Draft Preferences: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
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{{Docnav
{{Docnav
|[[Preferences_Editor|Preferences Editor]]
|[[Draft_Pattern|Pattern]]
|[[Start_up_and_Configuration|Start up and Configuration]]
|[[Draft_DXF|Autodesk .DXF .DWG]]
|[[Draft_Module|Draft]]
|IconL=
|IconR=
|IconC=Workbench_Draft.svg
}}
}}


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==Introduction== <!--T:221-->
The preferences for the [[Draft_Workbench|Draft Workbench]] can be found in the [[Preferences Editor|Preferences Editor]]. In the menu select {{MenuCommand|Edit → Preferences...}} and then {{MenuCommand|Draft}}.


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FreeCAD can import and export many file formats. For some formats dedicated preferences exist. These can be found in the [[Preferences_Editor|Preferences editor]]. In the menu select {{MenuCommand|Edit → Preferences...}} and then {{MenuCommand|Import-Export}}.
There are five pages: [[#General|General]], [[#Interface|Interface]], [[#Grid_and_snapping|Grid and snapping]], [[#Visual|Visual]] and [[#Texts_and_dimensions|Texts and dimensions]].


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Not all import and export preferences tabs are available by default. For some a workbench has to be loaded first.
Some advanced preferences can only be changed in the [[Std_DlgParameter|Parameter editor]]. See [[Fine-tuning#Draft Workbench|Fine-tuning]].


<!--T:152-->
==Notes== <!--T:237-->
This page has been updated for version 1.0.


<!--T:153-->
===TechDraw pages=== <!--T:229-->
In {{VersionMinus|0.21}} some preferences may appear on a different page, and in some cases FreeCAD must be restarted after changing a preference.


== General == <!--T:3-->
<!--T:230-->
The DXF and SVG preferences listed here are not used by the [[File:TechDraw_ExportPageSVG.svg|24px]] [[TechDraw_ExportPageSVG|Export Page as SVG]] and [[File:TechDraw_ExportPageDXF.svg|24px]] [[TechDraw_ExportPageDXF|Export Page as DXF]] commands of the [[Image:Workbench_TechDraw.svg|24px]] [[TechDraw_Workbench|TechDraw Workbench]], or by the [[TechDraw_Workbench|TechDraw]] export option: {{MenuCommand|File → Export → Technical Drawing (*.svg *.dxf *.pdf)}}.


===OpenSCAD files=== <!--T:238-->
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[[Image:Preferences_Draft_Page_General.png|400px]]
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<!--T:154-->
<!--T:239-->
The import and export preferences for OpenSCAD files are listed in a different part of the [[Preferences_Editor|Preferences editor]]. See the [[OpenSCAD_Preferences|OpenSCAD Preferences]].
On the this page you can specify the following:


<!--T:25-->
==Related== <!--T:224-->

{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed"
<!--T:225-->
See the following pages for additional information:
* [[Import_Export|Import Export]]: A table listing all supported file formats.
* [[FreeCAD_Howto_Import_Export|FreeCAD Howto Import Export]]: A list of tutorials that can help users convert data from one format to another.

==Available preferences== <!--T:231-->

===DAE=== <!--T:146-->

<!--T:147-->
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COLLADA Collada] DAE (Digital Asset Exchange) format is a standard file format for exchange of Mesh data. FreeCAD can import meshes from {{FileName|.dae}} files, and export [[Part_Workbench|Shape]]-based objects to the {{FileName|.dae}} format.

<!--T:241-->
Note for Linux users: To handle this file format FreeCAD requires the [[Extra_python_modules|pyCollada module]].

<!--T:148-->
For the DAE format you can specify the following:

<!--T:149-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
!style="width: 66%;"|Description

<!--T:27-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Internal precision level}}
| {{MenuCommand|Scaling factor}}
| All dimensions in the file will be scaled with the specified factor.
| The number of decimals used in internal coordinate operations (for example 3 = 0.001). Values between 6 and 8 are usually considered the best trade-off.

<!--T:26-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Default working plane}}
| {{MenuCommand|Mesher}}
| Sets the meshing program that should be used. If using ''Netgen'', make sure that it is available. This can be checked by using the [[Image:Workbench_Mesh.svg|24px]] [[Mesh_Workbench|Mesh Workbench]] and [[Mesh_FromPartShape|creating a mesh]] using Netgen. If it is not available another version of FreeCAD, compiled with Netgen, must be installed.
| The default [[Draft_SelectPlane|working plane]] for new views. The options are:
* {{MenuCommand|Automatic}}: If set to {{MenuCommand|Automatic}} the working plane will automatically align with the current view whenever a command is started. Additionally it will align to preselected planar faces, or when points on planar faces are picked during commands.
* {{MenuCommand|XY (Top)}}
* {{MenuCommand|XZ (Front)}}
* {{MenuCommand|YZ (Side)}}

<!--T:115-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show working plane tracker}}
| {{MenuCommand|Tessellation}}
| The tessellation value to use with the ''Builtin'' and the ''Mefisto'' meshing program.
| If checked, a widget indicating the current working plane orientation appears when picking points.

<!--T:31-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Include groups in layer list}}
| {{MenuCommand|Grading}}
| The grading value to use for meshing using ''Netgen''. This value describes how fast the mesh size decreases. The gradient of the local mesh size {{incode|h(x)}} is bound by {{incode|abs(Δh(x)) ≤ 1/value}}.
| If checked, the layers drop-down list also includes groups. Objects can then automatically be added to groups as well. See [[Draft_AutoGroup|Draft AutoGroup]].

<!--T:155-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show prompts in the Report view}}
| {{MenuCommand|Segments per edge}}
| The maximum number of segments per edge.
| If checked, instructions are displayed in the [[Report_view|Report view]] when using Draft commands. {{Version|1.0}}

<!--T:32-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Set focus on Length instead of X coordinate}}
| {{MenuCommand|Segments per radius}}
| The number of segments per radius.
| If checked, Length input, instead of the X coordinate, will have the initial focus. This allows to indicate a direction and then type a distance.

<!--T:33-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Select base objects after copying}}
| {{MenuCommand|Second order}}
| Allow a second order mesh.
| If checked, base objects, instead of created copies, are selected after copying.

<!--T:38-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Create Part primitives if possible}}
| {{MenuCommand|Optimize}}
| Allow optimization.
| If checked, Draft commands will create [[Part_Primitives|Part primitives]] instead of Draft objects. Note that this is not fully supported, and many objects will not be editable with Draft modification commands.

<!--T:121-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Keep face colors during downgrade/upgrade}}
| {{MenuCommand|Allow quads}}
| Allow [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_mesh#Two-dimensional quadrilateral faces].
| If checked, [[Draft_Downgrade|Draft Downgrade]] and [[Draft_Upgrade|Draft Upgrade]] will keep face colors. Only for the splitFaces and makeShell options.
|}


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[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_DAE.png|400px]]
|-
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| {{MenuCommand|Keep face names during downgrade/upgrade}}
| If checked, [[Draft_Downgrade|Draft Downgrade]] and [[Draft_Upgrade|Draft Upgrade]] will keep face names. Only for the splitFaces and makeShell options.


<!--T:169-->
===DWG=== <!--T:150-->
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Mouse delay}}
| This is the delay in seconds during which the mouse is inactive after entering a number in one of the Draft task panel input fields. During the delay moving the mouse won't change the entered value. Set to 0 to disable the delay.


