Python 3D CAD -- need collaborators, or just brave souls :)

[Zamnedix]

On Feb 9, 12:58 pm, rantingrick <rantingr... at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> It has long been my dream to create an open source 3D CAD program and
> i am starting to crawl my way into the first steps. I now believe i am
> ready to start this endeavor and i am currently looking for fellow
> Python programmers (no matter what skill level) to get started
> brainstorming this design.
>
> I have a real good idea of the UI design and at this point i just want
> to start simple and build this thing. I figure this will be a good
> learning experience for myself and others and in the process i can
> realize my dream. And if all this turns out to be is a learning
> experience, well nobody lost.
>
> Of course Python will limit the speed here, but at this point i want
> to get a template up and running. Speed does not matter at this point,
> and optimizations can come along later as i am sure a few complete re-
> writes are inevitable :)
>
> My initial start will cover a very simple user interface something
> like VPython but much more usable as a CAD modeler. From the start
> just a few simple primitives (faces, lines-segments) that will be the
> building blocks for more complex models like (arcs, rectangles,
> circles, polygons, cubes, spheres, etc..).
>
> There will need to be mouse picking as i see this application as a
> very interactive environment. Of course in the beginning all
> interaction will most likely be in a command line type manner until
> the functionality can be worked out.
>
> There will need to be a hierarchy of instancing and grouping within
> the model to facilitate easy transformation of entities within the
> model.
>
> I am not too worried about any sort of texturing at this point. I want
> to squeeze as much speed as possible and prettiness will come in due
> course. I also have no plans for layering, or multiple scenes at this
> time. Simple functionality is the end game here.
>
> Once the UI is there and the modeling work flow is worked out,
> everything should be a component add-on from there.
>
> So the main points are...
>
> #-- Entities --#
>  face
>  line-segment
>
> #-- Hierarchy --#
>  Entity (one face, or line-segment)
>  Group (contained of multiple entities that can be translated,
> rotated, scaled as one)
>  Instance (component definition)
>
> #-- Tools --#
>  line
>  rect
>  circle
>  arc
>  select
>  rotation
>  translation
>  scale
>  extrusion along path
>  measurement
>
> So there it is. Any takers? :)

I realize this isn't necessarily CAD, but...
http://www.blender.org/