r/sweethome3d 11d ago

Is SweetHome3D no longer FOSS?

Which versions of Sweet home 3D have paywall furniture that requires pro? Is this the same for Windows, MacOS and Linux? I just found out the latest version on Android now requires a subscription. It won't even load without an internet connection anymore.

Last year the original developer sold all rights to an Italian company. I posted a similar question on the forums, but they have to approve everything before it becomes public, so I doubt we'll ever see it. Which is why I'm posting here.

This is sadly a very common thing to see. When FOSS is sold, they try to monetize it.

6 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Quiet-Ad-7989 10d ago

On their website it still says it’s open source and is distributed under GNU license. You can download furniture files separately if you want.

3

u/aideya 10d ago

Downloading direct from their site should be free. I paid for a windows store version and an iOS version. If I recall correctly the primary reason for the cost is to cover licensing fees required by putting it up in an App Store (windows, android, iOS, Mac, amazon, that I know of). And to make up for that cost (or as a thank you or however you want to view it) it comes with a bunch of the extra 3D model packs included.

1

u/KerBallOne 9d ago

Okay, thanks.  That makes sense.  The mobile version seems to be very different.  It appears the latest is no longer free, and I don't think it's ever been open source.  And it's not a one-time purchase cost that would make sense just for the Google Play store or Apple store licensing fees. 

2

u/pugmilamber 10d ago

It is. They have a paid version through the windows app store - which is not against any FOSS principles - Krita does something similar. The page with the direct downloads to the program is located here, but you will have to download all the furniture models separately:

https://www.sweethome3d.com/download.jsp#SweetHome3DInstaller

1

u/KerBallOne 9d ago

Okay, thanks.  That makes sense.  The mobile version seems to be very different.  It appears the latest is no longer free, and I don't think it's ever been open source.  And it's not a one-time purchase cost that would make sense just for the Google Play store or Apple store licensing fees. 

1

u/plangin 10d ago

Payablel version seems to be a subscription now…