BIM Workbench: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(10 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 94: Line 94:
2D objects are commonly used as drafting aids, or to draw base lines and profiles to build BIM objects on. They can also be used to draw symbols and annotations in your model. Apart from sketches, that use their own coordinate system, 2D objects will be drawn on the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|working plane]].
2D objects are commonly used as drafting aids, or to draw base lines and profiles to build BIM objects on. They can also be used to draw symbols and annotations in your model. Apart from sketches, that use their own coordinate system, 2D objects will be drawn on the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|working plane]].


* [[Image:BIM_Sketch.svg‎‎|32px]] [[BIM_Sketch|Sketch]]: creates‎ a new sketch and enters sketch edit mode. Sketches are advanced 2D objects with constraints support.
* [[Image:BIM_Sketch.svg‎‎|32px]] [[BIM_Sketch|Sketch]]: Creates‎ a new sketch and enters sketch edit mode. Sketches are advanced 2D objects with constraints support.


* [[Image:Draft_Line.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Line|Line]]: creates a straight line.
* [[Image:Draft_Line.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Line|Line]]: Creates a straight line.


* [[Image:Draft_Wire.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Wire|Polyline]]: creates a polyline (also called wire), a sequence of several connected line segments.
* [[Image:Draft_Wire.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Wire|Polyline]]: Creates a polyline (also called wire), a sequence of several connected line segments.


* [[Image:Draft_Circle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Circle|Circle]]: creates a circle from a center and a radius.
* [[Image:Draft_Circle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Circle|Circle]]: Creates a circle from a center and a radius.


* [[Image:Draft_Arc.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc|Arc]]: creates a circular arc from a center, a radius, a start angle and an aperture angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Arc.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc|Arc]]: Creates a circular arc from a center, a radius, a start angle and an aperture angle.


* [[Image:Draft_Arc_3Points.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc_3Points|Arc by 3 points]]: creates a circular arc from three points that define its circumference.
* [[Image:Draft_Arc_3Points.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc_3Points|Arc by 3 points]]: Creates a circular arc from three points that define its circumference.


* [[Image:Draft_Fillet.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Fillet|Fillet]]: creates a fillet, a rounded corner, or a chamfer, a straight edge, between two [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]].
* [[Image:Draft_Fillet.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Fillet|Fillet]]: Creates a fillet, a rounded corner, or a chamfer, a straight edge, between two [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]].


* [[Image:Draft_Ellipse.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Ellipse|Ellipse]]: creates an ellipse from two points defining a rectangle in which the ellipse will fit.
* [[Image:Draft_Ellipse.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Ellipse|Ellipse]]: Creates an ellipse from two points defining a rectangle in which the ellipse will fit.


* [[Image:Draft_Polygon.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Polygon|Polygon]]: creates a regular polygon from a center and a radius.
* [[Image:Draft_Polygon.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Polygon|Polygon]]: Creates a regular polygon from a center and a radius.


* [[Image:Draft_Rectangle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rectangle|Rectangle]]: creates a rectangle from two points.
* [[Image:Draft_Rectangle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rectangle|Rectangle]]: Creates a rectangle from two points.


* [[Image:Draft_BSpline.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BSpline|B-spline]]: creates a B-spline curve from several points.
* [[Image:Draft_BSpline.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BSpline|B-spline]]: Creates a B-spline curve from several points.


* [[Image:Draft_BezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BezCurve|Bézier curve]]: creates a Bézier curve from several points.
* [[Image:Draft_BezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BezCurve|Bézier curve]]: Creates a Bézier curve from several points.


* [[Image:Draft_CubicBezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CubicBezCurve|Cubic Bézier curve]]: creates a Bézier curve of the third degree.
* [[Image:Draft_CubicBezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CubicBezCurve|Cubic Bézier curve]]: Creates a Bézier curve of the third degree.


* [[Image:Draft_Point.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Point|Point]]: creates a simple point.
* [[Image:Draft_Point.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Point|Point]]: Creates a simple point.


