FreeCAD is a 3D CAD tool with features and UI similar to Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge.
With CATIA being the gold standard tool that is used in aerospace, automotive, etc industries.
So FreeCAD is on a very great path.
(It also highlights how important the UI is. Everyone who every used a 3D CAD tool, can use FreeCAD in no time. On the other hand, everyone who used a polygon based 3D modeling like 3DMax or Maya will have a really hard time with the Blender and its very non-standard UI.)
I just started to dive into FreeCAD as an Inventor alternative.
(Are you talking about pre-Blender 2.5?
If so, I agree.
It was a challenge going from 3ds r4 and 3ds Max 2... Had to memorize hot keys and get used to a tile based layout. But once I did, I was fast.
The ui was very different, but in a good way, IMHO.
The 3D concepts are mostly the same.
But post 2.5, everything is much more discoverable. You can search for commands, pie menus, change hotkeys... and there's great learning resources now.
So I have to ask people that had a difficult time using blender, if they tried it in the last few years.)
I agree. Blender has made a lot of progress with its UI recently. The nonstandard 'right click to select' is still a bit wonky for new users. I've tried teaching blender to a few people and they -always- have trouble getting used to the right click thing. I've been using blender for so long I could never make the switch to left click, but I still think a new default option would help grow the community.
With CATIA being the gold standard tool that is used in aerospace, automotive, etc industries.
So FreeCAD is on a very great path.
(It also highlights how important the UI is. Everyone who every used a 3D CAD tool, can use FreeCAD in no time. On the other hand, everyone who used a polygon based 3D modeling like 3DMax or Maya will have a really hard time with the Blender and its very non-standard UI.)