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DWG (from drawing) is a proprietary, closed source, binary file format for storing 2D and 3D design data and metadata. FreeCAD requires external converters to process DWG files.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Max. number of editable objects}}
| The maximum number of objects [[Draft_Edit|Draft Edit]] is allowed to process at the same time.


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'''Note:''' All settings for the DXF file format also apply to DWG.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Edit node pick radius}}
| The pick radius of edit nodes.


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For the DWG format you can specify the following:
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Label prefix for clones}}
| The default prefix added to the label of new [[Draft_Clone|clones]].


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{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Construction group label}}
| {{MenuCommand|Conversion method}}
| Select the DWG converter to use:
| The default label for the [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|construction geometry group]].
* '''Automatic''': FreeCAD will try to find a converter automatically following the order of the rest of this list. {{Version|0.21}}: For LibreDWG the OS search path is searched ({{Incode|os.getenv("PATH")}}), for the other converters default installation paths are assumed.
* '''LibreDWG''': [https://www.gnu.org/software/libredwg/ LibreDWG] is an open-source DWG reading and writing library. It lacks support for several DWG entities, and may not always give faithful results.
* '''ODA Converter''': The [https://www.opendesign.com/guestfiles/oda_file_converter ODA File Converter] is a free utility provided by the Open Design Alliance. It gives very good and reliable results.
* '''QCAD pro''': [https://qcad.org/en/qcad-command-line-tools#dwg2dwg QCAD pro] is the paid version of the open-source QCAD DXF-based 2D CAD platform. Its DWG converter uses the Teigha libraries from the OpenDesign Alliance and therefore gives the same good results as the ODA File Converter.


<!--T:41-->
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{{Version|0.20}}
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Construction geometry color}}
| {{MenuCommand|Path to file converter}}
| If FreeCAD is unable to find a converter you need to specify a path here:
| The default color for Draft objects in construction mode.
* LibreDWG: {{FileName|dwg2dxf}} or {{FileName|dxf2dwg}} on Linux and macOS, {{FileName|dwg2dxf.exe}} or {{FileName|dxf2dwg.exe}} on Windows. Either filename can be specified for both the conversion from DWG and to DWG.
|}
* ODA Converter: {{FileName|ODAFileConverter}} on Linux and macOS, {{FileName|ODAFileConverter.exe}} on Windows.
* QCAD pro: {{FileName|dwg2dwg}} (a bash script) on Linux and macOS, {{FileName|dwg2dwg.bat}} on Windows.


== Interface == <!--T:44-->
<!--T:265-->
{{Version|0.20}}

<!--T:269-->
{{Version|0.21}}: The path must contain the correct filename.
|}


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[[Image:Preferences_Draft_Page_Interface.png|400px]]
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_DWG.png|400px]]
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===DXF=== <!--T:154-->

<!--T:155-->
AutoCAD [[DXF|DXF]] (Drawing eXchange Format) is a proprietary format to exchange CAD data between AutoCAD and other programs.


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On the this page you can specify the following:
For the DXF format you can specify the following:


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{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed"
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
!style="width: 66%;"|Description

<!--T:47-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|In-command shortcuts}}
| {{MenuCommand|Show this dialog when importing and exporting}}
| If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when importing or exporting DXF files.
| These shortcuts only work when a [[Draft_Workbench|Draft]] or [[Arch Workbench|Arch]] command is active. Note that not all commands support all shortcuts.

<!--T:49-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Relative}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use legacy python importer}}
| If checked, the Python importer is used, otherwise the newer C++ one. The C++ importer is faster, but has not as many features yet.
| Shortcut to toggle relative mode. If relative mode is on, coordinates are relative to the last point, if available, else they are relative to the coordinate system origin.


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The Python importer uses the {{MenuCommand|Edit → Preferences... → Draft → General settings → Internal precision level}} preference. For an accurate import result set this value to 8 or higher.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Global}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use legacy python exporter}}
| If checked, the Python exporter is used, otherwise the newer C++ one. The C++ exporter is faster, but has not as many features yet.
| Shortcut to toggle global mode. If global mode is on, coordinates are relative to the global coordinate system, else they are relative to the [[Draft SelectPlane|working plane]] coordinate system. {{Version|0.20}}

<!--T:58-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Length}}
| {{MenuCommand|Allow FreeCAD to automatically download and update the DXF libraries}}
| By checking this, you will allow FreeCAD to download the [[FreeCAD_and_DXF_Import|Python converter]] for DXF import and export. This converter cannot be bundled with FreeCAD because it has a different software license.
| Shortcut to change the focus from the X coordinate input box to the Length input box and vice versa.

<!--T:54-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Fill}}
| {{MenuCommand|Import}}
| Select what will be imported.
| Shortcut to toggle filled mode. If filled mode is on, the created object will have {{PropertyData|Make Face}} set to {{TRUE}}.


<!--T:56-->
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If '''texts and dimensions''' is unchecked, texts and [https://www.autodesk.com/techpubs/autocad/acad2000/dxf/mtext_dxf_06.htm mtexts] won't be imported.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Select edge}}
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Select edge}} button. See [[Draft_Dimension|Draft Dimension]].


<!--T:53-->
<!--T:194-->
If '''points''' is unchecked, points won't be imported.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Subelement mode}}
| Shortcut to toggle subelement mode. If subelement mode is on, the command will use the selected subelements instead of the whole objects.


<!--T:52-->
<!--T:195-->
If '''layouts''' is checked, paper space objects will be imported too.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Copy}}
| Shortcut to toggle copy mode. If copy mode is on, the command will create modified copies instead of modifying the original objects.


<!--T:149-->
<!--T:240-->
Check '''*blocks''' if you want anonymous blocks (which have names beginning with a *) to be imported too.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Undo}}
| {{MenuCommand|Create}}
| Select what will be created.
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Undo}} button.


<!--T:59-->
<!--T:245-->
If '''simple Part shapes''' is selected, only standard Part objects will be created. This is the fastest.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Wipe}}
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Wipe}} button.


<!--T:51-->
<!--T:196-->
If '''Draft objects''' is selected, parametric Draft objects will be created whenever possible.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Close}}
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Close}} button.


<!--T:55-->
<!--T:197-->
If '''Sketches''' is selected, sketches will be created whenever possible.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Exit}}
| {{MenuCommand|Scale factor to apply to imported files}}
| Scale factor to apply to DXF files on import. The factor is the conversion between the units of your DXF file and millimeters. Example: for files in millimeters: 1, in centimeters: 10, in meters: 1000, in inches: 25.4, in feet: 304.8.
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Finish}} button.

<!--T:50-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Continue}}
| {{MenuCommand|Get original colors from the DXF file}}
| If checked, colors will be retrieved from the DXF objects whenever possible. Otherwise default colors will be applied.
| Shortcut to toggle continue mode. If continue mode is on, commands will restart after finishing.

<!--T:61-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Cycle snap}}
| {{MenuCommand|Join geometry}}
| If checked, FreeCAD will try to join coincident objects into wires. Note that this can take a while!
| Shortcut to change snap priority to an object that is obscured by other geometry. See [[Draft_Snap|Draft Snap]].

<!--T:57-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Add hold}}
| {{MenuCommand|Group layers into blocks}}
| If checked, objects from the same layers will be joined into Draft Blocks, which display faster, but are less easily editable. <!-- Draft Blocks are internal elements in Draft, basically a Part.Compound; they aren't exposed in the graphical interface; see Draft.makeBlock in the source code.-->
| Shortcut to insert a "hold point" at the current location of the cursor. See [[Draft_Snap|Draft Snap]].

