FreeCAD Notes

Chatroom: https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=38564

ONGOING/TODO

Periodically check those threads and add to this HOWTO when they are ready:

• Hitting escape key while editing in a Sketch
• Disabling Sketch constraints
• Sync operation Placement with its Base object
• Embed Python code into FreeCAD document
• Dxf to Drill file conversion
• Human readable CAD file format
• Visual Programming in FreeCAD
• Making projects resistant to breaking changes

To Be Tested

Following tasks will be tested (by myself) and then merged into the appropriate sections of this HOWTO:

• Slice part with plane, Part Slice
• Make 3D from 2D drawings
• Multiple Holes, image, Link

Following Workbenches will be examined soon:

• https://github.com/yorikvanhavre/CADExchanger

Practical Notes

Assembly 3 Basics

• Asm3 Constraints and «Natural» Links
• Assembly3 Builder Scripts
• Point, Line, Surface description

Deeper Knowledge

• Understanding the Element concept
• Understanding the Cyclic dependency errors
• Race condition between Asm3 const. and Sketcher Ext. const
• Unpack and repack fcstd files

Miscellaneous

• Prevent TechDraw position jump: Use "LockPosition=true"
• Importing DXF files: Enable importer in Preferences
• Subshape not found: 1, Follow the best practices

Complementary Tasks

• Printing DXF 1:1:
  • TechDraw -> Export
  • LibreCAD -> Open -> Select drawing -> Print Preview -> select 1:1 -> Print

Basic Actions

Task	Screenshot/Screencast	Link
Using External Geometry		Link
Measure Distance Center to Center		Link
Customize WB Toolbar		---
Using filename as parameter source		Link
Projection Constraints		Link
Generating 2D drawing from an object	...	...
Create radius on a plate vertex		Link
Pause recalculations while working in spreadsheet	...	spreadsheet -> right click -> Skip recomputes
Set tolerance on cut		Part/3D Offset* or OpenScad/IncreaseTolerance
Resizing DXF logo	...	Draft/Scale
Iterating through cells	...	Link
Fast switch to Expression Mode	...	Type = in the property cell
Bend, punch with solids, unfold		bend-punch-unfold-example.fcstd.remove-me.zip
Performing FEM Analysis		...
Export components as STEP file	...	Select component(s) File->Export->Step See wiki

Assembly3 Actions

Task	Screenshot/Screencast	Link
Resetting orientation which is ruined by Move Part tool ()		Link
Moving an object inside sub-container		Link
Center to Plane Constraint		Link
Replacing Parts		Link
Assembly Dependent Boolean Operations / Part Design		Link, Updated Link
Centering distinct planes	...	Link
Assembly Based Dimensions		Link
Fixing broken binder		Select both Binder and the Part and click Sub-shape Binder
Fixing broken elements	...	Link
Find relations for a part		Click part + use the "Find Relations" button
Drag and drop in long trees		Select item, go to target container, T,D, click to drop
Creating offset for any constraint		Link
Renewing source of sub-shape binder	...	Drag and drop while Ctrl is pressed: Initiate dragging of source shape Hover on the target (binder) Hold Ctrl Click to drop
Refreshing unfold jobs automatically		See SheetMetalUnfoldUpdater.FCMacro
Measuring dynamic distance (assembly distance)	...	In spreadsheet cell: =<<myDistConstraint>>.Distance =<<DocumentName>>#<<myDistConstraint>>.Distance