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Noorts' Notes

FreeCAD

Documentation

Section titled Documentation
  • Tutorials
  • YT MangoJelly
    • Tools
      • Duplicate selected object
        • Unlinked AFAIK.
        • Also works if you have already consumed the object (e.g., a sketch).
      • Carbon copy: use if you want a sketch that is linked to another sketch in the same part.
      • Draft workbench Clone tool: use if you want to quickly clone a few (consumed) sketches (and scale them all (e.g., for an additive or subtractive loft operation) or to reuse them elsewhere).
        • They will remain linked, so changing the original sketch will update the clones.
        • If you want them unlinked, then just use a regular copy and paste (or duplicate).
        • Using them elsewhere at 36:00 in this video.
      • Part design clone tool: select a feature or body and create a clone of it. This “branches” out from the point cloned in the history (this is like inheritance; we set up a template body and then extend that in a clone body; when the parent changes, the child updates). Earlier operations in the original body are linked to the clone, and thus updated.
      • ShapeBinder: use if you want to import geometry (can be multiple objects in one go, e.g., selecting two circles) from one part into another. You set up the ShapeBinder and then 1) use external geometry in a sketch, or 2) apply operations directly on the ShapeBinder.
      • Datum planes and datum lines: can be attached onto by other objects. The datum objects themselves are also attached, and can be moved and angled (just like any map mode attachment). Planes can be useful to attach sketch onto. Lines can be useful to define direction, e.g., for a polar pattern around it (you can also of course use an edge as the reference in a polar pattern).
      • Link tool: use to bring a linked copy of a part into another document. E.g., as a rough visual reference.
      • Dimensioning tool video
        • It is quite versatile. Use m to toggle between modes.
          • These modes sometimes also include vertical and horizontal constraints (vertex + vertex), angle (edge + edge), the equality constraint (edge + edge), and a symmetry constraint (vertex + edge).
        • Didn’t know:
          • clicking on a edge by itself will allow you to set dimensions for that edge’s two vertices.
          • selecting a single vertex will dimension to the center point, a neat trick is to press m to set both the horizontal and vertical distance in one go.
          • you can also dimension directly between the edge of a circle and another vertex (e.g., for an offset from the circle’s outermost point).
          • arcs also have multiple modes.
          • 3 points can lead to, among others, symmetry
          • two circles have special interactions. vertex + vertex has different constraints than edge + edge.
    • Pipe and sweep (e.g., Tupperware container)
      • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZCF7HVoU74&list=PLWuyJLVUNtc3UYXXfSglVpfWdX31F-e5S&index=12
      • The sub-shape binder allows you to import geometry from one part into another. You can directly consume the ShapeBinder (e.g., with a Pad) or import it as external geometry in a sketch. The ShapeBinder will update if the original geometry (in the other part) is updated.
        • Can also come from another file.
        • ShapeBinders can import parts, feature of parts, sketches, faces, edges, vertices, etc.
          • For example one of the uses in the video above, is that we take the top face of the container cube itself, then ShapeBinder that such that we can use that as the bottom of the lid cube (we pad it out).
    • Sketch attachment
    • More on attachment modes
    • Hole operation
    • Lofts
    • Fillet that tapers to a point: use a subtractive loft with a point (and a profile that has an arc).
    • Pipes and sweeps
      • The path used need not be a sketch, it can also be an already existing edge of a part.
    • Threads (additive helix; screw)
  • Move transform / array
  • Boolean operations in part design
  • Boolean operations + Subshape binders to restrict a volume inside a profile
    • AKA useful for “creating pattern features that need to stay within a certain boundary”.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cudxRdw-31A&list=PLWuyJLVUNtc3UYXXfSglVpfWdX31F-e5S&index=37
      • FreeCAD-restrict-volume.png
    • Bodies
      • First body is the outer rim
      • Then a second body that has the spokes sticking out to all sides.
        • Then a third body, which contains the inside edges of the outer rim as subshape binder. Pad that out. Then perform an AND on this inside volume body and the spokes body.
      • End result is just the outer rim body and the boolean inner spokes body.
  • VarSet and suppressed
    • VarSet variables can be used to set datum constraints and in patterns.
    • Patterns need at least 1 occurrence. The pattern feature can be suppressed (this means if it fails it is just ignored) conditionally. Right click the suppressed field and click “Expression”. Then use a ternary that results in 1 or 0 (these represent the boolean state), e.g., VarSet.LengthUnits > 1 ? 0 : 1.
      • It has to be nested for AND VarSet.LengthUnits > 1 ? (VarSet.WidthUnits > 1 ? 0 : 1) : 1.
  • Patterns can be applied to
    • one feature
    • multiple features in one go.
      • Note that the order of the features matter (Ctrl selection in the model tab or the order in the Mirror tool window).
    • a whole body
    • Video
      • You can also mirror over a plane (e.g., a face).
    • Use a Multi-Transform if you want multiple patterns on top of each other (e.g., for a grid linear columns, then linear rows).
      • This also has a scale transform. It will apply to the transform above it in the multi-transform list.
  • Pattern along a path
    • Use of a path sketch, “hole” sketch, Draft workbench’s Path link array, and shape binder.
    • The path link array has start and end offset options.
    • The path link array will be outside the body. Use a shape binder to be able to use it inside a body.
    • Video - Patterning Along a Path in FreeCAD Part Design
  • Notes on Assembly Workbench
  • Notes on 2D draft plans (svg, image, etc.) to 3D model.
  • Hexagon pattern - Using 3D printer slicer hexagonal infill as feature of the model
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-VQfnXr4eE&list=PLWuyJLVUNtc3UYXXfSglVpfWdX31F-e5S&index=15
    • Shows a diagram that guides you in decomposing an object into FreeCAD operations (to reduce the total number of iterations, thus simplifying your model; e.g., sweep first then extrude).