<!--T:60-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Set working plane}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use standard font size for texts}}
| If checked, imported texts will get the standard [[Draft_Text|Draft Text]] size, instead of the size they have in the DXF document.
| Shortcut to press the {{Button|Set WP}} button.

<!--T:63-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Snap}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use Layers}}
| If checked, DXF layers will be imported as [[Draft_Layer|Draft Layers]].
| Shortcut to toggle [[Draft_Snap|Draft snapping]].

<!--T:64-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Increase radius}}
| {{MenuCommand|Import hatch boundaries as wires}}
| If checked, hatches will be converted to simple wires.
| Shortcut to increase the maximum distance at which [[Draft_Snap_Grid|Draft Snap Grid]] detects the intersections of grid lines. See [[Draft_SelectPlane|Draft SelectPlane]].

<!--T:65-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Decrease radius}}
| {{MenuCommand|Render polylines with width}}
| If checked, if polylines have a width defined, they will be rendered as closed wires with the correct width.
| Shortcut to decrease the maximum distance at which [[Draft_Snap_Grid|Draft Snap Grid]] detects the intersections of grid lines.

<!--T:66-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Restrict X}}
| {{MenuCommand|Treat ellipses and splines as polylines}}
| The export of ellipses and splines is poorly supported. Use this option to export them as polylines instead.
| Shortcut to constrain the movement of the cursor to the X axis. See [[Draft_Constrain|Draft Constrain]].


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The setting '''Max Spline Segment''' is then the maximum length of each of the polyline segments. If it is set to '''0''' the whole spline is treated as a straight segment.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Restrict Y}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export 3D objects as polyface meshes}}
| If checked, all objects containing faces will be exported as 3D polyfaces.
| Shortcut to constrain the movement of the cursor to the Y axis.

<!--T:68-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Restrict Z}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export Drawing Views as blocks}}
| If this is checked, Drawing Views will be exported as blocks. This might fail for post DXF R12 templates.
| Shortcut to constrain the movement of the cursor to the Z axis.

<!--T:157-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Only show the Draft snap toolbar during commands}}
| {{MenuCommand|Project exported objects along current view direction}}
| If checked, the exported objects will be projected to reflect the current view direction. This option only works if the legacy Python exporter is used.
| If checked, the Draft snap toolbar will only be visible during commands. {{Version|1.0}}
|}


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[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_DXF.png|400px]]
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===IFC=== <!--T:162-->

<!--T:163-->
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Foundation_Classes Industry Foundation Classes] (IFC) is a wide spread format to exchange data between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Information_Modeling BIM] applications. It is used in architecture and engineering.

<!--T:242-->
Note for Linux users: To handle this file format FreeCAD requires the [[Extra_python_modules|IfcOpenShell module]].

====IFC import==== <!--T:246-->

<!--T:164-->
For import of the IFC format you can specify the following:

<!--T:165-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show this dialog when importing}}
| If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when importing IFC files.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show debug messages}}
| Shows verbose debug messages during import and export of IFC files in the [[Report view|Report view]].
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Create clones when objects have shared geometry}}
| IFC objects can share a same geometry definition between several objects, only their placement is different. When this option is enabled, clones are used to achieve the same result in FreeCAD. One object is the base object, the others are clones.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Number of cores to use (experimental)}}
| Specify the number of CPU cores to use for IFC import. The maximum number should be smaller than the number of actually available cores. Use '''0''' to disable this feature.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Import arch IFC objects as}}
| What will be created in FreeCAD for arch IFC objects.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Import struct IFC objects as}}
| What will be created in FreeCAD for struct IFC objects.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Root element}}
| Only subtypes of the specified element will be imported. Keep the predefined element [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifckernel/lexical/ifcproduct.htm IfcProduct] to import all building elements.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Separate openings}}
| If checked, openings will be imported as subtractions, otherwise wall shapes will already have their openings subtracted.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Detect extrusions}}
| If checked, the importer will try to detect extrusions. Note that this might slow things down.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Split multilayer walls}}
| Split walls made of multiple layers.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Prefix names with ID number}}
| If checked, object names will be prefixed with the [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcutilityresource/lexical/ifcgloballyuniqueid.htm IFC ID] number.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Merge materials with same name and same color}}
| If several materials with the same name are found in the IFC file, they will be treated as one.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Import Ifc Properties in spreadsheet}}
| If checked, each object will have their [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcpropertyresource/lexical/ifcproperty.htm IFC properties] stored in a spreadsheet object.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Allow invalid shapes}}
| If unchecked invalid shapes are not imported.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Exclude list}}
| A comma-separated list of [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/toc-5.htm IFC entities] to be excluded from imports.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Fit view while importing}}
| Fit view during import on the imported objects. This will slow down the import, but one can watch the import.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show the Snap widget in the Draft Workbench}}
| {{MenuCommand|Import full FreeCAD parametric definitions if available}}
| Creates a full parametric model on import using stored FreeCAD object properties.
| If checked, the [[Draft_snap_widget|Snap widget]] is displayed in the Draft statusbar.


<!--T:72-->
<!--T:202-->
To get the FreeCAD properties, the model must have been exported using the option {{MenuCommand|Export full FreeCAD parametric model}}.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show the Annotation scale widget in the Draft Workbench}}
| {{MenuCommand|Replace 'Project', 'Site', 'Building' and 'Storey' with 'Group'}}
| If checked, the [[Draft_annotation_scale_widget|Annotation scale widget]] is displayed in the Draft statusbar.
| If checked, groups will be used to replace the mentioned objects.
|}
|}

== Grid and snapping == <!--T:8-->


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[[Image:Preferences_Draft_Page_Grid_and_snapping.png|400px]]
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_IFC_import.png|400px]]
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<!--T:146-->
====IFC export==== <!--T:247-->
Note that several grid preferences can also be changed with the [[Draft_SelectPlane|Draft SelectPlane]] command.


<!--T:158-->
<!--T:248-->
On the this page you can specify the following:
For export of the IFC format you can specify the following:


<!--T:77-->
<!--T:249-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed"
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
!style="width: 66%;"|Description

<!--T:89-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Always show the grid}}
| {{MenuCommand|Show this dialog when exporting}}
| If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when exporting IFC files.
| If checked, the grid will always be visible in new views. Use [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Draft ToggleGrid]] to change this for the active view.

<!--T:87-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show the grid during commands}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export type}}
| Select how the model should be exported: as '''Standard model''', '''Structural Analysis''', or '''Standard + structural'''.
| If checked, the grid will be visible during commands in new views. Use [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Draft ToggleGrid]] to change this for the active view. {{Version|1.0}}

<!--T:90-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show grid border}}
| {{MenuCommand|Force export as Brep}}
| Some IFC viewers don't like objects exported as extrusions. Use this to force all objects to be exported as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boundary_representation BREP] geometry. But avoid exporting as Brep if possible as this makes objects non-parametric.
| If checked, an additional border is displayed around the grid, showing the main square size in the bottom left corner.

<!--T:147-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show human figure}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use DAE triangulation options}}
| Use triangulation options set in the DAE options page.
| If checked, the outline of a human figure is displayed at the bottom left corner of the grid. Only effective if the [[BIM_Workbench|BIM Workbench]] is installed and {{MenuCommand|Show grid border}} is enabled. {{Version|0.20}}

<!--T:92-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Use colored axes}}
| {{MenuCommand|Join coplanar facets when triangulating}}
| Curved shapes that cannot be represented as curves in IFC are decomposed into flat facets. If this is checked, some additional calculation is done to join coplanar facets.
| If checked, the two main axes of the grid are colored red, green or blue if they match the X, Y or Z axis of the global coordinate system.

