MalaGIS

Sharing GIS Technologies, Resources and News.

In recent years, applications such as digital museums, digital cultural heritage preservation, and digital scenic spots have become commonplace online. The 3D reconstruction technology behind them impresses with its stunning visual appeal—using just a screen, it can deliver an immersive experience. Nowadays, this kind of immersive virtual experience has permeated various industries. For example, in the popular game Black Myth: Wukong, the "Little Western Paradise" scene was created by capturing and reconstructing the Thousand-Buddha Cliffside Temple (Qianfo'an) in Xi County, Linfen, Shanxi Province. Similarly, Assassin's Creed: Unity used 3D technology to recreate the majestic Notre-Dame de Paris, achieving a remarkable synergy between the virtual and the real.

Above: The Thousand-Buddha Cliffside Temple in Xi County, Linfen, Shanxi Province.

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A few days ago, while processing some legacy DWG files left by the previous data team in QGIS, I was reminded of the company's AutoCAD replacement project from three years ago. That project, based on a open-source CAD software, was ultimately shelved due to the high costs of complex development. It got me thinking: it's already 2026, how have open-source CAD software options evolved? Are there any outstanding open-source alternatives? With these questions in mind, I searched some information. If you have other better recommendations, feel free to leave a comment for discussion.

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is currently one of the most popular open-source 3D CAD software, released under the LGPL license. It is suitable for fields like engineering, architectural design, mechanical design, and product design. Its core feature is parametric modeling, where all design elements are defined by parameters and formulas. When a parameter is changed, all dependent design elements update automatically. It comes with many features and tools for professional applications, including part design, assembly, motion simulation, material property management for mechanical engineering, and supports BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows.

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