FreeCAD: Difference between revisions

From Open Source Ecology
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(129 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
=Action Plan=
{{Hint|'''FreeCAD is open source Computer Aided Design (CAD) software that OSE uses on a regular basis to produce 3D designs, fabrication drawings, exploded part diagrams, and other assets indispensable to the design of physical objects}}


Recruit software developer to analyze FreeCAD and build with/upon their work.
=Basics=
*A [[FLOSS]] [[CAD]] software
*It is currently (as of 2020) OSE's official CAD software
*It is also a part of [[OSE Linux]] v1.0 (using FreeCAD 0.16) in OSE's custom Linux distribution


Document FreeCAD source code in github repository.
=Most Recent Versions=
* "The latest bug fix release 0.18. 4 (16146) "


Document FreeCAD's code structure.
{{RightTOC}}


=Info=
See 3/7/16 update on OSE FreeCAD Workbenches -


[http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page FreeCAD Website]
<html><iframe width="400" height="220" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TqVqmr37d4w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>


=FreeCAD Downloads=


=Temp=
{{Hint|The [[OSE Linux]] distribution is a complete distribution which includes all development software for OSE, and FreeCAD is a staple of that stack}}


Ok, first FreeCAD:
See http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Download to choose the correct build for your Operating System.


As they say themselves, it is still in the early stages of
== FreeCAD 0.16 AppImage ==
development. I (Conor) have searched for documentation, and apart from the
*The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppImage AppImage] is available to download on the [https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/0.16 FreeCAD GitHub page for the 0.16 release].
getstarted [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Getting_started]
*Alternatively, click the below link to download the AppImage directly from the FreeCAD repo:
there are 2 nice articles from December (so version 0.9, which btw. is
**[https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/download/0.16/FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage]
in Lucid already). The funny thing is that for some reason, both are
 
in... Polish! I understand you have polish origins, so maybe you speak
===FreeCAD 0.16 Appimage Notes===
Polish. Otherwise just google translate. They give you examples and a
Hi Marcin,
better idea of what it is right now capable of.
I just tested my workbench with an Appimage.
[http://www.ubucentrum.net/2009/12/rozpoczynamy-zabawe-z-freecad-krok-po.html]  
https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/download/0.18.4/FreeCAD_0.18-16146-Linux-Conda_Py3Qt5_glibc2.12-x86_64.AppImage and  the recent version https://github.com/rkrenzler/ose-piping-workbench.
[http://wkupiesila.blogspot.com/2009/12/freecad-poznajemy-klawisz-f5.html]
The workbench works. I assume that PyQt5 could be a reason for the problem.
When I started to develop ose-piping-workbench I used the old Version of PyQT then I ported the workbench to the new version. Maybe this is the reason why it worked before but it does not work anymore.
Best regards,
Ruslan
 
- - - - -
 
When executing the 0.16 FreeCAD appimage on a newer Linux OS (Linux Mint 22 Wilma), it failed with the message:
 
  $ ./FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage
  /tmp/.mount_FreeCAMq0iFH/usr/bin/freecad: symbol lookup error: /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libfontconfig.so.1: undefined symbol: FT_Done_MM_Var
 
After some searching and testing, I found a simple solution:
 
  LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libfreetype.so.6 ./FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage
 
- Tom
 
==FreeCAD 0.16 for Windows==
 
This looks like it: https://www.filepuma.com/download/freecad_64bit_0.16.6700-15088/#google_vignette
 
==FreeCAD 19 Appimage==
For legacy purposes, download from https://gitlab.com/opensourceecology.org/campuses/freecad-19-appimage. Sorry, file too large, couldn't upload almost 1 GB file. ...Marcin...I'm seeing a page not found error using your above link...please verify..
 
=Learning FreeCAD=
{{Hint|The official OSE tutorials Page on this wiki is [[OSE FreeCAD Tutorials]]}}
 
 
=OSE-Developed Workbenches=
*'''[[3D Printer Workbench 2020]]'''
*[[OSE Piping Workbench]]
 
=Other Workbenches=
*[[Exploded Part Animation]]
 
=Original Specification=
*See [[FreeCAD Specification]]
*FreeCAD is based on the [[Open Cascade Technology]] CAD kernel
 
=FreeCAD Review=
See [[FreeCAD Assessment]]
 
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XKz1N8huJ9oMHd4q7tu_H1qpQv0m-dKWFNFkhuZpROU/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="480" height="299" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
=OSE FreeCAD Needs=
See [[FreeCAD Scripts]] for the list of top 10 instructionals that are needed.
 