<!--T:94-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Major lines every}}
| {{MenuCommand|Store IFC unique ID in FreeCAD objects}}
| When exporting objects without a [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcutilityresource/lexical/ifcgloballyuniqueid.htm unique ID] (UID), the generated UID will be stored inside the FreeCAD object for reuse the next time the object is exported. This leads to smaller differences between file versions.
| The number of squares between major grid lines. Major grid lines are thicker than minor grid lines.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Use IfcOpenShell serializer if available}}
| [[Extra_python_modules#IfcOpenShell|IFCOpenShell]] is a library for IFC files. Its ''serializer'' functionality can produce valid IFC geometry from [[Glossary#OCC|OCC]] shapes.


<!--T:96-->
<!--T:250-->
Note that this is still an experimental feature.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Grid spacing}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export 2D objects as IfcAnnotations}}
| If checked, 2D objects will be exported as [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcproductextension/lexical/ifcannotation.htm IfcAnnotation].
| The distance between grid lines.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Export full FreeCAD parametric model}}
| If checked, all FreeCAD object properties will be stored inside the exported objects, allowing to recreate a full parametric model on reimport using the option {{MenuCommand|Import full FreeCAD parametric definitions if available}}.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Reuse similar entities}}
| If checked, similar entities will be used only once in the file if possible. This can reduce the file size a lot, but will make it less easily readable.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Disable IfcRectangleProfileDef}}
| Whenever possible, IFC objects that are extruded rectangles will be exported as [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcprofileresource/lexical/ifcrectangleprofiledef.htm IfcRectangleProfileDef]. For applications that have problems importing these entities, select this option to ensure that all profiles are exported as [http://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcprofileresource/lexical/ifcarbitraryclosedprofiledef.htm IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef] instead.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Auto-detect and export as standard cases when applicable}}
| Some IFC types such as [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcsharedbldgelements/lexical/ifcwall.htm IfcWall] or [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcsharedbldgelements/lexical/ifcbeam.htm IfcBeam] have special standard versions like [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcsharedbldgelements/lexical/ifcwallstandardcase.htm IfcWallStandardCase] or [https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/ADD1/HTML/schema/ifcsharedbldgelements/lexical/ifcbeamstandardcase.htm IfcBeamStandardCase]. If this option is selected, FreeCAD will automatically export such objects as standard cases when the necessary conditions are met.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Add default site if one is not found in the document}}
| When exporting an IFC file, if no site is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added. A site is not mandatory according to the IFC standard, but it is common practice to have at least one in the file.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Add default building if one is not found in the document (no standard)}}
| When exporting an IFC file, if no building is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added.

<!--T:203-->
'''Warning''': The IFC standard asks for at least one building in each file. By turning this option off, you will produce a non-standard IFC file.


<!--T:98-->
<!--T:204-->
However, at FreeCAD we believe having a building should not be mandatory, and this option is there to have a chance to demonstrate our point of view.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Grid size}}
| {{MenuCommand|Add default building storey if one is not found in the document}}
| When exporting an IFC file, if no building storey is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added. A building storey is not mandatory according to the IFC standard, but it is common practice to have at least one in the file.
| The number of squares in the X and Y direction of the grid.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|IFC file units}}
| Select which units will be used when exporting IFC files.
|}

</translate>
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_IFC_export.png|400px]]
<translate>

===IGES=== <!--T:158-->


<!--T:159-->
<!--T:159-->
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGES Initial Graphics Exchange Specification] (IGES) file format is a file format that allows the digital exchange of information among CAD systems. After publication of the [[Preferences_Editor#STEP|STEP]] file format, IGES development was stopped in 1996, but it is still supported by many CAD programs. IGES files have the {{FileName|.iges}} or {{FileName|.igs}} extension.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Grid transparency}}
| The overall transparency of the grid.


<!--T:160-->
<!--T:160-->
The tab ''IGES'' is only shown in the preferences if the [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|24px]] [[Part_Workbench|Part Workbench]], [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|24px]] [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]], or [[Image:Workbench_OpenSCAD.svg|24px]] [[OpenSCAD_Workbench|OpenSCAD Workbench]] has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Grid color}}
| The color of the grid.


<!--T:110-->
<!--T:199-->
For the IGES format you can specify the following:
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Snap symbol style}}
| The style for [[Draft Snap|snap symbols]]. The options are:
* {{MenuCommand|Draft classic style}}
* {{MenuCommand|Bitsnpieces style}}.


<!--T:112-->
<!--T:161-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Snap symbol color}}
| {{MenuCommand|Units for export of IGES}}
| Select what unit will be used when exporting IGES files.
| The color for [[Draft Snap|snap symbols]], [[Draft_Snap_Dimensions|snap dimensions]] and [[Draft_Edit|edit nodes]].

<!--T:78-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Always snap}}
| {{MenuCommand|Write solids and shells as}}
| Select how solids and shells should be output.
| If checked, [[Draft_Snap|snapping]] is activated without the need to press the {{MenuCommand|Snap modifier}} key.


<!--T:81-->
<!--T:200-->
If '''Groups of Trimmed Surfaces (type 144)''' is selected, they will be exported as [https://wiki.eclipse.org/IGES_file_Specification#Trimmed_Surface_.28Type_144.29 trimmed surfaces].
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Snap modifier}}
| The [[Draft_Snap|Snap]] modifier key.


<!--T:79-->
<!--T:201-->
If '''Solids (type 186) and Shells (type 514) / B-REP mode''' is selected, solids will be exported as [https://wiki.eclipse.org/IGES_file_Specification#Manifold_Solid_B-Rep_Object_.28Type_186.29 manifold solid B-Rep objects], shells as [https://wiki.eclipse.org/IGES_file_Specification#Shell_.28Type_514.29 shells].
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Constrain modifier}}
| {{MenuCommand|Skip blank entities}}
| If checked, blank [https://wiki.eclipse.org/IGES_file_Specification#Entities entities] will not be imported.
| The [[Draft_Constrain|Constrain]] modifier key.
|-

| {{MenuCommand|Company}}
<!--T:83-->
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the company.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Author}}
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the author.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Alt modifier}}
| {{MenuCommand|Product}}
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the product.
| The Alt modifier key. The function of this key depends on the command.
|}
|}

== Visual == <!--T:9-->


</translate>
</translate>
[[Image:Preferences_Draft_Page_Visual.png|400px]]
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_IGES.png|400px]]
<translate>
<translate>


<!--T:161-->
===INP=== <!--T:166-->
On the this page you can specify the following:


<!--T:109-->
<!--T:167-->
INP is the input file format for the FEM software [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaqus Abaqus]. It is used for the [[FEM_CalculiX|CalculiX]] solver in the [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|24px]] [[FEM_Workbench|FEM Workbench]].
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed"

<!--T:168-->
The tab ''INP'' is only shown in the preferences if the [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|24px]] [[FEM_Workbench|FEM Workbench]] has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

<!--T:205-->
For the INP format you can specify the following:

<!--T:169-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
!style="width: 66%;"|Description

<!--T:120-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|SVG pattern size}}
| {{MenuCommand|Which mesh elements to export}}
| Select which mesh elements should be exported.
| The default size for SVG patterns. A higher value results in a denser pattern.


<!--T:206-->
If '''All''' is selected, all elements will be exported.


