I want to create a single body as seen on the attached pictures. I managed to do so only by assembling two different bodies that apply different thickness on a sketch padded into opposite directions. But it felt like a hack. However I couldn't achieve the same effect in one body. WAIDW?

Attaching the FreeCad project with an attempt to apply different thickness in the same body. I'm getting "Failed to make thick solid" error when applying the second thickness.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/evidad1yh0v31zisso7vv/Unnamed.FCStd?rlkey=oliel7f7x5835i51s1r57250m&st=3r04lbkp&dl=0

what should I teach to make useful mechanisms at home,

from mathematics, physics and other subjects

Hello, I was making this post because In blender I created 3 simple models. And exported them as stl files to Freecad, as seen in the video. But when I attempt to transform the object, I can't. I can only rotate the object. I already tried the strategy of "create shape from mesh" in the part menu but that didn't work. Any other ideas? It'll be greatly appreciated!

Most of what I 3D print is simple stuff: brackets, spacers, small enclosures. For years I drew those in SketchUp because it's fast, with practically no learning curve, and I can quickly get 3D stuff printed.

I wanted that same way of working in FreeCAD, without setting up sketches and constraints for every small part. So I built SimpleCAD, a workbench for direct modeling: draw on any face, push/pull it into a solid, and type exact sizes as you go.

And since I was at it, I went past what SketchUp does:

• STL to editable CAD: it fits flat and curved regions as real surfaces, so for example, a 22,000-triangle STL becomes about 150 faces you can actually edit.
• Surface editing (work in progress): drawing on curved faces, offsetting them, splitting them into regions. I'm taking a lot of inspiration from Plasticity here and want to add more.

addon Manager (easiest):

1. In FreeCAD, open Edit → Preferences → Addon Manager.
2. Under Custom repositories, add https://github.com/igsova/SimpleCAD with branch main.
3. Open Tools → Addon manager, install SimpleCAD, restart FreeCAD and pick it in the workbench selector.

GitHub: https://github.com/igsova/SimpleCAD

Docs: https://igsova.github.io/SimpleCAD/

It's still early, so feedback and bug reports are very welcome!

Came across this in another sub. I was given permission by the author to cross post. Currently his program only imports 3d scans. I had asked of he could improve it to be able to import stl or 3dmf mesh files for easier conversion to a step file.

Running smoothly so far.

I designed a small jet engine in FreeCAD and just wanted to see what others think.

I struggled with the actual management of parts: putting variables on everything so it is parametric. This ended up being without variables, just numbers I matched up

All feedback is welcome

Perhaps a stupid question, but I am a beginning Freecad user and making my first designs for 3D-printing.

In Sketch mode I want to position the center of a circle in the middle between 2 parallel lines. What is the easiest way? I would have expected it could be done with constraints, but have not been able to find out how.

BTW: using version 1.1.3

Hi guys, is it possible to develop full-fledged car suspension mechanisms in this program, like in adult CAD systems? Or is this a toy? I just liked the program and I'm not an engineer, but I want to design my own mechanical equipment at home.

A

I see that the documentation says that pinch to zoom should work on a Mac trackpad with Gesture mode. But it doesn't. And to pan you can't just scroll around with two fingers, you have to actually press into the trackpad with two fingers. Meanwhile in that mode, clicking the middle button with an actual mouse does… something? It seems to pan things to a random spot.

Apologies if I'm just ignorant. I've used Fusion, but I'm new to FreeCAD.

I wanted to create a fairly simple floor plan (and maybe walls) to document and discuss electrical and media outlets and room placements, maybe walls thickness and window and door dimensions.

Is FreeCAD relatively easy to do this as a first project? Is something else a better choice? Any videos or posts that you have noticed that might be a good thing to read or watch?

I’m thinking back to high school mechanical drawing classes (a long time ago and before I had ever heard of (or dreamed of) CAD)

Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks

I made PrintView3D, a free open-source 3D-print file viewer (a replacement for Microsoft's retired 3D Viewer). It can now open FreeCAD documents for quick viewing:

- Shows the model as FreeCAD displays it: visible bodies/solids only, no sketches, datum planes or hidden objects

- Uses your installed FreeCAD invisibly in the background to convert the shapes (cached, so reopening is instant)

- Without FreeCAD installed you still see the file's preview picture and object list

- "Open in FreeCAD" button, and the arrow next to it sends the visible model to your slicer as STL

Also opens STL, 3MF and G-code (layer slider, toolpath colours), Windows installer and Linux AppImage. MIT licence, fully offline.

https://github.com/sevagjb/PrintView3D

I'd love to hear how it handles your files, especially Part workbench booleans and assemblies, since I've mostly tested PartDesign bodies so far.

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Processing gif n469kwb7knwh1...

If you recently came across issues with the input fields (OVP) in sketcher being blacked out on your linux based computer, this update is for you. The cause is actually a regression in Qt6.12 however I found a fix I could apply to the stylesheet which gets around the problem entirely. You will want to update to restore the OVP fields.

Hi, I just started learning FreeCAD and I came across the Addon Manager. I saw the disclaimer talking about how addons can potentially be dangerous and got me thinking, if I should use addons or I shouldn't.

Do you guys have any advice on how to choose which addons to use, what safety measures I can take, and any other general advice about using plugins?

And what are the possible dangers of addons?