On: OpenSCAD: The Programmer's Solid 3D CAD Modeller

[dgroshev]

SOLIDWORKS for Makers includes a full copy of SOLIDWORKS and costs $48/year https://www.solidworks.com/solution/3dexperience-solidworks-...

[wlesieutre → dgroshev]

For non-commercial use, files are watermarked and can’t be opened later in a commercial or academic licensed version

[dgroshev → wlesieutre]

Sure, but I believe the majority of OpenSCAD users are fine with non-commercial use.

[kiba → dgroshev]

Generally people who preferred niche apps like OpenSCAD preferred not to be restricted in how they can use the app.

[Qwertious → dgroshev]

There's a difference between noncommercial and barely commercial; if you model something on OpenSCAD and sell a single copy for $5, is that commercial? Lawyers say yes. But no amount of productivity from Solidworks will make spending $3000/year be worthwhile here.

[wlesieutre → Qwertious]

Solidworks says noncommercial but then gives you $2000 leeway on commercial use before you need a commercial license. I’m not sure how they square that with later saying the watermarked files you’ve created don’t work in a commercial version.

And it leaves you with an awkward gap where you sell $2000 and need a commercial license, but even ignoring income tax you don’t have enough revenue to afford that license.

[WillAdams → dgroshev]

If they were, they would probably be using TinkerCAD.