<!--T:117-->
<!--T:207-->
If '''Highest''' is selected, only the highest elements will be exported. This means volumes for a volume mesh and faces for a shell mesh.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Additional SVG pattern location}}
| An optional directory with custom SVG files containing pattern definitions to be added to the standard patterns.


<!--T:123-->
<!--T:208-->
If '''FEM''' is selected, only FEM elements will be exported. This means only edges not belonging to faces and faces not belonging to volumes.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Dashed line definition}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export group data}}
| If checked, mesh groups are exported too. Every constraint and, if there are different materials, material consists of two mesh groups, faces and nodes where the constraint or material is applied.
| An SVG linestyle definition used by the [[TechDraw_DraftView|TechDraw DraftView]] command.
|}


</translate>
<!--T:124-->
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_INP.png|400px]]
|-
<translate>
| {{MenuCommand|Dashdot line definition}}
| Idem.


<!--T:125-->
===Mesh Formats=== <!--T:170-->

<!--T:171-->
Meshes are a special type of 3D object, composed of triangular faces connected by their [[Glossary#Vertex|vertices]] and edges. They are widely used for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing additive manufacturing]. FreeCAD provides the [[Image:Workbench_Mesh.svg|24px]] [[Mesh_Workbench|Mesh Workbench]] to create and handle meshes.
FreeCAD supports several mesh file formats.

<!--T:172-->
The tab ''Mesh Formats'' is only shown in the preferences if the [[Image:Workbench_Mesh.svg|24px]] [[Mesh_Workbench|Mesh Workbench]] has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

<!--T:209-->
For the Mesh formats you can specify the following:

<!--T:173-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Dotted line definition}}
| {{MenuCommand|Maximum mesh deviation}}
| Specification of the maximal deviation between the mesh and the object.
| Idem.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Export AMF files using compression}}
| If checked, ZIP compression is used when writing a mesh file in AMF format.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Width}}
| Width of Asymptote page.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Height}}
| Height of Asymptote page.
|}
|}

== Texts and dimensions == <!--T:10-->


</translate>
</translate>
[[Image:Preferences_Draft_Page_Texts_and_dimensions.png|400px]]
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_Mesh_Formats.png|400px]]
<translate>
<translate>


<!--T:128-->
===OCA=== <!--T:174-->
These preferences are the defaults used when creating new objects. Changing them does not affect existing objects.


<!--T:162-->
<!--T:175-->
The [http://groups.google.com/group/open_cad_format OCA] file format is a community project to create a free, simple and open CAD file format.
On the this page you can specify the following:
OCA is largely based on the GCAD file format generated by [http://www.gcad3d.org/ gCAD3D]. Both formats can be imported in FreeCAD and the OCA files exported by FreeCAD can be opened in gCAD3D.


<!--T:130-->
<!--T:176-->
For the OCA format you can specify the following:
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed"

<!--T:177-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
!style="width: 66%;"|Description

<!--T:131-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Font name or family}}
| {{MenuCommand|Import OCA areas}}
| If checked, the areas (3D faces) will be imported too.
| The default font for texts, dimensions and labels. It can be a font name such as {{Value|Arial}}, a style such as {{Value|sans}}, {{Value|serif}} or {{Value|mono}}, or a family such as {{Value|Arial,Helvetica,sans}}, or a name with a style such as {{Value|Arial:Bold}}.
|}


</translate>
<!--T:132-->
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_OCA.png|400px]]
|-
<translate>
| {{MenuCommand|Font size}}
| The default height for texts, dimension texts and label texts.


<!--T:163-->
===STEP=== <!--T:178-->
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Line spacing factor}}
| The default line spacing for multi-line texts and labels (relative to the font size).


<!--T:164-->
<!--T:179-->
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10303 Standard for The Exchange of Product model data] (STEP) file format is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. STEP is commonly used to exchange 3D data between CAD software. STEP files have the {{FileName|.step}} or {{FileName|.stp}} extension. For compressed files the {{FileName|.stpz}} extension is used.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Scale multiplier}}
| The default annotation scale multiplier. This is the inverse of the scale set in the [[Draft_annotation_scale_widget|Draft annotation scale widget]]. If the scale is {{Value|1:100}} the multiplier is {{Value|100}}. {{Version|1.0}}


<!--T:165-->
<!--T:180-->
The tab ''STEP'' is only shown in the preferences if the [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|24px]] [[Part_Workbench|Part Workbench]], [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|24px]] [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]], or [[Image:Workbench_OpenSCAD.svg|24px]] [[OpenSCAD_Workbench|OpenSCAD Workbench]] has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Text color}}
| The default color for texts, dimension texts and label texts.


<!--T:166-->
<!--T:227-->
For the STEP format you can specify the following:
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show dimension line}}
| If checked, the dimension line is displayed by default.


<!--T:167-->
<!--T:181-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Line width}}
| {{MenuCommand|Units for export of STEP}}
| Select which units will be used when exporting STEP files.
| The default line width.

<!--T:138-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Arrows type}}
| {{MenuCommand|Write out curves in parametric space of surface}}
| If checked, parametric curves (curves in parametric space of surfaces) will be written into the STEP file. Unchecking the option can be helpful to minimize the size of the resulting STEP file.
| The default symbol displayed at the ends of dimension lines. The options are:
* {{MenuCommand|Dot}}
* {{MenuCommand|Circle}}
* {{MenuCommand|Arrow}}
* {{MenuCommand|Tick}}
* {{MenuCommand|Tick-2}}

<!--T:139-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Arrows size}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export invisible objects}}
| Uncheck this to skip invisible object when exporting, which is useful for CAD applications that do not support invisibility STEP styling.
| The default arrow size.

<!--T:168-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Line and arrow color}}
| {{MenuCommand|Export single object placement}}
| Check this option to keep the placement information when exporting a single object. Please note that when re-importing the STEP file, the placement will be encoded into the shape geometry, instead of keeping it inside the Placement property.
| The default color for lines and arrows.

<!--T:142-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show unit}}
| {{MenuCommand|Use legacy exporter}}
| Use the legacy exporter.
| If checked, a unit symbol is added to dimension texts by default.

<!--T:143-->
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Unit override}}
| {{MenuCommand|Scheme}}
| Select the STEP application protocol (AP) to be used for the export.
| The default unit override for dimensions. Enter a unit such as {{Value|m}} or {{Value|cm}}, leave blank to use the current unit defined in FreeCAD.


<!--T:134-->
<!--T:210-->
'''AP 203''' is the protocol for configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Number of decimals}}
| The default number of decimal places for dimension texts.


<!--T:150-->
<!--T:211-->
'''AP 214''' is the protocol for core data for automotive mechanical design processes.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Enable STEP Compound merge}}
| If checked, a [[Glossary#Compound|compound]] merge will be done during file reading. This is slower but results in higher details.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Use LinkGroup}}
| Select this to use App::LinkGroup group containers instead of App::Part group containers.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Import invisible objects}}
| Select this to import invisible objects.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Reduce number of objects}}
| Reduce the number of objects using Link arrays.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Expand compound shape}}
| Expand compound shapes with multiple solids.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Show progress bar when importing}}
| Show a progress bar when importing.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Ignore instance names}}
| Do not use instance names. Useful for some legacy STEP files with non-meaningful auto-generated instance names.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Feet separator}}
| {{MenuCommand|Mode}}
| Select the required document structure.
| The optional string inserted between the feet and inches values in dimensions. {{Version|1.0}}


<!--T:137-->
<!--T:232-->
'''Single document'''

<!--T:233-->
'''Assembly per document'''

<!--T:234-->
'''Assembly per document in sub-directory'''

<!--T:235-->
'''Object per document'''

<!--T:236-->
'''Object per document in sub-directory'''
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Dimension line overshoot}}
| {{MenuCommand|Company}}
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the company.
| The default distance the dimension line is extended past the extension lines.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Author}}
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the author.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Product}}
| If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the product.
|}


</translate>
<!--T:135-->
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_STEP.png|400px]]
<translate>

===SVG=== <!--T:182-->

<!--T:183-->
[[SVG|Scalable Vector Graphics]] (SVG) is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics vector image] format for two-dimensional graphics. A vector image can be scaled to any size without losing its shape or details. An SVG image can be converted to bitmap formats like PNG or JPEG for printing.