==Action Plan==
 
* Recruit software developer to analyze FreeCAD and build with/upon their work. Short-term Objective: Get Assembly Module Working.
* Document FreeCAD source code in github repository.
* Document FreeCAD's code structure. (some preliminary work available at https://github.com/qingfengxia/FreeCAD_Mod_Dev_Guide)
 
=Process for Developing FreeCAD Instructionals=
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gTarsYBnTvo9-RpOXPwlwF8TvtwpxkeG_GirJiG-d4Y/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="720" height="480" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
=FreeCAD Architecture Tutorials=
==Arch Workbench==
How to design this structure in FreeCAD is here - [http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Arch_tutorial] -
 
<html><iframe src="http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/images/2/2b/Arch_tutorial_47.jpg" height=500 width=1070></iframe></html>
 
==Drawing Building Panels==
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DbjSP8w3jpbiEycbV00kb-R7G225j6tuHybGQAu1BSY/pub?embedded=true" height=500 width=800></iframe></html>
 
==Overview==
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RYJyJn84nuk8tJ8GunBMnv7ZrI36P6gSUGPGDR_2O6w/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="960" height="569" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
=More Basics of FreeCAD from Yorik=
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YjqZ8O8vHV7XeAljkNk96yEFxc_r2M80Q5unb2zEgb8/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="960" height="569" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
=3D Printing Tutorial for FreeCAD=
<html><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1f88Zc4V9oJTwOSdmCAO24ykG3BM94yw3Pru5od5GBjI/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="480" height="275" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
=Architecture in FreeCAD=
<html></html>
 
=Producing Build Instructionals with FreeCAD=
<html>
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X_g7EXiR2aOJ11ZeSljg8qE92sjbKotnQYzQXLOavpw/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" frameborder="0" width="480" height="275" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true"></iframe></html>
 
 
=Import from Proprietary Formats=
*AutoCAD dwg - import appears to be available - [http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=FreeCAD_and_DWG_Import]
=FreeCAD Instructionals=
See [[FreeCAD Instructionals]]


So I propose the following: you try to reproduce the steps in the
articles, so you get a feeling for it. But then regardless stick with
Blender a bit longer, and try FreeCAD again when version 0.11 or 0.12
comes out.


=OSE FreeCAD Documentation=
=OSE FreeCAD Documentation=


I (Mark Norton) have created a very simply, introductory guide to FreeCAD.  It only covers the very basics at this point, but we can expand on it as needed.  -  [[User:Mjn]]
I (Mark Norton) have created a very simple, introductory guide to FreeCAD.  It only covers the very basics at this point, but we can expand on it as needed.  -  [[User:Mjn]]


[[File:FreeCAD-3.pdf]]
[[File:FreeCAD-3.pdf]]
Line 51: Line 138:
See also, FreeCAD Documentation and Tutorials [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page].
See also, FreeCAD Documentation and Tutorials [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page].


[[Category:CAD]]
=OSE FreeCAD Requirements=
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]
For OSE to use FreeCAD for all of its design needs, these are the functions required. Do these exist? Please comment.
 
*Freehand drawing of shapes and extrusion (like Sketchup).[[Image:check.png]]
*Adding parameters to all of the shapes, so they can be modified. [[Image:check.png]]
*Modifying all parameters in 3D parametrically (typing in lengths) [[Image:check.png]]
*Modifying all parameters in 3D with the mouse (such as dragging corners, edges, and faces)
 
[https://github.com/ickby Response from FreeCAD developer ickby]: "This is not possible and will not be in the future. This kind of behavior needs quite advanced back-end functionality which is not provided by our geometric modeling kernel"
 
*Adding parameters in 3D parametrically (boolean operations)? [[Image:check.png]]
*Adding parameters in 3D by drawing them and extruding (mouse-based boolean operations)
*Adding parameters to shapes in 3D parametrically (such as drawing in new objects parametrically)?
*Adding parameters to shapes in 3D manually (such as drawing in new objects with a mouse)?
*For multiple objects, moving them with the mouse to arrange, mate, align them.
 
