You might also want to look in to open cascade. It supports a bunch of standard 3d model formats (stl, iges, step) and has python bindings. Salome is based on open cascade. http://www.pythonocc.org/ However, I'm not entirely clear on the license for this so that might be an issue. I know the Debian lawyers had some problems with Salome because it compiled against open cascade. I believe if you made open cascade an optional run-time dependency it could still be a valid gpl app.
It's also important to keep in mind that what most people think of as cad/cam is really multiple things that can be broken up into modules (cad/cam/fea). Those can also be broken up into modules (fea can be broken into meshing, pre-processing, analysis, and post-processing). It seems like attacking things this way might be best. If you're really serious about this (there are lots of failed Linux cad packages) I'd suggest setting up a project on sourceforge and get a mailing list. Post a link to the mailing list and I'll join. I can probably find some other mailing lists that you should try to recruit from, but having a sourceforge page and a mailing list really helps your legitimacy. Another interesting project is FreeCAD, which is written in C++ but compiled against python, http://juergen-riegel.net/FreeCAD/Docu/index.php?title=Main_Page might be worth looking at. I look forward to joining your mailing list. On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:02:22 -0800 (PST) r <rt8...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello Josh, > Blender is a lost cause. It is a powerful app but the UI is horrible. > Even the Blender folks admit only a complete rewrite could solve the > major flaws that plague the design. So maybe i could salvage some code > but for what i have in mind, Blender will look like a piece of > software from the middle ages. And i am absolutly only looking to do > this in 3D, 2D is boring. > > So, yes, i have looked at both the applications you offer. > > Thanks > -- > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list -- Josh Dukes MicroVu IT Department -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
