FreeCAD Managing Expectations

Purpose
The purpose of this wiki page is to 'Manage Expectations' of users using FreeCAD, especially those coming from other proprietary CAD/CAM solutions.

The Eternal Open Source Conundrum
I really like/dislike using [Insert your go-to proprietary program] but I:
 * can't afford it
 * resent that I need to pay for it
 * don't want to be locked in to proprietary format/technology
 * want to own my work
 * want to work on my local machine (not on someone else's cloud)
 * really like using FOSS better
 * don't want to be involved in a FOSS because I don't have: time, skills the community needs
 * don't want to involved in a FOSS because someone else is probably doing that
 * want to complain somewhere about a pathetic attempt at competing with [Insert your go-to proprietary program]
 * want to vent about how ugly the UI is to someone/somewhere just because wanna!

Reflections

 * How do people conceive the way open source software is created?
 * Do people expect that when a group of people with common interest come together that they will magically self-organize in to a highly productive and well-oiled machine? (see tweet)

Non Parametric

 * FreeCAD can be used non-parametrically. But the user needs to know how.
 * Blender is the ideal free libre opensource tool for non-parametric design.

Mesh Modeler

 * Again, Blender is the more appropriate application for mesh modeling.

OpenCascade Kernel
A core external dependency that FreeCAD is utterly dependent on. There are ATM no FreeCAD devs that have any upstream interaction on the OpenCascade code.

Volunteers
Timelines, unpaid... it's done when it's done.

History
FreeCAD's history along with departures (jriegel) and pivots (PartDesign Next, App:Link etc...)

Relevant Links

 * Why the GIMP Team Obviously* Hates You (*We Actually Lot you. **mostly) Pat David from GIMP team presentation at SCaLE16x California 2016
 * Earning Your Support Instead of Buying it: A How-to Guide to Open Source Assistance by Ian Turton at FOSS4G Seoul 2015

Discussion Threads
Links to forum thread discussions related to this topic


 * Discussion: FreeCAD is not ready for 1.0 (forum thread)