The FreeCAD interface

FreeCAD is an open source CAD/CAE tool based on OpenCASCADE. FreeCAD has tools similar to CATIA, SolidWorks or Solid Edge, so it will also provide CAX (CAD, CAM, CAE), PLM and other functions. This will be a software architecture based on parametric modeling functions and modularity, which makes it easy to provide additional functions without modifying the core. FreeCAD 0.15 (4671): Sheet Metal Manual(Manual) (日本語マニュアル)https://www.dropbox.com/s/539nnfh9v6bb5q9/Free%20CAD%20%20Sheet%20Metal.pdf?dl=0(Sheet. The FreeCAD manual Post by yorik » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:44 pm Some of you know about this already, but I've mostly worked quietly in my corner without telling anyone, on a FreeCAD manual. FreeCAD 018 Quick Reference Guide 09 - Part Design WB Menus and Toolbars.pdf FreeCAD 018 Quick Reference Guide 10 - Part WB Menus and Toolbars.pdf You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

FreeCAD uses the Qt framework) to draw and manage its interface. This framework is used in a wide range of applications, so the FreeCAD interface is very classical and presents no particular difficulty to understand. Most buttons are standard and will be found where you expect them (File -> Open, Edit -> Paste, etc). Here is the look of FreeCAD when you open it for the first time, just after installing, showing you the start center:

The start center is a convenient 'welcome screen', that shows useful information for newcomers, like the latest files you have been working on, what's new in the FreeCAD world, or quick info about the most common Workbenches. It will also notify you if a new stable version of FreeCAD is available.

Close the Start Page tab (click on the tab x near the bottom) and create a new document (Ctrl-N):

Workbenches

Note that some of the icons have changed between the two screencaptures above. This is where the most important concept used in the FreeCAD interface comes into play: Workbenches.

Workbenches are group of tools (toolbar buttons, menus, and other interface controls) that are grouped together by specialty. Think of a workshop where you have different people working together: A person who works with metal, another with wood. Each of them has, in their workshop, a separate table with specific tools for his/her job. However, they can all work on the same objects. The same happens in FreeCAD.

The most important control of the FreeCAD interface is the Workbench selector, which you use to switch from one Workbench to another:

Workbenches often confuse new users, since it's not always easy to know in which Workbench to look for a specific tool. But they are quick to learn, and after a short while, they will feel natural. New users quickly realize Workbenches are a convenient way to organize the multitude of tools FreeCAD has to offer. In addition, Workbenches are also fully customizable (see below).

Later in this manual, you will find a table showing typical Workbench contents.

The interface

Let's have a better look at the different parts of the interface:

The 3D view is the main component of the interface. It can be undocked out of the main window, you can have several views of the same document (or same objects), or several documents opened at the same time. You can select objects or parts of objects by clicking them, and you can pan, zoom and rotate the view with the mouse buttons. This will be explained further in the next chapter.
The combo view on the left side of the window, has two tabs:
- The Model tab shows you the contents and structure of your document (see above) and the properties (or parameters) of the selected object(s) (see below.) These Model Tab properties are separated in two categories:
  - Data (properties which concern the geometry itself)
  - View (properties that affect how the geometry looks like on screen).
- The Tasks tab is where FreeCAD will prompt you for values specific to the tool you're currently using at the time—for example, entering a 'length' value when the Line tool is being used. It will close automatically after pressing the OK (or Cancel) button. Also, by double-clicking the related object in the combo view, most tools will allow you to reopen that task panel in order to modify the settings.
The report view is normally hidden, but it is a good idea to leave open as it will list any information, warnings or errors to help you decipher (or debug) what you may have done wrong. (View menu -> Panels -> Report View checked)
The Python console is also hidden by default. This is where you can interact with the contents of the document using the Python language. Since every action you do on the FreeCAD interface actually executes a piece of Python code, having this open allows you to watch the code unfold in real time—allowing you a wonderful and easy way to learn a little Python on the way, almost without noticing it. (View menu -> Panels -> Python Console checked)

Any of the panels above can be turned on/off from menu View -> Panels.

Customizing the interface

The interface of FreeCAD is deeply customizable. All panels and toolbars can be moved to different places or stacked one with another. They can also be closed and reopened when needed from the View menu or by right-clicking on an empty area of the interface. There are, however, many more options available, such as creating custom toolbars with tools from any of the Workbenches, or assigning and changing keyboard shortcuts.

These advanced customization options are availabe from the Tools -> Customize menu:

Read more

Getting started with FreeCAD: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_started
Customizing the interface: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Interface_Customization
Workbenches: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Workbenches
More about Python: https://www.python.org

BIM modeling

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. The exact definition varies, but we can say simply that is how buildings and other large structures like bridges, tunnels, etc.. are modeled today. BIM models are usually based on 3D models, and also include a series of additional layers of information, such as materials information, relationships to other objects or models, or special instructions for building or maintenance. This extra information permits all kinds of advanced analyses of the model, such as structural resistance, cost and construction time estimations, or calculations of energy consumption.

The Arch Workbench of FreeCAD implements a series of tools and facilities for BIM modeling. Although it has a different purpose, it is made to work in tight integration with the rest of FreeCAD: Anything made with any other workbench of FreeCAD can become an Arch object, or be used as a base for an Arch object.

As in the PartDesign Workbench, the objects produced by the Arch Workbench are meant to be built in the real world. Therefore, they need to be solid. The Arch tools usually take care of that automatically, and also provide utility tools to help you check the validity of objects.

The Arch Workbench also includes all the tools from the Draft Workbench, and uses its grid and snapping system. Before beginning, it is always a good idea to browse through the preferences pages of both Draft and Arch and set the default settings to your preferences.

In this chapter, we will see how to model this small building: Hp lovecraft font.

and produce a plan and a section view from it:

Notice in the sheet title block the cone on it's side. The graphic is denoting a first angle projection. If the two images were swapped, a third angle projection is declared. In this print it is less important, however in the previous chair drawing it would have had greater significance. First and Third Angle Projection

We are assuming that the exercises in the previous chapters have been preformed, there will be less discussion on previously covered concepts.

Open FreeCAD, create a new document, and switch to the Arch Workbench.
Open menu Edit -> Preferences -> Draft -> Grid and Snapping and set the grid spacing setting to 1000mm, so we have a one meter-based grid, which will be convenient for the size of our building.
On the snapping toolbar, make sure the grid snap button is enabled, so we can use the grid as much as possible.
Set the Working Plane to XY plane
Draw four lines with the Draft Line tool. You can enter coordinates manually, or simply pick the points on the gri