SolveSpace - CAD freeware (now OpenSource)

[AtmanActive]

SolveSpace is a brilliant parametric CAD program that was payware/trialware before, but since version 1.9 it just turned into a unrestricted freeware.
It was always portable in the sense that there is no installer, only a simple exe, and it 'just works'.
I think it does write a few things into registry, like recent files, and maybe some user settings, but considering how it is used, it is totally irrelevant. I've been using it in portable mode on several different machines, and it always worked perfectly for me, I never missed anything from registry.

The list of features and output formats is really impressive:
- 2D parametric
- 3D parametric (OpenGL)
- File-in-file referencing for assemblies
- Outputs to PNG, PDF, EPS, SVG, STEP, DXF, HGPL, G CODE, STL and OBJ.

This is really a unique software gem and I strongly suggest that you check it out.

http://solvespace.com/index.pl

Cheers!


UPDATE: 2014-05-09
SolveSpace 2.0 is now open source!
What great news!

Enjoy!

[webfork]

A video of the program.

Notably, the demonstration video is produced inside WINE, so that's another nice feature.

[Hydaral]

That looks pretty impressive for an executable under 1MB.

[I am Baas]

@AtmanActive

Nice find. The Windows Explorer stuff, like BagMRU, that is written to the registry is normal and does not affect portability. Recent file (document) settings (style, colors, canvas size etc.) is written to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolveSpace. That, too, does not affect portability but render it not stealth. The only minor issue for portability is that your .slvs documents will not show in the "Open Recent" list.

[Hydaral]

Just been playing with this for an hour or so, doing the tutorial, it's so easy. I've been waiting for a Sketchup type app for years.

I am going to waste so much time with this.

[joby_toss]

I'll use JPE on it and then start designing a knife to see how it works!
Nice find!
Thanks!

[tproli]

Yes, it writes to HKCU\SolveSpace but it is a good candidate for another yaP-ped portable

[dany]

This is by far the best freeware CAD program I've ever seen. I've got absolutely no use for it whatsoever, but darnit it's both easy AND fun to use.

[tproli]

If you upx it the size goes below 400KB.

[Hydaral]

I've created a PAF launcher for it, if anyone wants it, let me know and I'll put it up on bitbucket.

[Firewrath]

Great find. ^-^
I have been looking for a portable CAD program for a while.
It'd be nice if it could open AutoCAD files though, but still useful.
(Also JPE works just fine for redirecting the registry entries )

[Hydaral]

So, should SolveSpace be listed in the DB? I know it stores settings in the registry, but we've made exceptions for unique apps before:

http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?sc=94

I have been looking for a portable CAD program for a while.
It'd be nice if it could open AutoCAD files though, but still useful.

Check out DraftSight: http://www.draftsight.com. Not portable, but it gives AutoCAD a run for its money, in 2D at least. Someone made a PAF launcher for it: https://bitbucket.org/nnewton/draftsightportable/src

[AtmanActive]

Check out DraftSight: http://www.draftsight.com...

*Standalone license. Activation required.

[Hydaral]

Check out DraftSight: http://www.draftsight.com...

*Standalone license. Activation required.

The activation is stored in the registry (it's just a GUID, some dates and your email address), you can export the key and merge into the registry on new computers, or just re-activate each time. Or use the PAF launcher which handles all that.

[dany]

So, should SolveSpace be listed in the DB?

I vote yes. Considering that there arn't that many free quality CAD programs out there and the ease with which it can be made portable, definetely yes.