[Bf-funboard] Blender CAD?

[Early Ehlinger]

Robert Wenzlaff (AB8TD) wrote:
> Blender's Scene can already be used for this quite well for the camera.  Not 
> sure what you mean by "tables, etc",
>   
Not all of the information in a CAD drawing is the 3d model.  It would 
be nice to, say, include some HTML or something similar on a page.

To really do Architectural CAD right, you need something like a 
rudimentary page-layout system where you can insert views of a model, 
small bits of documentaion, tables, and the like.

I'm not familiar enough with the Scene object to know if it fits what I 
mean.  Using scenes, is it possible to have two separate cameras render 
to the same output file/page?  For example, in architectural CAD work, 
it is not uncommon to have 3 drawings on one page, along with a parts 
list (beam X from vendor Y, cut to Z length), the Architect's logo, and 
various and sundry other info.
> The ortho mode of a camera already has a scale factor, there just needs to be 
> some way to hard link the drawing units to the camera units.
>   
Sounds good, as long as one can lay out multiple cameras.  Also, being 
able to configure layer visibility on a per-camera basis would be very 
useful.
> But, while I agree that Blender could benefit from an expanded set of CAD-like 
> tools, and some other features of CAD programs could be useful (printable 
> views), I don't think Blender should endeavor to become a CAD package.  There 
> are too many opportunities for the needs to diverge.  When the CAD users want 
> Method A and the Animation users want Method B, then we get usually end up 
> with Method C and no-one is satisfied.
>   
This is most assuredly a big challenge.  I've heard rumors of a UI 
rewrite - perhaps those involved can keep in mind the notion of having 
pre-configured UI layouts that are easily and obviously selectable, 
named, and shareable (i.e., download skin "X").  That way, when a CAD 
user wants A, and Animation user wants B, you create "A" and "B" and put 
each in their respective UI layout.
> Perhaps you could cut the editing engine and controls out of Blender and make 
> a separate app and include an elegant way to seamlessly transfer data between 
> them.
>   
This is a nightmare waiting to happen; keeping the file formats in synch 
would be utterly horrid, unless of course the goal is to produce an 
all-out fork.  I don't think this would serve the Blender community very 
well, because most of the CAD features would also be beneficial for 
animators/artists.  For example, with a page layout thing, you could 
easily set up a render with a comic-book style.  I.e., multiple short 
animations, each in their own sub-frame on a larger display.  Surely the 
creative folks that use Blender would find unexpected uses for them as well.


-- Early Ehlinger, President, ResPower, Inc.