Basic modeling tutorial – FreeCAD Documentation
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Base_ExampleCommandModel.png) Tutorial
Topic
Introduction to modelling
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
15 minutes
Author
FreeCAD version
Example File(s)
Contents
1 TUTORIAL
Basic modeling tutorial
This Basic Modeling Tutorial will show you how to model an iron angle. One
thing to know is that FreeCAD is modular by design, and like for many other
CAD software, there are always more than one way to do things. We will
explore two methods here.
Before we begin
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
Keep in mind that FreeCAD is still in an early stage of development, so you1/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
Keep in mind that FreeCAD is still in an early stage of development, so you
might not be as productive as with another CAD application, and you will
certainly
ability
speci
encounter
to
fied
save
bugs,
backup
or
files.
experience
The
crashes.
number
of
FreeCAD
those
now
files
backup
has
the
can
be
in the preferences dialog. Don't hesitate to allow 2 or 3 backup
files until you know well how to deal with FreeCAD.
Save your work often, from time to time save your work under a different
name, so you have a "safe" copy to fall back to, and be prepared to the
possibilty that some commands might not give you the expected results.
Modeling Techniques Intro
The
first
(and
basic)
technique
of
solid
modeling
is
Constructive
Geometry
Solid
(CSG)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_solid_geometry). You work with
primitive shapes like cubes, cylinders, spheres and cones to construct your
geometry by combining them, subtracting one shape from the other, or
intersecting
them.
These
tools
are
part
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench).
of
You
the
Part
can
Workbench
also
apply
transformations on shapes, like applying rounds or chamfers on edges.
These
tools
are
also
in
the
Part
Workbench
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Part_Workbench).
Then there are more advanced tools. You start by drawing a 2D pro
file
which you'll either extrude or revolve.
So
let's
start
by
trying
to
do
some
iron
feet
for
a
table
with
these
2
methods.
1st Method - By Constructive Solid Geometry
Start with the Part Workbench (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench)
(View > Workbench > Part menu)
If you haven't opened a new FreeCAD document (most of the FreeCAD
window looks greyed-out), from the pull-down menu click File > New or
click
the
Create
A
New
Document
tool
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Document-new.svg).
Click
on
the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Box.png)
Box
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Box) button to create a box
Change its dimensions by selecting it either in the 3D space, or by
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
clicking it in the Project tab to the left, then
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Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
clicking it in the Project tab to the left, then
Click on the Data tab at the bottom, and change values for Height,
Length and Width to 750mm, 50 and 50 (see Fig. 1.1)
Create a second box the same way, but with values 750, 40 and 40mm.
first one. (see Fig. 1.2)
You'll now subtract the second box from the first. Select the first shape
first (named Box), then the second one (named Box001), the selection
By default this box will be superimposed on the
order is important! (Make sure that both shapes are selected in the
Project tree. One thing to remember: in Inventor navigation mode, Ctrl
+ click does not work for multiple selection. Switch (/wiki/index.php?
title=Mouse_Model) to either CAD or Blender selection.)
On the Part Workbench toolbar, click on the
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Part_Cut.png) Cut (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Cut) tool.
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorialnormand01.jpg)
Fig. 1.1 The
first box
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
3/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand02.jpg)
Fig. 1.2 The second box on top of the
first one, ready to be
subtracted
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
4/12
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Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand03.jpg)
Fig. 1.3 After the subtraction
You now have your
first iron angle (Fig. 1.3). You'll notice that, in the Project
tab on the left, both boxes have been replaced by a "Cut" object. Actually,
they're not disappeared, but rather grouped under the Cut object. Click on
the + in front of it, and you'll see that both boxes are still there, but greyed
out (Fig. 1.4). If you click on either of them and hit the space bar, it will
show up. The space bar toggles visibility of selected objects. (Fig. 1.5)
Don't
want
the
angle
oriented
that
way?
You
just
need
to
change
the
placement of the Box001 shape. Select it, unhide it, and in the Data tab,
click on the + in front of Placement, then expand the Position parameter,
and change its X and Y coordinates. Hit Enter, hide the Box001 shape again,
and your angle orientation is now different. (Fig. 1.5) You can even change
either of your shapes dimensions, and the Cut object will be updated.