[https://github.com/ickby Response from FreeCAD developer ickby]: "That is not yet possible. The assembly workbench is in a very early design phase and still needs quite some time. That is true for basic functionality and integration into freecad workflows."
 
*Grouping and ungrouping objects into assemblies?
 
[https://github.com/ickby Response from FreeCAD developer ickby]: "not yet but will be possible with upcoming assembly workbench"
 
*Maintaining parametric nature of grouped objects?
 
[https://github.com/ickby Response from FreeCAD developer ickby]: "not yet, but will be possible with the upcoming assembly workbench"
 
Now for interoperability with other CAD packages:
 
*Importing multiple new objects into a drawing - one at a time?
 
[https://github.com/ickby Response from FreeCAD developer ickby]: 'currently you can only import whole files, not individual objects from a file'
 
*Importing multiple objects into a model - all at one time? [[Image:check.png]]
*Importing new objects while passing the parametric values into FreeCAD, such as with a STEP file?
 
=Tutorials=
 
==2015==
Obijuan - good set of 34 lessons, but in Spanish.
 
<html><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k_s2LgxEtLY?list=PLmnz0JqIMEzUqEM-nxqhZoDaqszVXijOb" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
 
==Bram De Vries, 2012==
Tutorials 1-8:
 
<html><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/siqXdX2iwm4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
 
==Path WorkBench==
Created by sliptonic (FreeCAD Path Workbench developer)
{{clear}}
<html><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ahx4eyW1k44?list=PLEuOia-QxyFInwRYDcLfgvZkxAVn1mo0i" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
 
=Assembly Workbench=
Tutorial: http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html
 
==Example==
<html><iframe width="260" height="115" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfinO3EGXeo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
 
=Contributors and Users=
From Kostas:
*Jürgen Riegel is the project founder, working for Daimler Chrysler, his free time is probably limited https://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=User:Jriegel ''Update: Jurgen has not been active on the project for many years now. [[User:Kunda|Kunda]] ([[User talk:Kunda|talk]]) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)''
*Werner Mayer is the most active developer in terms of commits, he is just awesome, I don't know what he does professionally but if some funding can get him to increase the time of his participation, this would definitely be a great investment of financial resources.
*Yorik is our architect: http://yorik.uncreated.net and he is already dedicating a lot of hours in the development of FreeCAD, since he is a free lancer he is probably quite flexible with time, so maybe he could implement special feature requests for FreeCAD even on a paid basis. FYI [https://www.patreon.com/yorikvanhavre Yorik van Havre] has a Patreon account.
*j-dowset, joined FreeCAD recently and has done a great work on improving blueprints creation in FreeCAD. A very appropriate task for him would be to implement a correct dimensioning system for blueprints. I believe he has the capabilities to implement any kind of feature with relatively short running in time and high quality. ''Update: User is dormant [[User:Kunda|Kunda]] ([[User talk:Kunda|talk]]) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)
''*mrlukeparry is quite experienced with Qt and Coin3D so he can do a lot of GUI work. Being a student his free time is probably also limited except school vacations. ''Update: he left and returned but hasn't been active at all in the code or community [[User:Kunda|Kunda]] ([[User talk:Kunda|talk]]) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)''
*Ickby has worked on a prototype for applying assembly constraints between parts. A special task for him would be to accelerate the implementation of the Assembly module after jriegel has finished with the basic framework/structure/design. ''Update: Ickby has not been very low key for some time. He participates in the forums but has not contributed to the code in a long time, at least not publicly. This may change. [[User:Kunda|Kunda]] ([[User talk:Kunda|talk]]) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)''
*tanderson69 is very good in OpenCascade, so he can work on difficult tasks that have to do with the CAD geometry kernel. ''Update: Participates on the forum and very sporadically on the code. I believe he is involved in another project.''
*Daniel Falck is the person to contact for CAM integration.
*Kostas - sketcher module.
----
*Yorik van Havre, Daniel Falck, and Brad Collette - Path Workbench
*Ian Rees - crowdfunded individual working on Drawing Workbench
*gCAD3D appears to be viable for CAD/CAM - [http://www.gcad3d.org/]
*Przemo Firszt, Bernd Hahnebach - CAE workbench
*Sebastian Hoogen - OpenSCAD workbench
*FEA, macros - psicofil, Lucio Gomez - [https://www.youtube.com/user/Lucimanu/videos]
*Cad1919 - Extreme User - is doing some of the most high level work in FreeCAD - cad1919 on YouTube - [https://www.youtube.com/user/cad1919/videos]
*61quick - 3D printing complete toolchain within FreeCAD - [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv62eT2AibxjX3SY5qZsTeA]
*Lars G. - IGES files to house cross sections in architecture - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEst25rNFFQ]
*Kwasny - macro example of how to create an Icon in the workbench that allows you to draw a piston ring by clicking on the icon. This way, the macro (a set of commands) was actually turned into a tool - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWBXlx7WyUA]
*Dan's Open Source Design Tools, with motto to be free from black-box CAx toolchains - [http://opensourcedesigntools.blogspot.com/]
 
