Been using BricsCAD but it lacks adequate tools to build full dynamic parametric scaffold library.
Looking at another platform, Tekla has the tools, and Revit has a Family editor but neither of those two platforms are suitable. Tekla is very minimal one trick pony, can’t import anything useful, doesn’t have many tools, Revit’s process is a strictly 2D, with a 3D viewer for checking, it too can’t import any usable geometry and it can’t be customised and modified to suit a 3D assembly process.
Rhino is much more universal, customisable and the work flow is very similar to BricsCAD/AutoCAD, but Rhino doesn’t have a Family Editor for making parametric dynamic blocks.
Want to know if Rhino integrating GrassHopper 2 will have the capabilities for dynamic parametric blocks?
For the parts they are categorised and each have about 12 sizes, each size will need unique product code, weight and other performance attributed data for BOM gearlists exported out to Excel.
Ideally the parts will be utilised and behave similar to a line, click to insert, move the mouse (not drag) the line lengthens with a tooltip beside it displaying size, as it increments to the next size. After second click the 3D solid gets rendered. Later each part can be selected, and the start/end grips can be clicked mouse moved (not dragged) to snap it to another part or increase/decrease length. the middle would be a reference plane so that each side can be lengthened.
Attached two videos, first is BricsCAD, It used Mechanical Blocks with Visibility States, the length is changed by drop down, very rudimentary/static no start/end grips.
The other video is in Tekla this is a good demo what needs to be achieved.