ons: Bool tool

[@noillusion3180]

how would you make an empty square on mesh?

[@Naecofranck]

Merci !

[@mamoshimiloni9559]

I have had really problem to install blender cam or if it is installed find it, please someone help

[@isti1986]

I've been playing with it, and I wanted to bend a rectangle mesh but it didn't work. Could you show me how you bend a rectangle that was made by the sketching system? So basically: Step 1: create square Step 2: solidify Step 3: bend with 'simple modifier'

[@danialsoozani]

at 12:20 I replicated your model and I found out how it bevels perfectly. it is because of quads. if you join to vertecies and make a quad the bevel works perfectly. what we can see in the video is a NGON

[@planilhador]

It’s a light at the end of the tunnel. How many time until do Blender developers realize that we need precision modeling, including other modeling approaches than subdivision surfaces? Until then, FreeCAD or Fusion 360 with 3dsMax.

[@alelasantillan]

Please include cad sketcher in your courses

[@karabasbarabas3942]

thanks bro!

[@Fozz84]

If you could output Gcode after, that would make it useful otherwise why not work in freecad to begin with.

[@ayneSFilms]

There are so many ways to work in blender much much faster. Even completely vanilla will be 3 4 times faster if you know your way around it.

[@KimmyR3]

seems a lot of work compared to something like SolidWorks?

[@bigbothoee8617]

Humble guy wish I had some money to give

[@cleisonarmandomanriqueagui9176]

I would love to see that Blender can achieve the Solidworks level of functionality

[@micro238]

I work as cad designer over 1 year. I can say that,anyone get more salary in blender than solidworks.

[@antoniosuarez7881]

Is CAD sketcher parametric like autodesk inventor or solidworks?

[@edstar83]

I don't know but FreeCAD is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hImxaIeFnJieoJY

[@john_dren]

What do you think about Blender precision modelling vs FreeCAD?

[@GaryParris]

Well done!, I think it's an interesting comparison and one of a few possible one with other addons, but out of the box Blender is improving so much, and may or may not find new ways to do so as they Develop, it's an incredible tool Blender, yes if people underestimate it, they will always be left in shock. i think it would best be served to wait on sketcher to improve before a course but thats just my opinion. you proved how easy blender can do this with precision, but have you tried doing the same with curves and modifiers? just curious!? But keep up the great work and to the devs of sketcher keep going :O)

[@garywillett4146]

It need to be like Sketchup, I like blender but love Sketchup’s measurements . I use Sketchup 2017.

[@dedm0zaj]

Please show the topology

[@contra_plano]

Freecad is not version 1.0 yet, but it works

[@Roostaff38]

can't install on new blender? just installed but nothing appeares...

[@gdmvr]

When I push ctrl+* wot is the shortcut for a Boolean it doesn’t work any one got advice ?

[@samhanks1594]

Playing with CAD Transform, Sketchers, and Construction lines made me realizes. I don't like entering "their world of transformation" to achieve a CAD tool set. You lose most of what makes blender a great modeler with this approach. Furthermore, this drastic rule change make for a jarring and disorientation when flipping between the worlds. I'm finding using "Measure It" is a better workflow. I'm looking for a constraint add-on that will work with blender, not forcing you into another world set.