=Uses of FreeCAD=
There are various cases of real-life usage of FreeCAD in commercial, research and educational contexts. Add as necessary:
*[http://gfxspeak.com/2010/07/06/dassault-systemes-joins-the-freecad-fight-2/| Dassault Systemes]
*[https://www.educators.co.uk/dollar-academy/ Dollar Academy (School)]
*[https://all3dp.com/freecad-tutorial-3d-printing/|FreeCad 3D Printing]
 
=Main Needs=
* Documentation [http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/freecad-0-13-released]
* Packagers for Releases and Development version (Windows, Linux and MacOSX) + AppImages
* Packagers for 3rd party libraries: OpenCascade, VTK, Netgen, Eigen3, Calculix
* Helping to create a buildbot framework for testing and releases
* 'Doxygen'ating the source code
* Participating in the [https://forum.freecadweb.org/ FreeCAD Forums]
* Bug testing tickets on the [https://freecadweb.org/tracker FreeCAD Bugtracker]
* Creating FreeCAD-community-approved tutorials
 
=FreeCAD Development=
==FreeCAD Bugtracker/Issue Queue==
<div style="background-color:lightgreen; border: #000 1px solid; width:50%;border-radius:5px;">
<rss>http://www.freecadweb.org/tracker/issues_rss.php?project_id=0</rss>
</div>
 
==Support FreeCAD==
* [https://www.patreon.com/yorikvanhavre Yorik van Havre] has a Patreon account. The more people donate the more possible for him to spend time on FreeCAD.
* Kurt Kremitzki (AKA [https://github.com/kkremitzki @kkremitzki]) is a dev ops guy + engineer. He has been part of FreeCAD Google Summer of Code 2 years in a row. Hes has a [https://www.patreon.com/kkremitzki Patreon] account.
* @realthunder is building Assembly3 (an experimental attempt at the next generation FreeCAD assembly workbench) and has contributed a lot to the Path Workbench. He has a donation link on his [https://github.com/realthunder/FreeCAD_assembly3 GH repo].
* [http://sliptonic.com/ @sliptonic] is a Path workbench core-dev. He has been improving and advocating Path for some years now. He has a [https://flattr.com/@sliptonic Flattr] account.
* Login to [https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD Github] and 'Star' the FreeCAD repo.
 
==Latest FreeCAD Feature Announcements==
* [http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewforum.php?f=9 Feature Announcements] thread in the FreeCAD forums.
 
