Credit: www.freecadweb.org
FreeCAD is a CAD (computer aided design) program that can be used to design and visualise 3D objects. It’s a parametric modeller in that all dimensions are specified as parameters, and they can be controlled like variables in computer programming. This also means that you can design a complex 3D object and, at any time, alter any element that makes up that object.
FreeCAD is also a solid modeller, meaning that if you cut a chunk out of a solid object in FreeCAD, it’s like taking a bite out of an apple. By contrast, in a polygonbased modeller such as Blender, the objects that you work with are actually hollow.
FreeCAD can turn its hand to many different types of projects such as simple models like the one we’re going to work on in this month’s tutorial, and ranging all the way up to detailed architectural design of buildings and complex robotic concepts. The different areas of specialisation are accessed through the various workbenches of FreeCAD. For the purposes of this tutorial, we’re going to spend most of our time in the Part Design and Sketcher workbenches, and we’re going to make a 3D object – an electronic enclosure.
Free as in design
Having launched FreeCAD, start by clicking the New icon in the main toolbar to create a new document. Select the Part Design workbench (not to be confused with the Part workbench) in the drop-down in the main toolbar. When you change from one workbench to another, you should notice available tools in the toolbar change.
The sidebar has a window marked Combo View and this has two tabs: Model and Tasks. If you look at the content of the Tasks tab, it should offer