=== 3D/BIM ===
=== 3D/BIM ===
Line 220: Line 220:
* [[Image:BIM_Text.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Text|Text]]:
* [[Image:BIM_Text.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Text|Text]]:


* [[Image:Draft_ShapeString.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShapeString|Shape from text]]: creates a compound shape that represents a text string.
* [[Image:Draft_ShapeString.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShapeString|Shape from text]]: Creates a compound shape that represents a text string.


* [[Image:BIM_DimensionAligned.svg|32px]] [[BIM_DimensionAligned|Aligned dimension]]:
* [[Image:BIM_DimensionAligned.svg|32px]] [[BIM_DimensionAligned|Aligned dimension]]:
Line 230: Line 230:
* [[Image:BIM_Leader.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Leader|Leader]]:
* [[Image:BIM_Leader.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Leader|Leader]]:


* [[Image:Draft_Label.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Label|Label]]: creates a multi-line text with a 2-segment leader line and an arrow.
* [[Image:Draft_Label.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Label|Label]]: Creates a multi-line text with a 2-segment leader line and an arrow.


* [[Image:Arch_Axis.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Axis|Axis]]: Adds a 1-direction array of axes.
* [[Image:Arch_Axis.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Axis|Axis]]: Adds a 1-direction array of axes.
Line 240: Line 240:
* [[Image:Arch_SectionPlane.svg|32px]] [[Arch_SectionPlane|Section Plane]]: Adds a section plane object.
* [[Image:Arch_SectionPlane.svg|32px]] [[Arch_SectionPlane|Section Plane]]: Adds a section plane object.


* [[Image:Draft_Hatch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Hatch|Hatch]]: creates hatches on the planar faces of a selected object.
* [[Image:Draft_Hatch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Hatch|Hatch]]: Creates hatches on the planar faces of a selected object.


* [[Image:BIM_TDPage.svg|32px]] [[BIM_TDPage|Page]]:
* [[Image:BIM_TDPage.svg|32px]] [[BIM_TDPage|Page]]:
Line 262: Line 262:
* [[Image:BIM_Compound.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Compound|Make compound]]: Creates a compound from selected objects.
* [[Image:BIM_Compound.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Compound|Make compound]]: Creates a compound from selected objects.


* [[Image:Draft_Offset.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Offset|Offset]]: offsets each segment of a selected object over a given distance, or creates an offset copy of the selected object.
* [[Image:Draft_Offset.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Offset|Offset]]: Offsets each segment of a selected object over a given distance, or creates an offset copy of the selected object.


* [[Image:BIM_Offset2D.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Offset2D|2D Offset]]: Constructs a parallel wire at certain distance from original, or enlarges/shrinks a planar face ((parametric version).
* [[Image:BIM_Offset2D.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Offset2D|2D Offset...]]: Constructs a parallel wire at certain distance from original, or enlarges/shrinks a planar face ((parametric version).


* [[Image:Draft_Trimex.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Trimex|Trimex]]: trims or extends a selected object
* [[Image:Draft_Trimex.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Trimex|Trimex]]: Trims or extends a selected object.


* [[Image:Draft_Join.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Join|Join]]: joins [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]] and [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wires]] into a single wire.
* [[Image:Draft_Join.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Join|Join]]: Joins [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]] and [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wires]] into a single wire.


* [[Image:Draft_Split.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Split|Split]]: splits a [[Draft_Line|Draft Line]] or [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wire]] at a specified point or edge.
* [[Image:Draft_Split.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Split|Split]]: Splits a [[Draft_Line|Draft Line]] or [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wire]] at a specified point or edge.


* [[Image:Draft_Scale.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Scale|Scale]]: scales or copies selected objects around a base point.
* [[Image:Draft_Scale.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Scale|Scale]]: Scales or copies selected objects around a base point.


* [[Image:Draft_Stretch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Stretch|Stretch]]: stretches objects by moving selected points.
* [[Image:Draft_Stretch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Stretch|Stretch]]: Stretches objects by moving selected points.