==Latest FreeCAD Pull Requests==
* Pull requests are no longer announced via the forum, instead visit [https://github.com/freecad/freecad/pulls their GitHub repository pull request section]
 
==Multilingual FreeCAD forums==
* [http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewforum.php?f=11 Ask FreeCAD questions in your preferred language]
 
=Links=
*'''[[FreeCAD 101]]''' - various OSE-related mission critical tasks
* [[FreeCAD Architecture Workbench]]
* [[FreeCAD Survival Guide]] from [[Lasersaur]].
* Original [[FreeCAD Specification]] by Juergen Riegel
* [[FreeCAD Architecture Design]]
* Open Source Design Tools - [http://opensourcedesigntools.blogspot.com/]
* [[FreeCAD Video Scripts]]
* [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page Old SourceForge FreeCAD Website]
* [[FreeCAD Workbench Python Programming]]
* [[Open Cascade Technology]]
* [[FreeCAD_16_vs_Latest]]
 
=Comments=
<html><div id="disqus_thread"></div>
<script>
 
/**
*  RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT AND UNCOMMENT THE SECTION BELOW TO INSERT DYNAMIC VALUES FROM YOUR PLATFORM OR CMS.
*  LEARN WHY DEFINING THESE VARIABLES IS IMPORTANT: https://disqus.com/admin/universalcode/#configuration-variables*/
/*
var disqus_config = function () {
this.page.url = PAGE_URL;  // Replace PAGE_URL with your page's canonical URL variable
this.page.identifier = PAGE_IDENTIFIER; // Replace PAGE_IDENTIFIER with your page's unique identifier variable
};
*/
(function() { // DON'T EDIT BELOW THIS LINE
var d = document, s = d.createElement('script');
s.src = 'https://freecad-origins.disqus.com/embed.js';
s.setAttribute('data-timestamp', +new Date());
(d.head || d.body).appendChild(s);
})();
</script>
<noscript>Please enable JavaScript to view the <a href="https://disqus.com/?ref_noscript">comments powered by Disqus.</a></noscript>
</html>
 
 
[[Category:CAD]] [[Category:Digital Fabrication]] [[Category:FreeCAD]] [[Category:Open Source Software]] [[Category:Software]]

Latest revision as of 15:59, 19 November 2025


HintLightbulb.png Hint: FreeCAD is open source Computer Aided Design (CAD) software that OSE uses on a regular basis to produce 3D designs, fabrication drawings, exploded part diagrams, and other assets indispensable to the design of physical objects

Basics

  • A FLOSS CAD software
  • It is currently (as of 2020) OSE's official CAD software
  • It is also a part of OSE Linux v1.0 (using FreeCAD 0.16) in OSE's custom Linux distribution

Most Recent Versions

  • "The latest bug fix release 0.18. 4 (16146) "

See 3/7/16 update on OSE FreeCAD Workbenches -

FreeCAD Downloads

HintLightbulb.png Hint: The OSE Linux distribution is a complete distribution which includes all development software for OSE, and FreeCAD is a staple of that stack

See http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Download to choose the correct build for your Operating System.

FreeCAD 0.16 AppImage

FreeCAD 0.16 Appimage Notes

Hi Marcin, I just tested my workbench with an Appimage. https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/download/0.18.4/FreeCAD_0.18-16146-Linux-Conda_Py3Qt5_glibc2.12-x86_64.AppImage and the recent version https://github.com/rkrenzler/ose-piping-workbench. The workbench works. I assume that PyQt5 could be a reason for the problem. When I started to develop ose-piping-workbench I used the old Version of PyQT then I ported the workbench to the new version. Maybe this is the reason why it worked before but it does not work anymore. Best regards, Ruslan

- - - - -

When executing the 0.16 FreeCAD appimage on a newer Linux OS (Linux Mint 22 Wilma), it failed with the message: 

 $ ./FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage
 /tmp/.mount_FreeCAMq0iFH/usr/bin/freecad: symbol lookup error: /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libfontconfig.so.1: undefined symbol: FT_Done_MM_Var

After some searching and testing, I found a simple solution: 

 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libfreetype.so.6 ./FreeCAD-0.16.6712.glibc2.17-x86_64.AppImage

- Tom

FreeCAD 0.16 for Windows

This looks like it: https://www.filepuma.com/download/freecad_64bit_0.16.6700-15088/#google_vignette

FreeCAD 19 Appimage

For legacy purposes, download from https://gitlab.com/opensourceecology.org/campuses/freecad-19-appimage. Sorry, file too large, couldn't upload almost 1 GB file. ...Marcin...I'm seeing a page not found error using your above link...please verify..

