TechDraw Workbench/cs
Introduction
The TechDraw Workbench is used to produce basic technical drawings from 3D models created with another workbench such as Part, PartDesign, or Arch, or imported from other applications. Each drawing is a Page, which can contain various Views of drawable objects such as Part::Features, PartDesign::Bodies, App::Part groups, and Document Object groups. The resulting drawings can be used for things like documentation, manufacturing instructions, contracts, permits, etc.
Dimensions, sections, hatched areas, annotations, and SVG symbols can be added to the page, which can be further exported to different formats like DXF, SVG, and PDF.
TechDraw was officially included in FreeCAD starting with version 0.17; it is intended to replace the unsupported Drawing Workbench. Both workbenches are still provided in v0.17, but the Drawing Workbench may be removed in future releases. To keep up with TechDraw plans and developments, visit the TechDraw Roadmap.
If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and DXF files, and you don't need 3D modelling, FreeCAD may not be the right choice for you. You may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting instead, such as LibreCAD or QCad.
Pages
These are tools for creating Page objects.
- Insert Default Page: adds a new page using the default template.
- Insert Page using Template: adds a new page using a selected template.
- Redraw Page: forces an update of the selected page. introduced in version 0.19
Views
These are tools for creating View objects.
- Insert View: adds a 2D projection view of an object.
- Insert Active View: inserts a view of the active 3D view. introduced in version 0.19
- Insert Projection Group: invokes a dialog to create many views of an object from multiple directions.
- Insert Section View: inserts a cross-section view of an existing view.
- Insert Detail View: inserts a detail view of a portion of an existing view.
- Insert Draft Workbench Object: inserts a view of a Draft Workbench object.
- Insert Arch Workbench Object: inserts a view of an Arch Workbench Section Plane object.
- Insert Spreadsheet View: inserts a view of a Spreadsheet Workbench sheet.
- Move View: Moves a view and its dependents to a different page. introduced in version 0.20
- Share View: Share a view between multiple pages. introduced in version 0.20
Clips
These are tools to create and manage Clip objects (clipped views).
- Insert Clip Group: inserts a clip group into a page.
- Add View to Clip Group: adds an existing view to a clip group.
- Remove View from Clip Group: removes a view from a clip group.
Decorations
These are tools to decorate pages or views:
- Hatch Face using Image File: applies a hatch pattern from a file to a face.
- Apply Geometric Hatch to Face: applies a hatch pattern to a face using an Autodesk PAT specification.
- Insert SVG Symbol: inserts a symbol from a SVG file into a page.
- Insert Bitmap Image: inserts a PNG or JPG bitmap image into a page.
- Turn View Frames On/Off: turns on/off frames and labels surrounding a view.
Dimensions
These are tools for creating and working with Dimension objects.
Linear dimensions can be based on two points, on one line, or on two lines.
- Insert Length Dimension: adds a length dimension.
- Insert Horizontal Dimension: adds a horizontal length dimension.
- Insert Vertical Dimension: adds a vertical length dimension.
- Insert Radius Dimension: adds a radius dimension to a circle or circular arc.
- Insert Diameter Dimension: adds a diameter dimension to a circle or a circular arc.
- Insert Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension between two straight edges.
- Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension using three vertices.
- Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension: adds a horizontal extent dimension. introduced in version 0.19
- Insert Vertical Extent Dimension: adds a vertical extent dimension. introduced in version 0.19
- Link Dimension to 3D Geometry: links an existing dimension to the 3D geometry.
- Insert Balloon Annotation: adds a "balloon" annotation to a page. introduced in version 0.19
- Insert Landmark Dimension: adds a landmark distance dimension. introduced in version 0.19
Annotations
The annotation tools are for "marking up" a drawing with additional information.
- Insert Annotation: adds a plain text block as annotation.