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
5/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand04.jpg)
Fig. 1.4 The cut operation retains its original objects (the
boxes)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
6/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand05.jpg)
Fig. 1.5 You can still make the original boxes visible
By the way, we can add rounds to the angle so it is more realistic, using the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Fillet.png)
Fillet
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Part_Fillet) tool. (Fig. 1.6)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
7/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Tutorialnormand06.jpg)
Fig. 1.6 The
filleted edges
file
2nd Method - By extruding a pro
file.
This method requires that you start by drawing a 2D pro
activate
the
2d
Drafting
workbench
You need to
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Draft_Workbench) (View > Workbench > 2d Draft menu).
If you haven't opened a new FreeCAD document (most of the FreeCAD
window looks greyed-out), from the pull-down menu click File > New or
click
the
Create
A
New
Document
(/wiki/index.php?
tool
title=File:Document-new.svg).
Next
we
need
to
set
the
working
plane
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Draft_SelectPlane). Depending on your FreeCAD version, you'll have
right under the toolbar, on the right, a "None" button. Click it, and on the
left will appear right after "active command": Select Plane Offset, then a
text
field
and a series of buttons. Assuming you want to start your pro
file
on the plan view, select XY. The "None" button will now show "Top" as
active plane. See note.
Select the
point
line)
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Draft_Wire.png) Wire
(/wiki/index.php?title=Draft_Wire)
shape, using the text
tool,
then
start
(multipledrawing
a
fields for X and Y positions. The "Relative" box should
be checked, as well as the "Filled" box.
1st point: 0,0
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
2nd point: 50,0
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Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
2nd point: 50,0
3rd point: 0,10
4th point: -40,0
5th point: 0,40
6th point: -10,0
No 7th point, rather click on the "Close" button to close the pro
file, titled "Wire" in the Project tab:
file. You
should now have this pro
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Tutorialnormand07.jpg)
Fig. 1.7 The base wire
Hit the zero key on the numpad to set the view to axonometric.
Activate the Part Workbench (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench).
Click
on
the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Extrude.png)
Extrude
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Extrude) tool.
On the Tasks tab on the left, select the Wire object. Then enter the desired
length, say 750mm. Leave the direction at Z. Click Apply. You should now
have an Extrude object in the Project tab (
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
fig. 1.8)
9/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorialnormand08.jpg)
Fig. 1.8 The extruded object
This method has a minor caveat compared to the other one: to edit the
shape, you need to edit the Wire, it's not as easy to do as the previous
method.
And there are a few other ways to do it too! I hope these two examples get
you started. You'll sure hit some snags along the way (I did when I
first
learned FreeCAD, and I do have 3D CAD experience), but don't hesitate to
ask questions on the FreeCAD forum (http://forum.freecadweb.org)!
Note on Draft working plane button:
The label on your button may be different, depending on your version and
also on what you were doing beforehand. The button label could read:
"top",
"front",
"side",
"None"
or
a
Vector
representation
such
as
d(0.0,0.0,1.0). It can also be blank. For example:
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneNone.png)
Select Plane None
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
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20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneTop.png)
Select Plane Top
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneView.png)
Select Plane View
The above instructions will work, no matter what label your button has.
Kategori
(/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Categories):
Tutorials (/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Tutorials)
User
Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Category:User_Documentation)
Community
Github (https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FreeCAD)
Google+
(https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/103183769032333474646)
Learn
Tutorials (/wiki/?title=Tutorials)
Youtube videos (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=freecad)
Stack Exchange
(http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/88434/freecad)
Help the project
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
How can I help? (/wiki/?title=Help_FreeCAD)
11/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
How can I help? (/wiki/?title=Help_FreeCAD)
Donate! (/wiki/?title=Donate)
Translate (https://crowdin.com/project/freecad)
Code
Building from source (/wiki/?title=Compiling)
C++ & Python API (/api/)
License information (/wiki/?title=Licence)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
12/12
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Base_ExampleCommandModel.png) Tutorial
Topic
Introduction to modelling
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
15 minutes
Author
FreeCAD version
Example File(s)
Contents
1 TUTORIAL
Basic modeling tutorial
This Basic Modeling Tutorial will show you how to model an iron angle. One
thing to know is that FreeCAD is modular by design, and like for many other
CAD software, there are always more than one way to do things. We will
explore two methods here.