<!--T:184-->
For the SVG format you can specify the following:

<!--T:185-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Extension line length}}
| {{MenuCommand|Import style}}
| Select how SVG object colors and line widths will be imported.
| The default length of extension lines. Use {{Value|0}} for full extension lines. A negative value defines the gap between the ends of the extension lines and the measured points. A positive value defines the maximum length of the extension lines. Only used for [[Draft_Dimension#View|linear dimensions]].


<!--T:136-->
<!--T:212-->
If '''None (fastest)''' is selected no color or line width settings will be imported.

<!--T:213-->
If '''Use default color and linewidth''' is selected FreeCAD will use its default color and line width.

<!--T:214-->
If '''Original color and linewidth''' is selected FreeCAD will use the color and linewidth from the SVG objects.
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Extension line overshoot}}
| {{MenuCommand|Disable units scaling}}
| If checked, no unit conversion will occur. One unit in the SVG file will translate as one millimeter.
| The default length of extension lines above the dimension line.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Export style}}
| Select how Sketches are exported to SVG.

<!--T:215-->
If '''Translated (for print & display)''' is selected, SVG objects are encapsulated in a group that is scaled and moved to the correct place in the SVG document to fit into a printable area.


<!--T:141-->
<!--T:216-->
If '''Raw (for CAM)''' is selected, SVG objects are placed as they are - at the same coordinates as in the FreeCAD model (1:1 export).
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Text spacing}}
| {{MenuCommand|Translate white line color to black}}
| If checked, all white lines will appear in black in the SVG for better readability against white backgrounds.
| The default space between the dimension line and the dimension text.
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Max segment length for discretized arcs}}
| Versions of [[Glossary#Open_CASCADE|Open CASCADE]] older than version 6.8 don't support arc projection. In this case arcs will be discretized into small line segments. This value is the maximum segment length.
|}


</translate>
<!--T:144-->
[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_SVG.png|400px]]
<translate>

===VTK=== <!--T:186-->

<!--T:187-->
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTK Visualization Toolkit] (VTK) is an open-source, freely available software system for 3D computer graphics, image processing and visualization. VTK files are used by the [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|24px]] [[FEM_Workbench|FEM Workbench]] for the [[FEM_Post_Processing_based_on_VTK|post processing]] of simulation results.

<!--T:188-->
The tab ''VTK'' is only shown in the preferences if the [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|24px]] [[FEM_Workbench|FEM Workbench]] has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

<!--T:217-->
For the VTK format you can specify the following:

<!--T:189-->
{| class="wikitable float-right mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!style="width: 33%;"|Name
!style="width: 66%;"|Description
|-
|-
| {{MenuCommand|Default ShapeString font file}}
| {{MenuCommand|Which object to import into}}
| Select what objects should be imported.
| The default font file for the [[Draft_ShapeString|Draft ShapeString]] command. For Windows users: please read the [[Draft_ShapeString#Font_file_selection_on_Windows|Font file selection on Windows]] paragraph on that page.

<!--T:218-->
If '''VTK result object''' is selected, a FreeCAD FEM VTK result object will be imported (equals to the object which was exported).

<!--T:219-->
If '''FEM mesh object''' is selected, the results in the VTK file will be omitted, only the mesh data will be imported and a FreeCAD FEM mesh object will be created.

<!--T:220-->
If '''FreeCAD result object''' is selected, the imported data will be converted into a FreeCAD FEM Result object. '''Note:''' this setting needs the exact result component names and thus it only works properly with VTK files exported from FreeCAD.
|}
|}

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[[Image:Preferences_Import-Export_Page_VTK.png|400px]]
<translate>




<!--T:23-->
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{{Docnav
{{Docnav
|[[Preferences_Editor|Preferences Editor]]
|[[Draft_Pattern|Pattern]]
|[[Start_up_and_Configuration|Start up and Configuration]]
|[[Draft_DXF|Autodesk .DXF .DWG]]
|[[Draft_Module|Draft]]
|IconL=
|IconR=
|IconC=Workbench_Draft.svg
}}
}}


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{{Draft Tools navi{{#translation:}}}}
{{Userdocnavi{{#translation:}}}}
{{Userdocnavi{{#translation:}}}}
[[Category:Common Questions{{#translation:}}]]
[[Category:Preferences{{#translation:}}]]
[[Category:Preferences{{#translation:}}]]
[[Category:File_Formats{{#translation:}}]]

Revision as of 11:24, 29 June 2024

Introduction

FreeCAD can import and export many file formats. For some formats dedicated preferences exist. These can be found in the Preferences editor. In the menu select Edit → Preferences... and then Import-Export.

Not all import and export preferences tabs are available by default. For some a workbench has to be loaded first.

Notes

TechDraw pages

The DXF and SVG preferences listed here are not used by the Export Page as SVG and Export Page as DXF commands of the TechDraw Workbench, or by the TechDraw export option: File → Export → Technical Drawing (*.svg *.dxf *.pdf).

OpenSCAD files

The import and export preferences for OpenSCAD files are listed in a different part of the Preferences editor. See the OpenSCAD Preferences.

Related

See the following pages for additional information:

Available preferences

DAE

The Collada DAE (Digital Asset Exchange) format is a standard file format for exchange of Mesh data. FreeCAD can import meshes from .dae files, and export Shape-based objects to the .dae format.

Note for Linux users: To handle this file format FreeCAD requires the pyCollada module.

For the DAE format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Scaling factor All dimensions in the file will be scaled with the specified factor.
Mesher Sets the meshing program that should be used. If using Netgen, make sure that it is available. This can be checked by using the Mesh Workbench and creating a mesh using Netgen. If it is not available another version of FreeCAD, compiled with Netgen, must be installed.
Tessellation The tessellation value to use with the Builtin and the Mefisto meshing program.
Grading The grading value to use for meshing using Netgen. This value describes how fast the mesh size decreases. The gradient of the local mesh size h(x) is bound by abs(Δh(x)) ≤ 1/value.
Segments per edge The maximum number of segments per edge.
Segments per radius The number of segments per radius.
Second order Allow a second order mesh.
Optimize Allow optimization.
Allow quads Allow quadrilateral faces.

DWG

DWG (from drawing) is a proprietary, closed source, binary file format for storing 2D and 3D design data and metadata. FreeCAD requires external converters to process DWG files.

Note: All settings for the DXF file format also apply to DWG.

