FreeCAD | Learn the basics

[iteles]

The next step is to learn the basic tools of FreeCAD for a 'feel' of the software, although there is a question here as to whether a small set of 'learn the basics' tutorials or launching right into 'learning whilst working on a practical project' is better (may warrant a separate issue).

The key for us with this repo will be that this isn't ALL the basics of FreeCAD, it is just the ones most relevant to laser cutting for now.

Whereas I think that #36 can go into the readme now (after approval), this section cannot yet be included as first I plan to review a few videos to get a good feel for freeCAD myself and then go into laser cutting specifics. The list of 'basics' will then get pared down and be able to be included in the readme.

Any basics that are obviously required for laser cutting can be added to the readme as we go, without having to wait for a full list to be compiled.

Tasks

• Find a couple of good resources on basics
• Review these and comment with notes on this issue
• Pare basics down to the ones that are actually used for laser cutting as we require them and add to the readme

[iteles]

This series is old, as in over 2 years old and the sound quality is terrible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_czsNdUfs&list=PL2935W76vRNFvUGefQr3q9P9eezJZyj-u

Although in the last couple of weeks they seem to have picked up FreeCAD tutorials again!

But it seems to be a really good review of the basic functions and as such, I'm going to zip through it to better understand the functionality of FreeCAD, seeing as I'm a beginner in parametric modelling as well as FreeCAD specifically.

• 2 Sketches and _Constraints - Useful as goes through all constraints of the time, but these may have changed since (basics will be the same)
• 3 Extrude
  • Shows both linear pad extrude and revolve extrude which creates an extrude around a central axis as opposed to just up or donw
• 4 Loft in Part Design
  • Requires 2 sketches on different planes and joins them into a solid object
  • At 03:50 also teaches you to create parallel planes
  • A plane is an object whereas a sketch isn't
• 5 Sweep in Part Design
  • Uses one sketch as the thing you want to extrude and the second as the path along which you're going to extrude it
  • After 30 seconds into the video it actually takes you through sketching and constraining a sketch pretty quickly if you want a short recap
  • At 06:25 talks you through how to make a groove along a specified path in the object
  • Also discusses difference between Part (usually used for editing 3D parts) and Part Design (usually used for creating 3D parts) workbenches at 04:23
• 7 Mirror and Patterns
  • Seems super useful to allow you to mirror sketches (holes, cut-outs etc) symmetrically across planes
  • At 0:35 he talks you through making a hole through an object with Pocket
    
  • Talks through a number of pattern-making tools, culminating in Multitransform tool to make multiple patterns at once
    
• 8 Boolean Operators in Part workbench (also in Part Design if needed)
  • Talks through unions (combines 2 shapes), differences (cuts out intersection from the object along with the second shape), intersect (leaves only the intersection of 2 objects)

Definitely need to understand the full work cycle from computer to laser cutter to understand which ones of these are useful or not (e.g. holes in 3D vs 2D).

[nelsonic]

@iteles pad (extrude) is relevant when making bodies (3D) out of sketches (2D).
Ultimately if you can visualise the model in your mind you don't need to do it in 3D in CAD and can just export the 2D Sketch.
Want to try and do a walkthrough of the FreeCAD Workflow from file to Laser Cut today? 💭

[nelsonic]

@iteles have you had a look at the available books/e-books on Amazon? Any thoughts? e.g:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FreeCAD-Basics-Tutorial-Assemblies-Drawings-ebook/dp/B07MKKRJJ3/

[nelsonic]

Best basic intro I've found/followed is by Jayanam: FreeCAD Tutorial for Beginners: https://youtu.be/sxnij3CkkdU

The only thing to note is: he doesn't do the transition from initial Sketch to Body before the Pad.

Remember to create a Body from the Sketch and then apply the Pad to the Sketch (inside the body).

[nelsonic]

FreeCAD 0.18 Learn By Doing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/FreeCAD-Learn-Doing-Tutorial-Books/dp/8194613701

Amazon postage/delivery to PT is £5.84 so worth searching for alternative suppliers:
https://www.bookdepository.com/FreeCAD-0-18-Learn-By-Doing-Tutorial-Books/9788194613701

Would prefer it if the book covered v0.19 but this is a starting point. 💭
148 pages is quite short.
@iteles thoughts?

[nelsonic]

This FreeCAD Modelling Tutorial does not have voiceover but is still good practice: https://youtu.be/ytBhs6F9-t0

[nelsonic]

FreeCAD Beginner Tutorial Part Design:

This is an incredibly basic tutorial designed for complete beginners.
I followed along. The pace is good, it did not skip any steps and the narration is good.