Branding

This article describes the Branding of FreeCAD. That is how to give FreeCAD a unique look.

General
Most of the branding is done in the FreeCADMain module. In the file MainGui.cpp the most important settings for a new look can be made in one place. Here is the code section that controls the branding:

1 // Name and Version of the Application 2 App::Application::Config["ExeName"] = "FreeCAD"; 3 4 // set the banner (for logging and console) 5 App::Application::Config["ConsoleBanner"] = sBanner; 6 App::Application::Config["AppIcon"] = "FCIcon"; 7 App::Application::Config["SplashPicture"] = "FreeCADSplasher";

The first command in line 2 defines the Programm name. This is not the executable name, which can be changed by renaming or by compiler settings, but the name that is displayed in the taskbar on windows or in the program list on unix systems.

Line 5 defines a text string that contains the console banner that is shown on startup. Lines 6 and 7 define the program icon image and the splash screen image.

Program Name
To change the program name, just change the string for the config setting of "ExeName" in MainGui.cpp. Et voila, you just made your first step in creating an own brand based on FreeCAD.

Images
All image resources are compiled into FreeCAD. This reduces delayed loading and keeps the installation compact. The images are included in XPM-Format which is basically a text format that uses C-syntax. You can basically draw this images with a text editor, but it is more comfortable to create the images with your favorite graphics program and convert it later to XPM format.

For conversion you can use the ImageConv tool wich is included with freecad. You can find it under

/trunk/src/Tools/ImageTools/ImageConv

It can not only convert images but also automatically update the BmpFactoryIcons.cpp file, where the images are registered. The typical usage is as simple like the following example:

ImageConv -i InputImage.png -o OutputImage.xpm

This converts the file InputImage.png in XPM-format and writes the result to file OutputImage.xpm.

Icons
The main application icon FCIcon that appears in window titles and other places is defined in

/trunk/src/Gui/Icons/images.cpp

and starts with the line

static const char *FCIcon[]={

Replace it with your favourite icon, recompile freecad and the next step to create your own brand is done. There are many other icons in this file that you might change to your gusto.

If you need to add new icons, you have to register it in /trunk/src/Gui/Icons/BmpFactoryIcons.cpp so that you can access from FreeCAD.

Splash Screen
The splash screen image, that is also used as background for the About Box is located in the file /trunk/src/Gui/Icons/developers.h and starts with the line static const char* const splash_screen[] = { Replace the contents of this static array with an XPM image of your choice to make FreeCAD looking more how you like it.

Background Image
The background image appears, when no document window is open. Like the splash screen it is defined in developers.h in the section starting with: static const char* const background[]={ You should choose a low contrast image for the background. Otherwise it might irritate the user.