* [[Image:Draft_Draft2Sketch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Draft2Sketch|Draft to sketch]]: converts Draft objects to [[Sketcher_NewSketch|Sketcher Sketches]] and vice versa.
* [[Image:Draft_Draft2Sketch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Draft2Sketch|Draft to sketch]]: Converts Draft objects to [[Sketcher_NewSketch|Sketcher Sketches]] and vice versa.


* [[Image:Draft_Upgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Upgrade|Upgrade]]: upgrades selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Upgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Upgrade|Upgrade]]: Upgrades selected objects.


* [[Image:Draft_Downgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Downgrade|Downgrade]]: downgrades selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Downgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Downgrade|Downgrade]]: Downgrades selected objects.


* [[Image:Arch_Add.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Add|Add component]]: Adds objects to a component.
* [[Image:Arch_Add.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Add|Add component]]: Adds objects to a component.
Line 286: Line 286:
* [[Image:Arch_Remove.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Remove|Remove component]]: Subtracts or removes objects from a component.
* [[Image:Arch_Remove.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Remove|Remove component]]: Subtracts or removes objects from a component.


* [[Image:Draft_OrthoArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_OrthoArray|Array]]: creates an orthogonal array from a selected object. It can optionally create a [[App_Link|Link]] array.
* [[Image:Draft_OrthoArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_OrthoArray|Array]]: Creates an orthogonal array from a selected object. It can optionally create a [[App_Link|Link]] array.


* [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path array]]: creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along a path.
* [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path array]]: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along a path.


* [[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular array]]: creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along concentric circumferences. It can optionally create a [[App_Link|Link]] array.
* [[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular array]]: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along concentric circumferences. It can optionally create a [[App_Link|Link]] array.


* [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point array]]: creates an array from a selected object by placing copies at the points from a point compound.
* [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point array]]: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies at the points from a point compound.


* [[Image:Arch_CutPlane.svg|32px]] [[Arch_CutPlane|Cut with plane]]: Cuts an object according to a plane.
* [[Image:Arch_CutPlane.svg|32px]] [[Arch_CutPlane|Cut with plane]]: Cuts an object according to a plane.


* [[Image:Draft_Mirror.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Mirror|Mirror]]: creates mirrored copies from selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Mirror.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Mirror|Mirror]]: Creates mirrored copies from selected objects.


* [[Image:BIM_Extrude.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Extrude|Extrude...]]: Extrudes planar faces of an object.
* [[Image:BIM_Extrude.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Extrude|Extrude...]]: Extrudes planar faces of an object.


* [[Image:BIM_Cut.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Cut|Difference]]: Cuts (subtracts) one object from another.
* [[Image:BIM_Cut.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Cut|Difference]]: Subtracts one object from another.


* [[Image:BIM_Fuse.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Fuse|Union]]: Fuses (unions) two objects.
* [[Image:BIM_Fuse.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Fuse|Union]]: Fuses two objects.


* [[Image:BIM_Common.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Common|Intersection]]: Extracts the common part of two objects.
* [[Image:BIM_Common.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Common|Intersection]]: Extracts the common part of two objects.
Line 332: Line 332:
* [[Image:BIM_Preflight.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Preflight|Preflight checks...]]: Perform different checks on your model before exporting to IFC.
* [[Image:BIM_Preflight.svg|32px]] [[BIM_Preflight|Preflight checks...]]: Perform different checks on your model before exporting to IFC.


* [[Image:Draft_AnnotationStyleEditor.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AnnotationStyleEditor|Annotation styles...]]: allows you to define styles that affect the visual properties of annotation-like objects.
* [[Image:Draft_AnnotationStyleEditor.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AnnotationStyleEditor|Annotation styles...]]: Allows you to define styles that affect the visual properties of annotation-like objects.


=== Utils ===
=== Utils ===
Line 342: Line 342:
* [[Image:BIM_WPView.svg|32px]] [[BIM_WPView|Working Plane View]]:
* [[Image:BIM_WPView.svg|32px]] [[BIM_WPView|Working Plane View]]:


* [[Image:Draft_SelectGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectGroup|Select group]]: selects the contents of [[Std_Group|Std Groups]] or group-like [[Arch_Workbench|Arch]] objects.
* [[Image:Draft_SelectGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectGroup|Select group]]: Selects the contents of [[Std_Group|Std Groups]] or group-like [[Arch_Workbench|Arch]] objects.


