Free and open-source computer-aided design/Intro

In the near future advanced free and open-source computer-aided design (CAD) software with built-in physics engines plus the ability to model kinematics / dynamics will allow anyone to easily generate new designs or customise exisiting ones, and allow a significant amount of testing to be done virtually potentially saving significant time when it comes to construction.

The availability of user-friendly open source CAD software will be essential to this field. There is no reason, with careful design, why this software shouldn't be intuitive enough for children to use easily. It could explain mechanical principles along the way if the user wished, and also be a place to store detailed contextual development notes, wiki style, to help others understand the workings and decisions made.

Another important area are truly open standards for associated file formats, and file converters to extract data from models created with proprietary CAD packages.

The virtual nature of the designs mean that far-flung people via the internet can easily work together on the same design, either working individually on various sub-assemblies of the whole or collaborating directly on the same part. The restrictions of having to finding people local to yourself with similar interests and desires becomes much less of an issue. This software framework will be key to unlocking the full potential of open collaborative design.

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