- Add Leaderline to View: adds a leaderline to a view. introduced in version 0.19
- Insert Rich Text Annotation: adds an rich text block as annotation to a leaderline or a view. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Cosmetic Vertex: adds a Vertex which is not part of the source geometry. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Midpoint Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at midpoints of selected edges. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Quadrant Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at quarter points of selected (circular) edges. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Centerline to Faces: adds a centerline to selected face(s). introduced in version 0.19
- Add Centerline between 2 Lines: adds a centerline between 2 lines. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Centerline between 2 Points: adds a centerline between 2 points. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points: adds a cosmetic line connecting 2 vertices. introduced in version 0.19
- Remove Cosmetic Object: removes cosmetic objects from a page. introduced in version 0.19
- Change Appearance of Lines: changes the appearance of selected line(s). introduced in version 0.19
- Show/Hide Invisible Edges: shows/hides invisible lines/edges in a view. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Welding Information to Leader: adds welding specifications to an existing leaderline. introduced in version 0.19
- Add Surface Finish Symbol: adds a surface finish symbol to a page. introduced in version 1.0
Extensions
These are tools to improve your TechDraw drawings.
Attributes and modifications
- Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance: selects the attributes (style, width and color) for new cosmetic lines and centerlines, and specifies the cascade spacing and delta distance. introduced in version 0.20
- Change Line Attributes: changes the attributes (style, width and color) of cosmetic lines and centerlines. introduced in version 0.20
- Extend Line: extends a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends. introduced in version 0.20
- Shorten Line: shortens a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends. introduced in version 0.20
- Lock/Unlock View: locks or unlocks the position of a view. introduced in version 0.20
- Position Section View: orthogonally aligns a section view with its source view. introduced in version 0.20
- Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions: aligns horizontal dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20
- Position Vertical Chain Dimensions: aligns vertical dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20
- Position Oblique Chain Dimensions: aligns oblique dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20
- Cascade Horizontal Dimensions: evenly spaces horizontal dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Cascade Vertical Dimensions: evenly spaces vertical dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Cascade Oblique Dimensions: evenly spaces oblique dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Calculate the area of selected faces: calculates the area of selected faces and inserts an area annotation. introduced in version 0.20
- Customize format label: customizes the formatting of a balloon text or dimension text. GD&T symbols and other special character can be added. introduced in version 0.20
Centerlines and threading
- Add Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to circles and arcs. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Bolt Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to a circular pattern of circles. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a hole. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of holes. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a bolt/screw/rod. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of bolts/screws/rods. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es): adds cosmetic vertex(es) at the intersection(s) of selected edges. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Circle: adds a cosmetic circle based on two vertexes. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Arc: adds a cosmetic counter clockwise arc based on three vertexes. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points: adds a cosmetic circle based on three vertexes. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Parallel Line: adds a cosmetic line parallel to another line through a vertex. introduced in version 0.20
- Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line: adds a cosmetic line perpendicular to another line through a vertex. introduced in version 0.20
Dimensions
- Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned horizontal dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Vertical Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned vertical dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Oblique Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned oblique dimensions. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced horizontal dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced vertical dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced oblique dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension: creates a horizontal size and angle dimension for a chamfer. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension: creates a vertical size and angle dimension for a chamfer. introduced in version 0.20
- Create Arc Length Dimension: creates an arc length dimension. introduced in version 0.20
- Insert '⌀' Prefix: inserts a '⌀' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20
- Insert '〼' Prefix: inserts a '〼' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20
- Remove Prefix: removes all symbols at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20
- Increase Decimal Places: increases the number of decimal places of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20
- Decrease Decimal Places: decreases the number of decimal places of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20
Export
These are tools for exporting pages to other applications.
- Export Page as SVG: saves the current page as SVG file.
- Export Page as DXF: saves the current page as DXF file.
Additional features
- Line Groups: to control the appearance of various types of lines.
- Templates: the default templates defined for the drawing pages.
- Hatching: explanation of the different hatching techniques.
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing: explanation on how to achieve geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
Preferences
- Preferences: preferences for the default values of the drawing page such as projection angle, colors, text sizes, and line styles.
Scripting
The TechDraw tools can be used in macros and from the Python console by using two APIs.