* [[Image:Draft_Slope.svg|32px]] [[Draft Slope|Set slope]]: slopes selected [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]] or [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wires]] by increasing, or decreasing, the Z coordinate of all points after the first one.
* [[Image:Draft_Slope.svg|32px]] [[Draft Slope|Set slope]]: Slopes selected [[Draft_Line|Draft Lines]] or [[Draft_Wire|Draft Wires]] by increasing, or decreasing, the Z coordinate of all points after the first one.


* [[Image:Draft_WorkingPlaneProxy.svg|32px]] [[Draft_WorkingPlaneProxy|Create working plane proxy]]: creates a working plane proxy to save the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Draft working plane]].
* [[Image:Draft_WorkingPlaneProxy.svg|32px]] [[Draft_WorkingPlaneProxy|Create working plane proxy]]: Creates a working plane proxy to save the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Draft working plane]].


* [[Image:Draft_AddConstruction.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddConstruction|Add to construction group]]: moves objects to the [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Draft construction group]].
* [[Image:Draft_AddConstruction.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddConstruction|Add to construction group]]: Moves objects to the [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Draft construction group]].


* [[Image:Arch_SplitMesh.svg|32px]] [[Arch_SplitMesh|Split Mesh]]: Splits a selected mesh into separate components.
* [[Image:Arch_SplitMesh.svg|32px]] [[Arch_SplitMesh|Split Mesh]]: Splits a selected mesh into separate components.
Line 409: Line 409:


* [[Image:IFC_UpdateIOS.svg|32px]] [[IFC_UpdateIOS|IfcOpenShell update]]:
* [[Image:IFC_UpdateIOS.svg|32px]] [[IFC_UpdateIOS|IfcOpenShell update]]:

* Nudge:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Switch|Nudge Switch]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Up|Nudge Up]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Down|Nudge Down]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Left|Nudge Left]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Right|Nudge Right]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_RotateLeft|Nudge Rotate Left]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_RotateRight|Nudge Rotate Right]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Extend|Nudge Extend]]:

:* [[BIM_Nudge_Shrink|Nudge Shrink]]:

=== Status bar ===

TBD

=== Tree view context menu ===

TBD

=== 3D view context menu ===

TBD

=== Obsolete tools ===

* [[Image:Arch_CutLine.svg|32px]] [[Arch_CutLine|Cut with line]]: Cuts an object according to a line. Not available in {{VersionPlus|1.0}}.


== Tutorials and Learning == <!--T:45-->
== Tutorials and Learning == <!--T:45-->

Revision as of 21:55, 8 June 2024

This documentation is not finished. Please help and contribute documentation.

GuiCommand model explains how commands should be documented. Browse Category:UnfinishedDocu to see more incomplete pages like this one. See Category:Command Reference for all commands.

See WikiPages to learn about editing the wiki pages, and go to Help FreeCAD to learn about other ways in which you can contribute.

BIM Workbench icon

Introduction

[The BIM, Native-IFC and Arch WB were merged into BIM WB (Built-in now) in May 2024 (in development version)]

The BIM Workbench is an external workbench aimed at implementing complete Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and workflow in FreeCAD. It can be installed from the Addon Manager.

The BIM Workbench is based on the built-in Arch Workbench, and both will probably be merged in the future. The BIM Workbench is a "meta workbench", intended to gather many useful tools from other workbenches in a single place, and create a workflow that is more convenient and user-friendly to both experienced BIM users and beginners. The BIM workbench also features some specific tools of its own, mostly wizards and management tools, located under the Management menu.

See FreeCAD BIM migration guide for a quick overview if you are already a user of another BIM application.

The developers of Draft, Arch and BIM also collaborate with the greater OSArch community, with the ultimate goal of improving building design by using entirely free software.

Installing

The BIM workbench is not bundled with the default FreeCAD package, but can easily be installed via the Addon Manager. Invoke it from Tools → Addon Manager. The BIM workbench code is hosted and developed on github and can also be installed manually by copying it into FreeCAD's MOD directory.