For the DWG format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Conversion method Select the DWG converter to use:
  • Automatic: FreeCAD will try to find a converter automatically following the order of the rest of this list. introduced in version 0.21: For LibreDWG the OS search path is searched (os.getenv("PATH")), for the other converters default installation paths are assumed.
  • LibreDWG: LibreDWG is an open-source DWG reading and writing library. It lacks support for several DWG entities, and may not always give faithful results.
  • ODA Converter: The ODA File Converter is a free utility provided by the Open Design Alliance. It gives very good and reliable results.
  • QCAD pro: QCAD pro is the paid version of the open-source QCAD DXF-based 2D CAD platform. Its DWG converter uses the Teigha libraries from the OpenDesign Alliance and therefore gives the same good results as the ODA File Converter.

introduced in version 0.20

Path to file converter If FreeCAD is unable to find a converter you need to specify a path here:
  • LibreDWG: dwg2dxf or dxf2dwg on Linux and macOS, dwg2dxf.exe or dxf2dwg.exe on Windows. Either filename can be specified for both the conversion from DWG and to DWG.
  • ODA Converter: ODAFileConverter on Linux and macOS, ODAFileConverter.exe on Windows.
  • QCAD pro: dwg2dwg (a bash script) on Linux and macOS, dwg2dwg.bat on Windows.

introduced in version 0.20

introduced in version 0.21: The path must contain the correct filename.

DXF

AutoCAD DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) is a proprietary format to exchange CAD data between AutoCAD and other programs.

For the DXF format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Show this dialog when importing and exporting If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when importing or exporting DXF files.
Use legacy python importer If checked, the Python importer is used, otherwise the newer C++ one. The C++ importer is faster, but has not as many features yet.

The Python importer uses the Edit → Preferences... → Draft → General settings → Internal precision level preference. For an accurate import result set this value to 8 or higher.

Use legacy python exporter If checked, the Python exporter is used, otherwise the newer C++ one. The C++ exporter is faster, but has not as many features yet.
Allow FreeCAD to automatically download and update the DXF libraries By checking this, you will allow FreeCAD to download the Python converter for DXF import and export. This converter cannot be bundled with FreeCAD because it has a different software license.
Import Select what will be imported.

If texts and dimensions is unchecked, texts and mtexts won't be imported.

If points is unchecked, points won't be imported.

If layouts is checked, paper space objects will be imported too.

Check *blocks if you want anonymous blocks (which have names beginning with a *) to be imported too.

Create Select what will be created.

If simple Part shapes is selected, only standard Part objects will be created. This is the fastest.

If Draft objects is selected, parametric Draft objects will be created whenever possible.

If Sketches is selected, sketches will be created whenever possible.

Scale factor to apply to imported files Scale factor to apply to DXF files on import. The factor is the conversion between the units of your DXF file and millimeters. Example: for files in millimeters: 1, in centimeters: 10, in meters: 1000, in inches: 25.4, in feet: 304.8.
Get original colors from the DXF file If checked, colors will be retrieved from the DXF objects whenever possible. Otherwise default colors will be applied.
Join geometry If checked, FreeCAD will try to join coincident objects into wires. Note that this can take a while!
Group layers into blocks If checked, objects from the same layers will be joined into Draft Blocks, which display faster, but are less easily editable.
Use standard font size for texts If checked, imported texts will get the standard Draft Text size, instead of the size they have in the DXF document.
Use Layers If checked, DXF layers will be imported as Draft Layers.
Import hatch boundaries as wires If checked, hatches will be converted to simple wires.
Render polylines with width If checked, if polylines have a width defined, they will be rendered as closed wires with the correct width.
Treat ellipses and splines as polylines The export of ellipses and splines is poorly supported. Use this option to export them as polylines instead.

The setting Max Spline Segment is then the maximum length of each of the polyline segments. If it is set to 0 the whole spline is treated as a straight segment.

Export 3D objects as polyface meshes If checked, all objects containing faces will be exported as 3D polyfaces.
Export Drawing Views as blocks If this is checked, Drawing Views will be exported as blocks. This might fail for post DXF R12 templates.
Project exported objects along current view direction If checked, the exported objects will be projected to reflect the current view direction. This option only works if the legacy Python exporter is used.

IFC

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is a wide spread format to exchange data between BIM applications. It is used in architecture and engineering.

Note for Linux users: To handle this file format FreeCAD requires the IfcOpenShell module.

IFC import

For import of the IFC format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Show this dialog when importing If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when importing IFC files.
Show debug messages Shows verbose debug messages during import and export of IFC files in the Report view.
Create clones when objects have shared geometry IFC objects can share a same geometry definition between several objects, only their placement is different. When this option is enabled, clones are used to achieve the same result in FreeCAD. One object is the base object, the others are clones.
Number of cores to use (experimental) Specify the number of CPU cores to use for IFC import. The maximum number should be smaller than the number of actually available cores. Use 0 to disable this feature.
Import arch IFC objects as What will be created in FreeCAD for arch IFC objects.
Import struct IFC objects as What will be created in FreeCAD for struct IFC objects.
Root element Only subtypes of the specified element will be imported. Keep the predefined element IfcProduct to import all building elements.
Separate openings If checked, openings will be imported as subtractions, otherwise wall shapes will already have their openings subtracted.
Detect extrusions If checked, the importer will try to detect extrusions. Note that this might slow things down.
Split multilayer walls Split walls made of multiple layers.
Prefix names with ID number If checked, object names will be prefixed with the IFC ID number.
Merge materials with same name and same color If several materials with the same name are found in the IFC file, they will be treated as one.
Import Ifc Properties in spreadsheet If checked, each object will have their IFC properties stored in a spreadsheet object.
Allow invalid shapes If unchecked invalid shapes are not imported.
Exclude list A comma-separated list of IFC entities to be excluded from imports.
Fit view while importing Fit view during import on the imported objects. This will slow down the import, but one can watch the import.
Import full FreeCAD parametric definitions if available Creates a full parametric model on import using stored FreeCAD object properties.

To get the FreeCAD properties, the model must have been exported using the option Export full FreeCAD parametric model.

Replace 'Project', 'Site', 'Building' and 'Storey' with 'Group' If checked, groups will be used to replace the mentioned objects.

IFC export

For export of the IFC format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Show this dialog when exporting If checked, this preferences dialog will be shown when exporting IFC files.
Export type Select how the model should be exported: as Standard model, Structural Analysis, or Standard + structural.
Force export as Brep Some IFC viewers don't like objects exported as extrusions. Use this to force all objects to be exported as BREP geometry. But avoid exporting as Brep if possible as this makes objects non-parametric.
Use DAE triangulation options Use triangulation options set in the DAE options page.
Join coplanar facets when triangulating Curved shapes that cannot be represented as curves in IFC are decomposed into flat facets. If this is checked, some additional calculation is done to join coplanar facets.
Store IFC unique ID in FreeCAD objects When exporting objects without a unique ID (UID), the generated UID will be stored inside the FreeCAD object for reuse the next time the object is exported. This leads to smaller differences between file versions.
Use IfcOpenShell serializer if available IFCOpenShell is a library for IFC files. Its serializer functionality can produce valid IFC geometry from OCC shapes.

Note that this is still an experimental feature.

