OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD models. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies.
OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This gives you (the designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters.
OpenSCAD provides two main modelling techniques: First there is constructive solid geometry (aka CSG) and second there is extrusion of 2D outlines. As data exchange format format for this 2D outlines Autocad DXF files are used. In addition to 2D paths for extrusion it is also possible to read design parameters from DXF files. Besides DXF files OpenSCAD can read and create 3D models in the STL and OFF file formats.
License
OpenSCAD is Free Software released under the General Public License version 2.
Underlying Technology
OpenSCAD builds on top of a number of free software libraries; is uses Qt for user interface, CGAL for CSG evaluation, OpenCSG and OpenGL for CSG previews, as well as boost, eigen and glew.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD es un modelador 3D paramétrico de software libre hecho inicialmente para diseñar objetos de la vida real de cualquier tamaño. El modelado paramétrico te permite modificar fácilmente tu diseño regresando dentro del historial del modelo y cambiando sus parámetros. FreeCAD es de código abierto y altamente personalizable, programable mediante scripts y extensible.
FreeCAD es multiplataforma (Windows, Mac y Linux), lee y escribe muchos formatos de archivos libres tales como STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE y muchos otros.
No se requiere experiencia de CAD previa.
El programador. La mayoría de las funcionalidades de FreeCAD son accesibles a través de Python. Fácilmente puedes extender las funcionalidades de FreeCAD, automatizarlo con scripts, construir tus propios módulos o incluso incrustar FreeCAD en tu propia aplicación.
El educator. Enseña a tus estudiantes un programa libre sin preocuparse de la compra de licencias. Ellos pueden instalar la misma versión en casa y continuar usándolo después de salir de la escuela.
Referencias