![]() ![]() The Start page allows you to quickly jump to one of the most common workbenches, open one of the recent files, or see the latest news from the FreeCAD world. Here is what it looks like for version 0.19: When you start FreeCAD for the first time, you are presented with the Start page. Widely used starting points are the PartDesign Workbench and Part Workbench. You can customize the tools included in each workbench, add tools from other workbenches or even self-created tools, that we call macros. You can switch the current workbench with the workbench selector. A workbench is a collection of tools suited for a specific task, such as working with meshes, or drawing 2D objects, or constrained sketches. The main concept behind the FreeCAD interface is that it is separated into workbenches. The standard menu, which holds basic operations of the program. The workbench selector, where you select the active workbench. The toolbar area, where the toolbars are docked. The status bar, where some messages and tooltips appear. The Python console, where all the commands executed are printed, and where you can enter Python code. The report view (or output window), where messages, warnings and errors are shown. The selection view, which indicates the objects or sub-elements of objects (vertices, edges, faces) that are selected. The property editor (part of the combo view), which allows viewing and modifying properties of the selected objects. The tree view (part of the combo view), showing the hierarchy and construction history of objects in the document it can also display the task panel for active commands. The 3D view, showing the geometrical objects in the document. The main view area, which can contain different tabbed windows, principally the 3D view. As FreeCAD is open-source, you can also grab the source code and compile it yourself. FreeCAD is available from the package managers of many Linux distributions. See the Download page for information on current versions and updates, and the installation instructions for you operating system ( Windows, Linux or macOS). Don't forget this when using FreeCAD if you like it, you can donate and help FreeCAD in various ways, such as writing documentation and making translations.įirst of all, download and install FreeCAD. ![]() Like all free software projects, FreeCAD depends on its community to grow, gain features, and fix bugs. There is a fast-growing community of enthusiastic users who participate in the FreeCAD forum, and you can find many examples of quality projects developed with FreeCAD there. Capabilities are still missing but it is powerful enough for hobbyist use, and small workshops. It is primarily made for mechanical design, but also serves all other uses where you need to model 3D objects with precision and control over modeling history.įreeCAD has been under development since 2002, and it offers a large list of features. You can freely enter Python commands yourself if you need a little more flexibility, or even create macros by recording any particularly useful Python for replay later.FreeCAD is a 3D parametric modeling application. Everything you do within the interface will issue some Python command, which you can examine. There are also plenty of mesh tools a drawing module which exports projected views of your geometry to a 2D SVG document and a raytracing module which exports your work for rendering in POV-Ray.Īnd Python code underlies all of this. FreeCAD supports 2D objects like lines, rectangles, arcs or circles, as well as various 3D primitives (box, sphere, cylinder, cone, torus), each of which can then be manipulated in various ways (translation, rotation, mirroring, scaling, offset and more). ![]() If you've samples to hand then FreeCAD can already import DXF, OCA/ GCAD, SVG, STP/ STEP, IGS/ IGES and other formats, a quick way to get started and see what the program can do.īut if you prefer then you can also create a new document from scratch. The program's 0.12 version number tells you it's not yet ready for prime time, but if you're interested in this area - particularly if you're familiar with Python scripting - then there's already plenty to explore here. FreeCAD is a powerful 3D CAD modeler and drawing tool which is targeted squarely at the mechanical engineering and product design fields. ![]()
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