Export 2D objects as IfcAnnotations If checked, 2D objects will be exported as IfcAnnotation.
Export full FreeCAD parametric model If checked, all FreeCAD object properties will be stored inside the exported objects, allowing to recreate a full parametric model on reimport using the option Import full FreeCAD parametric definitions if available.
Reuse similar entities If checked, similar entities will be used only once in the file if possible. This can reduce the file size a lot, but will make it less easily readable.
Disable IfcRectangleProfileDef Whenever possible, IFC objects that are extruded rectangles will be exported as IfcRectangleProfileDef. For applications that have problems importing these entities, select this option to ensure that all profiles are exported as IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef instead.
Auto-detect and export as standard cases when applicable Some IFC types such as IfcWall or IfcBeam have special standard versions like IfcWallStandardCase or IfcBeamStandardCase. If this option is selected, FreeCAD will automatically export such objects as standard cases when the necessary conditions are met.
Add default site if one is not found in the document When exporting an IFC file, if no site is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added. A site is not mandatory according to the IFC standard, but it is common practice to have at least one in the file.
Add default building if one is not found in the document (no standard) When exporting an IFC file, if no building is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added.

Warning: The IFC standard asks for at least one building in each file. By turning this option off, you will produce a non-standard IFC file.

However, at FreeCAD we believe having a building should not be mandatory, and this option is there to have a chance to demonstrate our point of view.

Add default building storey if one is not found in the document When exporting an IFC file, if no building storey is found in the FreeCAD document, a default one is added. A building storey is not mandatory according to the IFC standard, but it is common practice to have at least one in the file.
IFC file units Select which units will be used when exporting IFC files.

IGES

The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) file format is a file format that allows the digital exchange of information among CAD systems. After publication of the STEP file format, IGES development was stopped in 1996, but it is still supported by many CAD programs. IGES files have the .iges or .igs extension.

The tab IGES is only shown in the preferences if the Part Workbench, PartDesign Workbench, or OpenSCAD Workbench has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

For the IGES format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Units for export of IGES Select what unit will be used when exporting IGES files.
Write solids and shells as Select how solids and shells should be output.

If Groups of Trimmed Surfaces (type 144) is selected, they will be exported as trimmed surfaces.

If Solids (type 186) and Shells (type 514) / B-REP mode is selected, solids will be exported as manifold solid B-Rep objects, shells as shells.

Skip blank entities If checked, blank entities will not be imported.
Company If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the company.
Author If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the author.
Product If not empty, the entered text will be used in the IGES file header for the product.

INP

INP is the input file format for the FEM software Abaqus. It is used for the CalculiX solver in the FEM Workbench.

The tab INP is only shown in the preferences if the FEM Workbench has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

For the INP format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Which mesh elements to export Select which mesh elements should be exported.

If All is selected, all elements will be exported.

If Highest is selected, only the highest elements will be exported. This means volumes for a volume mesh and faces for a shell mesh.

If FEM is selected, only FEM elements will be exported. This means only edges not belonging to faces and faces not belonging to volumes.

Export group data If checked, mesh groups are exported too. Every constraint and, if there are different materials, material consists of two mesh groups, faces and nodes where the constraint or material is applied.

Mesh Formats

Meshes are a special type of 3D object, composed of triangular faces connected by their vertices and edges. They are widely used for additive manufacturing. FreeCAD provides the Mesh Workbench to create and handle meshes. FreeCAD supports several mesh file formats.

The tab Mesh Formats is only shown in the preferences if the Mesh Workbench has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

For the Mesh formats you can specify the following:

Name Description
Maximum mesh deviation Specification of the maximal deviation between the mesh and the object.
Export AMF files using compression If checked, ZIP compression is used when writing a mesh file in AMF format.
Width Width of Asymptote page.
Height Height of Asymptote page.

OCA

The OCA file format is a community project to create a free, simple and open CAD file format. OCA is largely based on the GCAD file format generated by gCAD3D. Both formats can be imported in FreeCAD and the OCA files exported by FreeCAD can be opened in gCAD3D.

For the OCA format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Import OCA areas If checked, the areas (3D faces) will be imported too.

STEP

The Standard for The Exchange of Product model data (STEP) file format is an ISO standard for the computer-interpretable representation and exchange of product manufacturing information. STEP is commonly used to exchange 3D data between CAD software. STEP files have the .step or .stp extension. For compressed files the .stpz extension is used.

The tab STEP is only shown in the preferences if the Part Workbench, PartDesign Workbench, or OpenSCAD Workbench has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

For the STEP format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Units for export of STEP Select which units will be used when exporting STEP files.
Write out curves in parametric space of surface If checked, parametric curves (curves in parametric space of surfaces) will be written into the STEP file. Unchecking the option can be helpful to minimize the size of the resulting STEP file.
Export invisible objects Uncheck this to skip invisible object when exporting, which is useful for CAD applications that do not support invisibility STEP styling.
Export single object placement Check this option to keep the placement information when exporting a single object. Please note that when re-importing the STEP file, the placement will be encoded into the shape geometry, instead of keeping it inside the Placement property.
Use legacy exporter Use the legacy exporter.
Scheme Select the STEP application protocol (AP) to be used for the export.

AP 203 is the protocol for configuration controlled 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies.

AP 214 is the protocol for core data for automotive mechanical design processes.

Enable STEP Compound merge If checked, a compound merge will be done during file reading. This is slower but results in higher details.
Use LinkGroup Select this to use App::LinkGroup group containers instead of App::Part group containers.
Import invisible objects Select this to import invisible objects.
Reduce number of objects Reduce the number of objects using Link arrays.
Expand compound shape Expand compound shapes with multiple solids.
Show progress bar when importing Show a progress bar when importing.
Ignore instance names Do not use instance names. Useful for some legacy STEP files with non-meaningful auto-generated instance names.
Mode Select the required document structure.

Single document

Assembly per document

Assembly per document in sub-directory

Object per document

Object per document in sub-directory

Company If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the company.
Author If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the author.
Product If not empty, the entered text will be used in the STEP file header for the product.

SVG

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a vector image format for two-dimensional graphics. A vector image can be scaled to any size without losing its shape or details. An SVG image can be converted to bitmap formats like PNG or JPEG for printing.

For the SVG format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Import style Select how SVG object colors and line widths will be imported.

If None (fastest) is selected no color or line width settings will be imported.

If Use default color and linewidth is selected FreeCAD will use its default color and line width.

If Original color and linewidth is selected FreeCAD will use the color and linewidth from the SVG objects.

Disable units scaling If checked, no unit conversion will occur. One unit in the SVG file will translate as one millimeter.
Export style Select how Sketches are exported to SVG.

If Translated (for print & display) is selected, SVG objects are encapsulated in a group that is scaled and moved to the correct place in the SVG document to fit into a printable area.

If Raw (for CAM) is selected, SVG objects are placed as they are - at the same coordinates as in the FreeCAD model (1:1 export).

Translate white line color to black If checked, all white lines will appear in black in the SVG for better readability against white backgrounds.
Max segment length for discretized arcs Versions of Open CASCADE older than version 6.8 don't support arc projection. In this case arcs will be discretized into small line segments. This value is the maximum segment length.

VTK

The Visualization Toolkit (VTK) is an open-source, freely available software system for 3D computer graphics, image processing and visualization. VTK files are used by the FEM Workbench for the post processing of simulation results.

The tab VTK is only shown in the preferences if the FEM Workbench has been loaded in the current FreeCAD session.

For the VTK format you can specify the following:

Name Description
Which object to import into Select what objects should be imported.

If VTK result object is selected, a FreeCAD FEM VTK result object will be imported (equals to the object which was exported).

If FEM mesh object is selected, the results in the VTK file will be omitted, only the mesh data will be imported and a FreeCAD FEM mesh object will be created.

If FreeCAD result object is selected, the imported data will be converted into a FreeCAD FEM Result object. Note: this setting needs the exact result component names and thus it only works properly with VTK files exported from FreeCAD.