FreeCAD workbench of tools to reverse engineer meshes
FreeCAD Forum: https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?t=101467
Detessellate is a collection of FreeCAD macros that introduce an algorithm-assisted workflow for reverse engineering mesh models such as imported STL, OBJ, or 3MF files.
📺 Click the image below to watch the demo video on YouTube
- Use MeshPlacement and MeshToBody to align and convert meshes to solids.
- Use CoplanarSketch to generate construction sketches for reconstructive solid features.
- Manually sketch or use SketchReProfile to automatically convert construction sketches to cleaner geometry.
- Potentially use SketcherWireDoctor (edge case only) to repair sketch errors prior to 3D feature creation.
- Finish features using either Part or PartDesign workbenches as desired.
MeshPlacement – recenter and align meshes to origin
MeshToBody – convert meshes into solids and bodies
CoplanarSketch – generate construction sketches from coplanar edges on tessellated solids
SketchReProfile – rebuild normal geometry profiles from construction sketches
SketcherWireDoctor – repair and clean sketch wires
EdgeLoopSelector – select and process edge loops
EdgeLoopToSketch - Generate sketches from selected coplanar 3D edges, preserving edge type.
VarSet-Update – update variable sets properties
TopoMatchSelector – match and select topology from earlier body features
Some of these macros are included for convenience and are not strictly part of the Detessellate workflow.
Install via FreeCAD Addon Manager by adding the Detessellate Repository to the custom repositories list.
- Open the Preferences via Edit > Preferences.
- Go to Addon Manager Options.
- Click the green Plus button under the Custom Repository list window to add to the list.
- Paste the Repository URL into the Custom Repository dialog box: https://github.com/DesignWeaver3D/Detessellate
- Type in the Branch name: main
- Click OK
- Open Addon Manager and find Detessellate in the list.
- Click Install
- Restart FreeCAD.
- Access tools from the Detessellate workbench and/or the custom toolbars that the workbench creates.
- 📚 Expanded documentation and tutorials
- 🛠️ Additional utilities for Detessellate workflows
- 🎯 Integration with FreeCAD Addon Manager
- v0.1.8 (2025‑12-08) - VarSetUpdate patched by @VeryOldBeard to fix the problem of replace being applied on partial matches and to add some more property tyepes.
- v0.1.7 (2025‑12-08) - EdgeLoopToSketch macro updated to v2.0 which fixes bugs and creates additional constraints in the sketch.
- v0.1.6 (2025‑12-07) - Added EdgeLoopToSketch macro for creating sketches from EdgeLoopSelector. Added face selection method to EdgeLoopSelector.
- v0.1.5 (2025‑12-07) - Added multiple loop selection to EdgeLoopSelector
- v0.1.4 (2025‑12‑02) – Fixed regression in CoplanarSketch Macro
- v0.1.3 (2025‑12‑02) – Optimized CoplanarSketch Macro for better handling of larger edge counts
- v0.1.2 (2025‑11‑30) – Improved tooltips for all toolbars
- v0.1.1 (2025‑11‑30) – Bug fix for
package.xmlfor Addon Manager - v0.1.0 (2025‑11‑26) – Initial release