Note

The BIM workbench is a work in progress, and will change often. Be sure to update it regularly! If you have the Python-Git module installed, the BIM workbench will automatically look for available updates at start, and display an icon in the status bar if an update is available.

The tools listed below might also not all be present if your FreeCAD version is not fully up-to-date. The BIM workbench should however work seamlessly on all FreeCAD versions, it will only drop the tools not available.

Getting started

Upon starting the BIM workbench for the first time, a welcome dialog is shown, giving a quick overview of how the workbench works, and allowing the user to start an in-game tutorial. The welcome dialog is also available from the help menu. When the welcome screen is closed by clicking OK, the BIM setup dialog will be shown, that allows the user to quickly set some of the most common BIM-related preferences of FreeCAD without the need to browse through the full FreeCAD preferences pages.

The BIM project setup tool allows you to quickly setup a BIM project by filling some basic information about your project. You can then, for example, use the different 2D drafting tools to sketch guidelines and baselines, then use the different 3D modeling tools to automatically build 3D BIM objects from them. A line, for example, can become a wall simply by selecting it and pressing the Wall button.

If you are used to another BIM application, check our BIM application compatibility table to get your marks when starting with FreeCAD.

The in-game tutorial is an easy way to quickly get on track with the BIM workbench.

Tools

[The BIM, Native-IFC and Arch WB were merged int BIM WB in May 2024]

The BIM workbench gather tools from several other FreeCAD workbenches, mainly Draft, Arch and Part, roughly reorganized in logical categories: 2D drafting, 3D modeling, annotation and modification tools. The manage category contains tools that are specific to the BIM workbench.

Additionally, if such addons are installed, tools from Reinforcement (extra reinforcing bar tools), Fasteners (bolts and screws), Flamingo/Dodo (metal structure and piping tools) and Parts Library are automatically included in the BIM workbench.

The BIM workbench also adds a series of items in the status bar of FreeCAD, and a couple of context menu items, accessible by right-clicking in the 3D view or in the tree view.

2D drafting

2D objects are commonly used as drafting aids, or to draw base lines and profiles to build BIM objects on. They can also be used to draw symbols and annotations in your model. Apart from sketches, that use their own coordinate system, 2D objects will be drawn on the current working plane.

  • Sketch: Creates‎ a new sketch and enters sketch edit mode. Sketches are advanced 2D objects with constraints support.
  • Line: Creates a straight line.
  • Polyline: Creates a polyline (also called wire), a sequence of several connected line segments.
  • Circle: Creates a circle from a center and a radius.
  • Arc: Creates a circular arc from a center, a radius, a start angle and an aperture angle.
  • Arc by 3 points: Creates a circular arc from three points that define its circumference.
  • Fillet: Creates a fillet, a rounded corner, or a chamfer, a straight edge, between two Draft Lines.
  • Ellipse: Creates an ellipse from two points defining a rectangle in which the ellipse will fit.
  • Polygon: Creates a regular polygon from a center and a radius.
  • Rectangle: Creates a rectangle from two points.
  • B-spline: Creates a B-spline curve from several points.
  • Point: Creates a simple point.

3D/BIM

3D and BIM objects are the real-world elements that will compose your BIM project.