Learning FreeCAD

HintLightbulb.png Hint: The official OSE tutorials Page on this wiki is OSE FreeCAD Tutorials


OSE-Developed Workbenches

Other Workbenches

Original Specification

FreeCAD Review

See FreeCAD Assessment

OSE FreeCAD Needs

See FreeCAD Scripts for the list of top 10 instructionals that are needed.

Action Plan

  • Recruit software developer to analyze FreeCAD and build with/upon their work. Short-term Objective: Get Assembly Module Working.
  • Document FreeCAD source code in github repository.
  • Document FreeCAD's code structure. (some preliminary work available at https://github.com/qingfengxia/FreeCAD_Mod_Dev_Guide)

Process for Developing FreeCAD Instructionals

FreeCAD Architecture Tutorials

Arch Workbench

How to design this structure in FreeCAD is here - [1] -

Drawing Building Panels

Overview

More Basics of FreeCAD from Yorik

3D Printing Tutorial for FreeCAD

Architecture in FreeCAD

Producing Build Instructionals with FreeCAD


Import from Proprietary Formats

  • AutoCAD dwg - import appears to be available - [2]

FreeCAD Instructionals

See FreeCAD Instructionals


OSE FreeCAD Documentation

I (Mark Norton) have created a very simple, introductory guide to FreeCAD. It only covers the very basics at this point, but we can expand on it as needed. - User:Mjn

File:FreeCAD-3.pdf

This document covers the following topics:

  • Views
  • Workshops
  • Sizing a Primitive Part
  • Positioning a Part
  • Making a Cut
  • Combining Parts
  • Rotating a Part
  • Extrusion

See also, FreeCAD Documentation and Tutorials [3].

OSE FreeCAD Requirements

For OSE to use FreeCAD for all of its design needs, these are the functions required. Do these exist? Please comment.

  • Freehand drawing of shapes and extrusion (like Sketchup).Check.png
  • Adding parameters to all of the shapes, so they can be modified. Check.png
  • Modifying all parameters in 3D parametrically (typing in lengths) Check.png
  • Modifying all parameters in 3D with the mouse (such as dragging corners, edges, and faces)

Response from FreeCAD developer ickby: "This is not possible and will not be in the future. This kind of behavior needs quite advanced back-end functionality which is not provided by our geometric modeling kernel"

  • Adding parameters in 3D parametrically (boolean operations)? Check.png
  • Adding parameters in 3D by drawing them and extruding (mouse-based boolean operations)
  • Adding parameters to shapes in 3D parametrically (such as drawing in new objects parametrically)?
  • Adding parameters to shapes in 3D manually (such as drawing in new objects with a mouse)?
  • For multiple objects, moving them with the mouse to arrange, mate, align them.

Response from FreeCAD developer ickby: "That is not yet possible. The assembly workbench is in a very early design phase and still needs quite some time. That is true for basic functionality and integration into freecad workflows."

  • Grouping and ungrouping objects into assemblies?

Response from FreeCAD developer ickby: "not yet but will be possible with upcoming assembly workbench"

  • Maintaining parametric nature of grouped objects?

Response from FreeCAD developer ickby: "not yet, but will be possible with the upcoming assembly workbench"

Now for interoperability with other CAD packages:

  • Importing multiple new objects into a drawing - one at a time?

Response from FreeCAD developer ickby: 'currently you can only import whole files, not individual objects from a file'

  • Importing multiple objects into a model - all at one time? Check.png
  • Importing new objects while passing the parametric values into FreeCAD, such as with a STEP file?

Tutorials

2015

Obijuan - good set of 34 lessons, but in Spanish.

