Share files in a format that everyone could open and edit, without having to pay for it

[paulocoghi]

From an open perspective, it would be interesting to share files in a format that everyone could open and edit, without having to pay for it.

Since Onshape has a free plan (complete and full-featured) and its online, everyone using any operating system will be able to work with WikiHouse, for free.

Onshape is compatible with many know formats, but unfortunately it isn't with Sketchup files.

[theoryshaw]

I would suggest an openBIM standard like IFC....

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Foundation_Classes
• http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/specifications/ifc-overview

.IFC files can be opened by most major BIM programs...
http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/implementation/implementations

Having the content in a proprietary format (onshape, sketchup, etc.), even though the program is 'free' to use, you risk vendor lock-in in the future.

[paulocoghi]

@theoryshaw Thanks for the reply!

I am with you, and my suggestion isn't to use Onshape's propetary format, but a widely used format (like the one you mentioned).

I just mentioned Onshape because it is one of the few quality software that, in addition to have a free plan, it is multi-platform (and I reaffirm that my suggestion is not about it's proprietary format, but many konw formats that Onshape also opens).

[paulocoghi]

It is still difficult to find quality softwares in the area of architecture and CAD in general, which are good, have a free option and are really cross-platform.

From this point of view, Onshape is a rare case.

[claytonprest]

Hi @paulocoghi @theoryshaw . Thanks for comments, and you make a valid point. We have used sketchup as the default format to date as that's where much of the earlier Wikihouse contributions were modelled. But I agree that this no longer makes sense, and as the Wikihouse Foundation we can provide a better range of CAD file formats for each release. Would adding .obj, .dwg and .ifc models to each repository help you get started?

Onshape is a good tool, and perhaps a better online platform for sharing models and collaborating on design. We definitely encourage anyone to take any Wikihouse forward in Onshape and other open tools.

However for rules-based building systems like WREN we think there are limitations to common CAD software. The Wikihouse Foundation is currently developing a web-based platform for open digital construction, to make the design and development of Wikihouse technologies much much easier. It will have a front end for architectural design and back end for system R&D, which will be closer to coding than CAD, but still intuitive for visually-minded designers to use. Watch this space :)

[paulocoghi]

The Wikihouse Foundation is currently developing a web-based platform for open digital construction, to make the design and development of Wikihouse technologies much much easier. It will have a front end for architectural design and back end for system R&D, which will be closer to coding than CAD, but still intuitive for visually-minded designers to use.

@claytonprest That would be amazing! And certainly much more effective than making the files available in other formats.

[tamg]

@claytonprest a web based open source CAD construction would be a game changer!

[jedroach]

Hi @claytonprest

Have you taken a look at the FeatureScript options within Onshape? I'm wondering if the WREN design rules can be implemented using Onshape FeatureScript. Perhaps what has been done with Grasshopper and Rhino can be ported to Onshape so I don't have to shell out $1000? There are a few scripts already done which could be a useful to include or use as a jumping off point: Laser Joint, Brick, Box Joint. Is there human readable version of the WREN design rules?

[zawsx]

I'd like to use the files here so looked at Onshape - they do not have a free plan. They have a student plan, limited to those at college or university. Pricing plan page here. So I can't use it.

[jedroach]

Though they have made it non obvious and perhaps they may eliminate it, the free plan does still exist.
https://www.onshape.com/products/free

[zawsx]

Though they have made it non obvious and perhaps they may eliminate it, the free plan does still exist.
https://www.onshape.com/products/free

Thanks! I really hard to find this link, knowing it must exist, but couldn't. Agree they could drop it at any time, so wonder if it's worth the intellectual property investment of learning something that can only serve to profit the generators of closed source as, when they drop it, we'll be obliged to pay for a licence (which I simply could not afford).
Maybe the best response is to support open source CAD, hoping they'll implement support for open BIM and 'open' or defacto file formats. Anyone any experience of open source software that supports (or could support) the files in this repo and the design language?

[JohnTordur]

Hello, I know of a design tool called OpenSCAD, its commonly used in the 3D printing world for parametrizing parts. The format is open, the only disadvantage would be that it only exports to .stl. http://www.openscad.org/

[hhassey]

As a guy being 20+ years in construction and 10+ years using only Free software, I can tell you that FreeCAD is the way to go, OnShape is not FreeSorftware and lacks architecture tools so why bother?

IFC as an industry standard could also be used.

Is this thread still alive?

[zawsx]

Not sure how alive this thread is @hhassey - last code update was early 2018, a decade ago in internet time.
I looked at IFC, seems fine as an idea, not sure why it's needed,. there seems a whole standards industry for BIM that has nothing to do with the real world - where are the open source 3D building diagrams that are the logical result of conformance to Building Standards? Couldn't find a list of software that exports or imports in the IFC format.

[theoryshaw]

http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/implementation/implementations

List of software that uses IFC.