  • Project: Creates a project including selected objects.
  • Site: Creates a site including selected objects.
  • Building: Creates a building including selected objects.
  • Level: Creates a floor including selected objects.
  • Space: Creates a space object.
  • Wall: Creates a wall from scratch or using a selected object as a base.
  • Curtain Wall: Creates a curtain wall from scratch or using a selected object as a base.
  • Column: Creates a vertical structural element at a given point, optionally using a selected object as a profile.
  • Beam: Creates a horizontal structural element between two points, optionally using a selected object as a profile.
  • Slab: Creates a flat structural element by extruding a selected flat object.
  • Door: Creates a Window object using door presets.
  • Window: Creates a window from scratch or using a selected object as a base.
  • Pipe: Creates a pipe.
  • Connector: Creates a corner or T-connection between 2 or 3 selected pipes.
  • Stairs: Creates a stairs object.
  • Roof: Creates a sloped roof from a selected wire.
  • Panel: Creates a panel object from a selected 2D object.
  • Frame: Creates a frame object from a selected layout.
  • Fence: Creates a fence object from a selected post and path.
  • Truss: Creates a truss from a selected line or from scratch.
  • Equipment: Creates an equipment or furniture object.
  • Reinforcement tools:
These tools, except the first, are only available if the Reinforcement Workbench has been installed.
  • Custom Rebar: Creates a custom reinforcement bar in a selected structural element using a sketch.
  • Straight Rebar: Creates a straight reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • U-Shape Rebar: Creates a U-shape reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • L-Shape Rebar: Creates an L-shape reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • Stirrup: Creates a stirrup reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • Bent-Shape Rebar: Creates a bent-shape reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • Helical Rebar: Creates a helical reinforcement bar in a selected structural element.
  • Generic 3D tools:
These tools build generic 3D objects that can be turned or used into BIM components.
  • Profile: Creates a parametric 2D profile.
  • Box: Creates a box by specifying its dimensions graphically.
  • Shape builder...: Creates more complex shapes from various geometric primitives.
  • Facebinder: creates a surface object from selected faces.
  • Component: Creates a non-parametric Arch component.

Annotation

Annotations are visual help objects that can be placed inside your model. They can be used to export your model directly to a 2D format like DXF, or reused when creating 2D views of your model with the TechDraw Workbench.

  • Label: Creates a multi-line text with a 2-segment leader line and an arrow.
  • Axis: Adds a 1-direction array of axes.
  • Axis System: Adds an axis system composed of several axes.
  • Grid: Adds a grid-like object.
  • Hatch: Creates hatches on the planar faces of a selected object.

Modify

  • Move: Moves or copies selected objects from one point to another.
  • Copy: Copies selected objects from one point to another.
  • Rotate: Rotates or copies selected objects around a center point by a given angle.
  • Clone: Clones selected objects.
  • Offset: Offsets each segment of a selected object over a given distance, or creates an offset copy of the selected object.
  • 2D Offset...: Constructs a parallel wire at certain distance from original, or enlarges/shrinks a planar face ((parametric version).
  • Trimex: Trims or extends a selected object.
  • Scale: Scales or copies selected objects around a base point.
  • Stretch: Stretches objects by moving selected points.
  • Upgrade: Upgrades selected objects.
  • Array: Creates an orthogonal array from a selected object. It can optionally create a Link array.
  • Path array: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along a path.
  • Circular array: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along concentric circumferences. It can optionally create a Link array.
  • Point array: Creates an array from a selected object by placing copies at the points from a point compound.
  • Mirror: Creates mirrored copies from selected objects.
  • Union: Fuses two objects.

Manage

  • BIM Setup...: Configures some of the FreeCAD preferences most commonly used for BIM.
  • Views manager: Manage the different views and levels of your project.
  • Schedule: Creates different types of schedules.
  • Annotation styles...: Allows you to define styles that affect the visual properties of annotation-like objects.

Utils

  • Split Mesh: Splits a selected mesh into separate components.
  • Mesh to Shape: Converts a mesh into a shape, unifying coplanar faces.
  • Close holes: Closes holes in a selected shape-based object.
  • Check: Check if the selected objects are solids and don't contain defects.
  • Survey: Enters or leaves surveying mode.
  • Panel tools:
  • Panel: Creates a panel object from a selected 2D object.
  • Panel Cut: Creates a 2D cut view from a panel.
  • Panel Sheet: Creates a 2D cut sheet including panel cuts or other 2D objects.
  • Nest: Allows to nest several flat objects inside a container shape.
  • Structure tools:
  • Structure: Creates a structural element from scratch or using a selected object as a base.
  • Nudge:

Status bar

TBD

Tree view context menu

TBD

3D view context menu

TBD

Obsolete tools

  • Cut with line: Cuts an object according to a line. Not available in version 1.0 and above.

Tutorials and Learning