Before we begin
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
Keep in mind that FreeCAD is still in an early stage of development, so you1/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
Keep in mind that FreeCAD is still in an early stage of development, so you
might not be as productive as with another CAD application, and you will
certainly
ability
speci
encounter
to
fied
save
bugs,
backup
or
files.
experience
The
crashes.
number
of
FreeCAD
those
now
files
backup
has
the
can
be
in the preferences dialog. Don't hesitate to allow 2 or 3 backup
files until you know well how to deal with FreeCAD.
Save your work often, from time to time save your work under a different
name, so you have a "safe" copy to fall back to, and be prepared to the
possibilty that some commands might not give you the expected results.
Modeling Techniques Intro
The
first
(and
basic)
technique
of
solid
modeling
is
Constructive
Geometry
Solid
(CSG)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_solid_geometry). You work with
primitive shapes like cubes, cylinders, spheres and cones to construct your
geometry by combining them, subtracting one shape from the other, or
intersecting
them.
These
tools
are
part
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench).
of
You
the
Part
can
Workbench
also
apply
transformations on shapes, like applying rounds or chamfers on edges.
These
tools
are
also
in
the
Part
Workbench
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Part_Workbench).
Then there are more advanced tools. You start by drawing a 2D pro
file
which you'll either extrude or revolve.
So
let's
start
by
trying
to
do
some
iron
feet
for
a
table
with
these
2
methods.
1st Method - By Constructive Solid Geometry
Start with the Part Workbench (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench)
(View > Workbench > Part menu)
If you haven't opened a new FreeCAD document (most of the FreeCAD
window looks greyed-out), from the pull-down menu click File > New or
click
the
Create
A
New
Document
tool
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Document-new.svg).
Click
on
the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Box.png)
Box
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Box) button to create a box
Change its dimensions by selecting it either in the 3D space, or by
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
clicking it in the Project tab to the left, then
2/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
clicking it in the Project tab to the left, then
Click on the Data tab at the bottom, and change values for Height,
Length and Width to 750mm, 50 and 50 (see Fig. 1.1)
Create a second box the same way, but with values 750, 40 and 40mm.
first one. (see Fig. 1.2)
You'll now subtract the second box from the first. Select the first shape
first (named Box), then the second one (named Box001), the selection
By default this box will be superimposed on the
order is important! (Make sure that both shapes are selected in the
Project tree. One thing to remember: in Inventor navigation mode, Ctrl
+ click does not work for multiple selection. Switch (/wiki/index.php?
title=Mouse_Model) to either CAD or Blender selection.)
On the Part Workbench toolbar, click on the
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Part_Cut.png) Cut (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Cut) tool.
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorialnormand01.jpg)
Fig. 1.1 The
first box
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
3/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand02.jpg)
Fig. 1.2 The second box on top of the
first one, ready to be
subtracted
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
4/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand03.jpg)
Fig. 1.3 After the subtraction
You now have your
first iron angle (Fig. 1.3). You'll notice that, in the Project
tab on the left, both boxes have been replaced by a "Cut" object. Actually,
they're not disappeared, but rather grouped under the Cut object. Click on
the + in front of it, and you'll see that both boxes are still there, but greyed
out (Fig. 1.4). If you click on either of them and hit the space bar, it will
show up. The space bar toggles visibility of selected objects. (Fig. 1.5)
Don't
want
the
angle
oriented
that
way?
You
just
need
to
change
the
placement of the Box001 shape. Select it, unhide it, and in the Data tab,
click on the + in front of Placement, then expand the Position parameter,
and change its X and Y coordinates. Hit Enter, hide the Box001 shape again,
and your angle orientation is now different. (Fig. 1.5) You can even change
either of your shapes dimensions, and the Cut object will be updated.
