Is There a Good Linux Distro for 3D Design and CAD?

The good news is that Blender and most slicer applications function properly on Linux. However, for CAD, particularly Fusion 360, the options are limited and tricky to set up. If you have favorite slicer programs, check if they have Linux versions because not all of them do. Unfortunately, many mainstream CAD apps have not transitioned to Linux, so be prepared for some limitations.

All Linux distros are quite similar, but you'll find different desktop environments across them. For CAD, many popular applications haven't shifted to Linux yet, so you might face some challenges. Still, if you're passionate about making the switch, be ready for a bit of a learning curve, and don’t hesitate to keep a Windows setup around for any critical CAD tasks.

Although there are some CAD programs for Linux, the big names like SolidWorks and Autodesk Fusion 360 are still Windows-exclusive. There are workarounds for running them on Linux, but they can be hit or miss. For your personal projects, I recommend checking out FreeCAD for 3D and LibreCAD for 2D drafting. They aren't the industry standards, but they should work fine for most of your needs. Blender is also fantastic on Linux, especially for artistic modeling.

Honestly, if you're heavily reliant on Fusion 360, it might be tough to run it smoothly on Linux. In my experience, Blender and slicers work well on Linux, but getting Fusion 360 to work is a hassle. A dual boot setup could be the best option—keep Linux as your main OS and have Windows just for those moments when you need to use CAD software. I personally use Manjaro and find it user-friendly; you can always switch back to Windows for any CAD trouble.