Feature
Introduction
In FreeCAD the word "Feature" is normally used to refer to a PartDesign Feature object (PartDesign::Feature
class) that is defined by the PartDesign Workbench. This is an operation or modelling step performed to create or modify a solid Shape following the feature editing paradigm.
See PartDesign Feature for more information about this type of object.
Usage
- Switch to the
PartDesign Workbench.
- Press
PartDesign Body.
- Press
PartDesign NewSketch to create a new Sketch.
- Create a closed wire, and then use
PartDesign Pad to extrude the sketch, and create an initial solid. This initial solid is the initial Feature.
- Add more sketches and pads, and use other tools of the PartDesign Workbench to modify and transform the initial solid. Each of these steps correspond to Features of the Body.
- Alternatively, add primitive objects, like
PartDesign Additive box and
PartDesign Subtractive cylinder. Any number of additive and subtractive steps are Features that are used to create a final volume.
Notes
In the general sense, a "Feature" can be any modelling step used to create a final Shape, with any tool of any workbench.
- For example, in the Part Workbench, in the constructive solid geometry workflow, a "Feature" could be any boolean operation, like
Part Fuse,
Part Cut, or
Part Common.
In a more specific sense, a "Feature" is a modelling step used inside a PartDesign Body.
- For example,
PartDesign Additive cylinder,
PartDesign Additive loft,
PartDesign Pocket,
PartDesign Subtractive cone, etc., are all "Features".
- Structure tools: Part, Group
- Helper tools: Create body, Create sketch, Edit sketch, Map sketch to face
- Modeling tools
- Datum tools: Create a datum point, Create a datum line, Create a datum plane, Create a local coordinate system, Create a shape binder, Create a sub-object(s) shape binder, Create a clone
- Additive tools: Pad, Revolution, Additive loft, Additive pipe, Additive helix, Additive box, Additive cylinder, Additive sphere, Additive cone, Additive ellipsoid, Additive torus, Additive prism, Additive wedge
- Subtractive tools: Pocket, Hole, Groove, Subtractive loft, Subtractive pipe, Subtractive helix, Subtractive box, Subtractive cylinder, Subtractive sphere, Subtractive cone, Subtractive ellipsoid, Subtractive torus, Subtractive prism, Subtractive wedge
- Transformation tools: Mirrored, Linear Pattern, Polar Pattern, Create MultiTransform, Scaled
- Dress-up tools: Fillet, Chamfer, Draft, Thickness
- Boolean: Boolean operation
- Extras: Migrate, Sprocket, Involute gear, Shaft design wizard
- Context menu: Set tip, Move object to other body, Move object after other object, Appearance, Set colors
- Primitives: Box, Cylinder, Sphere, Cone, Torus, Tube, Create primitives, Shape builder
- Creation and modification: Extrude, Revolve, Mirror, Fillet, Chamfer, Make face from wires, Ruled Surface, Loft, Sweep, Section, Cross sections, 3D Offset, 2D Offset, Thickness, Projection on surface, Attachment
- Boolean: Make compound, Explode Compound, Compound Filter, Boolean, Cut, Fuse, Common, Connect, Embed, Cutout, Boolean fragments, Slice apart, Slice, XOR
- Measure: Measure Linear, Measure Angular, Measure Refresh, Clear All, Toggle All, Toggle 3D, Toggle Delta
- Core: App DocumentObject
- Basic: App FeaturePython, App GeoFeature, Part Feature, Mesh Feature, Fem FemMeshObject
- Internal shapes: Part TopoShape, Mesh MeshObject, Fem FemMesh
- Structure: App DocumentObjectGroup (Std Group), App Part (Std Part), App Link (Std LinkMake)
- Derived: Part Part2DObject, Sketcher SketchObject, PartDesign Body, PartDesign Feature

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