#106

I’m not super experienced in the many (many) cad options, but if you by chance have an ipad that’s pencil capable, Shapr3D has been the only programs that I’ve found to be easy to learn and fast to model with. not really applicable if your preference is linux, but now that this program will be migrating to macos with the new silicon change, the workflow is really appealing.

outside if that, I use a personal license for Fusion360 (which is free) and I rarely run into limitations for not using the paid version. Sketchup is very popular and great if your needs aren’t too complex (and it runs in a browser). FreeCAD seems really nice and probably sufficient.

1 Like
#107

(^ thanks for a superlative explanatory technical post, by the way)

to add:

one fun reason for audio synthesis in particular: in FPGA designs, the audio sample rate is typically closer to the clock rate, could be orders of magnitude higher than standard digital audio rates.

therefore bandlimiting is a less of a problem, allowing higher quality from simpler algorithms.

4 Likes
#108

Fusion360 is pretty standard in makerspaces these days, so it’s often quite possible to find a local expert who can sit right next to you while you learn, and help you figure stuff out. It’s an extremely capable alternative to SolidWorks. It can do constraint-based CAD just fine, and it can speak to all the various additive and subtractive CNC machines. It can even do simulation of static stress, modal frequencies, heat, and thermal stress. It will also integrate with Eagle to provide 3D models of your component-populated PCBs, very handy for enclosure design.

1 Like