AstoCAD: Announcing a polished FreeCAD

FreeCAD has long been celebrated as a powerful, open-source CAD tool, but its steep learning curve and cluttered interface have left many users frustrated. Enter AstoCAD – a sleek, intuitive evolution of FreeCAD designed to transform how we interact with open-source CAD. Built on top of FreeCAD, AstoCAD combines the software’s core strengths with a polished experience, all while fueling FreeCAD’s long-term growth. This is the story of how AstoCAD aims to make FreeCAD the best CAD software ever – with your help.

What is AstoCAD?

AstoCAD isn’t a traditional fork of FreeCAD. Instead, it’s a “soft-fork” – a layer of enhancements that sits atop the latest FreeCAD version. Think of it as FreeCAD’s stylish, forward-thinking sibling. AstoCAD introduces streamlined workflows, cleaner toolbars, and cutting-edge features. Over time, these innovations will flow back into FreeCAD, ensuring the entire community benefits.

Why a soft-fork?

• Stay aligned: AstoCAD avoids fragmenting the FreeCAD ecosystem.
• Accelerate progress: New features debut in AstoCAD first, then merge into FreeCAD.
• Sustainable development: Subscriptions fund ongoing improvements for both platforms.

The Man Behind the Mission

Meet Pierre, a core FreeCAD contributor with over 300 pull requests to his name. His story explains why AstoCAD exists:

“I started as a user, designing the RetroStone2 retro gaming console. FreeCAD 0.20 was… painful. The UI was cluttered, tools were confusing. So I began contributing – first a small fix, then major features in sketcher, in core and in techdraw.”

When Ondsel hired him full-time, Pierre’s work accelerated and the Assembly workbench appeared. However today Ondsel closed, leaving behind the question of “What’s next?”. And so sustainability became a challenge: “To work on FreeCAD full time, I need to make a living. AstoCAD lets me earn a living while giving back.”

Roadmap: What’s Next for AstoCAD (and FreeCAD)

AstoCAD’s roadmap reads like a wishlist for frustrated CAD users:

• Reduce Frustration: Smoother Sketcher, PartDesign, and Assembly workflows by fixing bugs.
• Additional features: Like Assembly array and fasteners tools, reworking sketcher’s polyline tool.
• UI Overhauls: TechDraw and FEM workspaces are next in line for decluttering.
• MBD Integration: Bring physics-based simulations to Assembly.

Every AstoCAD subscription directly fuels these projects – meaning your support accelerates FreeCAD’s evolution.

Why Your Support Matters

For just €4/month, an AstoCAD membership unlocks:

• Early access to features before they hit FreeCAD.
• A seamless, frustration-free CAD experience.
• The satisfaction of funding open-source innovation.

“Your subscription isn’t just about AstoCAD,” Pierre emphasizes. “It’s about building a future where FreeCAD rivals commercial software – without the price tag.”

Conclusion: Join the Movement

AstoCAD isn’t just a tool – it’s a bridge between FreeCAD’s potential and its future. By subscribing, you’re not just getting a better CAD experience today; you’re ensuring FreeCAD becomes the powerhouse it deserves to be.

Ready to create, innovate, and shape the future of open-source CAD?
👉 Visit astocad.com to become a member.

Together, let’s make FreeCAD – and AstoCAD – unstoppable.