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
5/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand04.jpg)
Fig. 1.4 The cut operation retains its original objects (the
boxes)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
6/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorial-normand05.jpg)
Fig. 1.5 You can still make the original boxes visible
By the way, we can add rounds to the angle so it is more realistic, using the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Fillet.png)
Fillet
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Part_Fillet) tool. (Fig. 1.6)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
7/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Tutorialnormand06.jpg)
Fig. 1.6 The
filleted edges
file
2nd Method - By extruding a pro
file.
This method requires that you start by drawing a 2D pro
activate
the
2d
Drafting
workbench
You need to
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Draft_Workbench) (View > Workbench > 2d Draft menu).
If you haven't opened a new FreeCAD document (most of the FreeCAD
window looks greyed-out), from the pull-down menu click File > New or
click
the
Create
A
New
Document
(/wiki/index.php?
tool
title=File:Document-new.svg).
Next
we
need
to
set
the
working
plane
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Draft_SelectPlane). Depending on your FreeCAD version, you'll have
right under the toolbar, on the right, a "None" button. Click it, and on the
left will appear right after "active command": Select Plane Offset, then a
text
field
and a series of buttons. Assuming you want to start your pro
file
on the plan view, select XY. The "None" button will now show "Top" as
active plane. See note.
Select the
point
line)
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Draft_Wire.png) Wire
(/wiki/index.php?title=Draft_Wire)
shape, using the text
tool,
then
start
(multipledrawing
a
fields for X and Y positions. The "Relative" box should
be checked, as well as the "Filled" box.
1st point: 0,0
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
2nd point: 50,0
8/12
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Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
2nd point: 50,0
3rd point: 0,10
4th point: -40,0
5th point: 0,40
6th point: -10,0
No 7th point, rather click on the "Close" button to close the pro
file, titled "Wire" in the Project tab:
file. You
should now have this pro
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:Tutorialnormand07.jpg)
Fig. 1.7 The base wire
Hit the zero key on the numpad to set the view to axonometric.
Activate the Part Workbench (/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Workbench).
Click
on
the
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Part_Extrude.png)
Extrude
(/wiki/index.php?title=Part_Extrude) tool.
On the Tasks tab on the left, select the Wire object. Then enter the desired
length, say 750mm. Leave the direction at Z. Click Apply. You should now
have an Extrude object in the Project tab (
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
fig. 1.8)
9/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?title=File:Tutorialnormand08.jpg)
Fig. 1.8 The extruded object
This method has a minor caveat compared to the other one: to edit the
shape, you need to edit the Wire, it's not as easy to do as the previous
method.
And there are a few other ways to do it too! I hope these two examples get
you started. You'll sure hit some snags along the way (I did when I
first
learned FreeCAD, and I do have 3D CAD experience), but don't hesitate to
ask questions on the FreeCAD forum (http://forum.freecadweb.org)!
Note on Draft working plane button:
The label on your button may be different, depending on your version and
also on what you were doing beforehand. The button label could read:
"top",
"front",
"side",
"None"
or
a
Vector
representation
such
as
d(0.0,0.0,1.0). It can also be blank. For example:
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneNone.png)
Select Plane None
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
10/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneTop.png)
Select Plane Top
(/wiki/index.php?
title=File:DraftPlaneView.png)
Select Plane View
The above instructions will work, no matter what label your button has.
Kategori
(/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Categories):
Tutorials (/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Tutorials)
User
Documentation
(/wiki/index.php?
title=Category:User_Documentation)
Community
Github (https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FreeCAD)
Google+
(https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/103183769032333474646)
Learn
Tutorials (/wiki/?title=Tutorials)
Youtube videos (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=freecad)
Stack Exchange
(http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/88434/freecad)
Help the project
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
How can I help? (/wiki/?title=Help_FreeCAD)
11/12
20/7/2016
Basic modeling tutorial FreeCAD Documentation
How can I help? (/wiki/?title=Help_FreeCAD)
Donate! (/wiki/?title=Donate)
Translate (https://crowdin.com/project/freecad)
Code
Building from source (/wiki/?title=Compiling)
C++ & Python API (/api/)
License information (/wiki/?title=Licence)
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_modeling_tutorial
12/12