FreeCAD Download, Workflows & Integrations

Publisher:

File size:: 436 MB

Date added:: Jan 25, 2023 | Last update check: 1 minute ago

Licence:: Open-source / Free

Runs on:: Windows 7 64-bit / 8 64-bit / 10 64-bit

FreeCAD is a parametric 3D modeling software that is open-source and can be used for commercial use. It provides both CAD and BIM functionalities. Parametric modeling software means your 3D and 2D objects are driven by parameters, or properties. Almost any property of any object can be plugged into another property. You can easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.

FreeCAD is a free alternative to AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, Inventor and Revit. Compared to these commercial solutions, many capabilities are missing. However, the true power of FreeCAD are parametric relationships and modular nature that allows you to adapt workflow for different environments: 2D drawing, 3D modeling, animation and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

FreeCAD’s native file format is FreeCAD Standard file format (.FCStd). It supports the following file formats: DWG, DXF, SVG, STL, OBJ, DAE, DAT, CSV, 3DS, IV and IFC (among others). For a full list of supported file formats please visit https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Import_Export.

Features:

Model 3D objects. It is primarily made for mechanical design, but it can also be used for product design, architecture and interior design. There is no limitation in model size – you can model engineering parts or buildings. You can create a 3D object from a 2D sketch. You can export them to a wide range of file formats, or 3D-print them.
Generate 2D views. You can generate 2D drawings (plans and sections) in DWG or DXF file formats and export them as PDF from your 3D model. FreeCAD is not targeted at a specific profession – it can be used by mechanical engineers, civil engineers, structural engineers and architects.
Workbenches. Similarly to CATIA, tools are grouped into workbenches. Workbenches are collections of tools with specific purpose and workflows. For example, built-in workbenches include Arch, Draft, FEM, Spreadsheets, etc. Also there are external workbenches, such as BIM workbench, that can be installed from the Addon Manager. You can switch workbenches anytime during the work. You can create your own workbench with your favourite tools from other workbenches.
Spreadsheets. Using the Spreadsheet workbench or the Schedule tool (Arch workbench) you can extract all kinds of data and quantities from your model.
Analysis. You can perform different kinds of analysis on your model. The FEM workbench provides finite element analysis (FEA) workflow.
BIM capabilities. By installing BIM workbench you can add BIM capabilities to FreeCAD.
Open-source. FreeCAD is being developed and updated by a community of dedicated users. It is not a one-way work delivered to you by its developers.
Platform independent. FreeCAD is available for Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
Growing community of users. You can find many examples of projects developed with FreeCAD in the FreeCAD forum.

BIM with FreeCAD

FreeCAD can be used for Building Information Modeling (BIM) too. If you are going to work with BIM, you need to install the BIM workbench. It is not bundled by default in FreeCAD. You need to install it from Addon Manager. FreeCAD supports importing and exporting of IFC files, which is an open file format used by BIM software. For more information on FreeCAD BIM workflow please visit FreeCAD BIM migration guide.

FreeCAD and Blender workflow

FreeCAD allows you to export your models to Blender for rendering. Although you can create renders directly from FreeCAD, Blender provides more advanced rendering capabilities. Both applications are open-source, they are free and always will be. In order to export FreeCAD models to Blender, you need to use an exchange format such as STL, OBJ, and DAE.

What’s new in version 0.20:

Updated splash screen.
New help system.
User Interface improvements.
Core system and API improvements.
Workbenches improvements.

About The FreeCAD Team

FreeCAD is originally created by Jürgen Riegel, Werner Mayer, and Yorik van Havre. It is launched in 2002.

Gallery

Version 0.20

Start screen. ©OficineRobotica

Preferences: General. ©OficineRobotica

Preferences: Available workbenches. ©OficineRobotica

Addon Manager. ©OficineRobotica

Part Design workbench. ©OficineRobotica

Arch workbench. ©OficineRobotica

Draft workbench. ©OficineRobotica

FEM workbench. ©OficineRobotica

Sketcher workbench. ©OficineRobotica

Spreadsheet workbench. ©OficineRobotica

TechDraw workbench. ©OficineRobotica

Older versions

Part workbench. ©freecadweb.org

Model created in FreeCAD. ©freecadweb.org

Arch workbench. ©freecadweb.org

Model created in FreeCAD. ©freecadweb.org

Arch workbench. ©freecadweb.org

Arch workbench. ©freecadweb.org

BIM workbench. ©freecadweb.org

BIM workbench. ©yorik.uncreated.net

BIM workbench. ©yorik.uncreated.net