Bram De Vries, 2012

Tutorials 1-8:

Path WorkBench

Created by sliptonic (FreeCAD Path Workbench developer)

Assembly Workbench

Tutorial: http://freecad-tutorial.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-test-assembly-module.html

Example

Contributors and Users

From Kostas:

  • Jürgen Riegel is the project founder, working for Daimler Chrysler, his free time is probably limited https://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=User:Jriegel Update: Jurgen has not been active on the project for many years now. Kunda (talk) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)
  • Werner Mayer is the most active developer in terms of commits, he is just awesome, I don't know what he does professionally but if some funding can get him to increase the time of his participation, this would definitely be a great investment of financial resources.
  • Yorik is our architect: http://yorik.uncreated.net and he is already dedicating a lot of hours in the development of FreeCAD, since he is a free lancer he is probably quite flexible with time, so maybe he could implement special feature requests for FreeCAD even on a paid basis. FYI Yorik van Havre has a Patreon account.
  • j-dowset, joined FreeCAD recently and has done a great work on improving blueprints creation in FreeCAD. A very appropriate task for him would be to implement a correct dimensioning system for blueprints. I believe he has the capabilities to implement any kind of feature with relatively short running in time and high quality. Update: User is dormant Kunda (talk) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)

*mrlukeparry is quite experienced with Qt and Coin3D so he can do a lot of GUI work. Being a student his free time is probably also limited except school vacations. Update: he left and returned but hasn't been active at all in the code or community Kunda (talk) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)

  • Ickby has worked on a prototype for applying assembly constraints between parts. A special task for him would be to accelerate the implementation of the Assembly module after jriegel has finished with the basic framework/structure/design. Update: Ickby has not been very low key for some time. He participates in the forums but has not contributed to the code in a long time, at least not publicly. This may change. Kunda (talk) 13:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)
  • tanderson69 is very good in OpenCascade, so he can work on difficult tasks that have to do with the CAD geometry kernel. Update: Participates on the forum and very sporadically on the code. I believe he is involved in another project.
  • Daniel Falck is the person to contact for CAM integration.
  • Kostas - sketcher module.
  • Yorik van Havre, Daniel Falck, and Brad Collette - Path Workbench
  • Ian Rees - crowdfunded individual working on Drawing Workbench
  • gCAD3D appears to be viable for CAD/CAM - [4]
  • Przemo Firszt, Bernd Hahnebach - CAE workbench
  • Sebastian Hoogen - OpenSCAD workbench
  • FEA, macros - psicofil, Lucio Gomez - [5]
  • Cad1919 - Extreme User - is doing some of the most high level work in FreeCAD - cad1919 on YouTube - [6]
  • 61quick - 3D printing complete toolchain within FreeCAD - [7]
  • Lars G. - IGES files to house cross sections in architecture - [8]
  • Kwasny - macro example of how to create an Icon in the workbench that allows you to draw a piston ring by clicking on the icon. This way, the macro (a set of commands) was actually turned into a tool - [9]
  • Dan's Open Source Design Tools, with motto to be free from black-box CAx toolchains - [10]

Uses of FreeCAD

There are various cases of real-life usage of FreeCAD in commercial, research and educational contexts. Add as necessary:

Main Needs

  • Documentation [11]
  • Packagers for Releases and Development version (Windows, Linux and MacOSX) + AppImages
  • Packagers for 3rd party libraries: OpenCascade, VTK, Netgen, Eigen3, Calculix
  • Helping to create a buildbot framework for testing and releases
  • 'Doxygen'ating the source code
  • Participating in the FreeCAD Forums
  • Bug testing tickets on the FreeCAD Bugtracker
  • Creating FreeCAD-community-approved tutorials

FreeCAD Development

FreeCAD Bugtracker/Issue Queue

<rss>http://www.freecadweb.org/tracker/issues_rss.php?project_id=0</rss>

Support FreeCAD

  • Yorik van Havre has a Patreon account. The more people donate the more possible for him to spend time on FreeCAD.
  • Kurt Kremitzki (AKA @kkremitzki) is a dev ops guy + engineer. He has been part of FreeCAD Google Summer of Code 2 years in a row. Hes has a Patreon account.
  • @realthunder is building Assembly3 (an experimental attempt at the next generation FreeCAD assembly workbench) and has contributed a lot to the Path Workbench. He has a donation link on his GH repo.
  • @sliptonic is a Path workbench core-dev. He has been improving and advocating Path for some years now. He has a Flattr account.
  • Login to Github and 'Star' the FreeCAD repo.

Latest FreeCAD Feature Announcements

Latest FreeCAD Pull Requests

Multilingual FreeCAD forums

Links

Comments

Retrieved from "https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=FreeCAD&oldid=314348"