Posted by ickby on Feb 29, 2016; 8:19am
URL: https://forum.librecad.org/Idea-for-shared-GUI-framework-tp5713123.html

Hello,

ickby here from the FreeCAD project. I have read a bit through the discussions here and noted that you currently discuss about GUI options for LC3. As such a state of development is a perfect point for large ideas I thought I drop in one more. Feel free to consider and ignore at will :)

Idea: Use the FreeCAD framework as basis for LC3 GUI.

As not many people know FreeCAD is a generic framework, in itself not dependend on any geometric library. Only the individual workbenches bring in support for geometry, like currently for open cascade. It is therefore usable by any kind of project without introducing the burden of unneeded dependencies, and as it is lgpl2 it can be used for other apps without any issues. Branding is welcome :)

The Framework provides:
1. Handling for Workbenches: basically a plugin architecture
2. Handling for commands: An easy way to implement commands which are automatically handled in toolbars etc.
3. Document object structure with property support, saving/loading etc.
4. Units and expression support
5. Deep python integration of the framework and the GUI (scripting awesomeness)
6. QT, Multilanguage, stylesheet support etc., the whole boilerplate needed for GUIs.

I do not know how well this all fits LibreCads needs, but this could be a way of reducing the work needed for full GUI coding on your side and benefit both projects from increased coding on a unified framework. FreeCAD and LibreCAD could maybe even share some Workbenches, who knows where this all could lead :)  

So if you are open for discussing and exploring this further I'm glad giving insight and feedback!

Regards,
Stefan