Limitations
- TechDraw drawings and its API are not interchangeable with the Drawing Workbench and its API. It is possible to convert Drawing Pages to TechDraw Pages using a Python script (
moveViews.py
). - It is possible to have both TechDraw and Drawing Pages in the same FreeCAD document, as each page is completely independent from each other.
- There are minor differences in specifying editable texts in SVG templates compared to the Drawing module. In TechDraw the scaling of the SVG document affects the position of the editable text fields. See the forum discussion TechDraw templates scale for more details.
- Do not cut, copy and paste TechDraw objects in the Tree view as this generally does not work out well.
- Do not drag TechDraw objects in the Tree view with the mouse.
Tutorials
- Basic TechDraw Tutorial: introduction to creating drawings with the TechDraw Workbench.
- Creating a new template: instructions to create a new page template in Inkscape for using with the TechDraw Workbench.
- TechDraw TemplateGenerator: instructions to create a macro for generating a basic template.
- A "few" added lines of code result in a tool like the Macro TemplateHelper.
- Measurement Of Angles On Holes: instructions for adding centerlines and subsequent angle representations on holes.
- Miscellaneous: instructions for different settings like center marks, etc.
- TechDraw Pitch Circle Tutorial: instructions for adding a pitch circle.
Video tutorials by sliptonic
- TechDraw Workbench Part 1 (Basics), Part 2 (Dimensions), Part 3 (Multiview)
- TechDraw Workbench Part 4 (Section and Detail), Part 5 (Customizing Templates)
- Pages: Insert Default Page, Insert Page using Template, Redraw Page, Print All Pages
- Views: Insert View, Insert Active View, Insert Projection Group, Insert Section View, Insert Complex Section View, Insert Detail View, Insert Draft Workbench Object, Insert Arch Workbench Object, Insert Spreadsheet View, Insert Clip Group, Share View, Project Shape
- Stacking: Move view to top of stack, Move view to bottom of stack, Move view up one level, Move view down one level
- Decorations: Hatch Face using Image File, Apply Geometric Hatch to Face, Insert SVG Symbol, Insert Bitmap Image, Turn View Frames On/Off
- Dimensions: Insert Length Dimension, Insert Horizontal Dimension, Insert Vertical Dimension, Insert Radius Dimension, Insert Diameter Dimension, Insert Angle Dimension, Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension, Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension, Insert Vertical Extent Dimension, Link Dimension to 3D Geometry, Insert Balloon Annotation, Insert Axonometric Length Dimension, Insert Landmark Dimension, Adjust Geometric References of Dimension
- Annotations: Insert Annotation, Add Leaderline to View, Insert Rich Text Annotation, Add Cosmetic Vertex, Add Midpoint Vertices, Add Quadrant Vertices, Add Centerline to Faces, Add Centerline between 2 Lines, Add Centerline between 2 Points, Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points, Add Cosmetic Circle, Change Appearance of Lines, Show/Hide Invisible Edges, Add Welding Information to Leader, Add Surface Finish Symbol, Add Hole or Shaft Tolerances
- Extensions:
- Attributes and modifications: Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance, Change Line Attributes, Extend Line, Shorten Line, Lock/Unlock View, Position Section View, Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Position Vertical Chain Dimensions, Position Oblique Chain Dimensions, Cascade Horizontal Dimensions, Cascade Vertical Dimensions, Cascade Oblique Dimensions, Calculate the area of selected faces, Calculate the arc length of selected edges, Customize format label
- Centerlines and threading: Add Circle Centerlines, Add Bolt Circle Centerlines, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es), Add an offset vertex, Add Cosmetic Circle, Add Cosmetic Arc, Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points, Add Cosmetic Parallel Line, Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line
- Dimensions: Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Create Vertical Chain Dimensions, Create Oblique Chain Dimensions, Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions, Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions, Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions, Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension, Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension, Create Arc Length Dimension, Insert '⌀' Prefix, Insert '〼' Prefix, Remove Prefix, Increase Decimal Places, Decrease Decimal Places
- Export: Export Page as SVG, Export Page as DXF
- Additional: Line Groups, Templates, Hatching, Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, Preferences
- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
- Workbenches: Std Base, Assembly, BIM, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework
- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub