Python module for parametric CAD

Question

I am looking for a CAD module for python. This is what i've found, correct me if I'm wrong:

• PythonCAD:
  • file types: DWG,DXF,SVG
  • oriented: click in a window
  • last maintained: 2012-06-15
  • documented: poor and dirty
• PythonOCC:
  • file types: STEP, IGES, STL (import/export)
  • oriented: scripts
  • last maintained: 2013-01-12
  • documented: good and clear
  • Installation is such a pain
• FreeCAD (python wrapping)
  • file types: ?
  • oriented: click in a window and python scripting importable from python
  • last maintained: jan 2013
  • documented: very well

Well, it seems the python bindings for FreeCAD is the best but are there other things out there?

Answer 1

I found that FreeCAD is the best solution. The python bindings lets you design parts in a comprehensive way.

myShape = Part.makeBox(2,2,2) myShape.translate(Base.Vector(2,0,0)) 

From simple geometries you can use boolean operations:

cylinder1 = Part.makeCylinder(3,10,Base.Vector(0,0,0),Base.Vector(1,0,0)) cylinder2 = Part.makeCylinder(3,10,Base.Vector(5,0,-5),Base.Vector(0,0,1)) common = cylinder1.common(cylinder2) 

The only downpoint is the installation with mac os, I could not compile it on snow leaopard (because too much dependencies on unsustained libraries).

But pythonocc has the same problem and what i don't like is the minimal documentation and the synthax which is too much opencascade like and not to much pythonistic.

Answer 2

occmodel is a small self-contained library which gives a high level access to the OpenCASCADE modelling kernel.