Release notes 0.19
Are features missing? Mention them in the Release notes for v0.19 forum thread.
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Older FreeCAD release notes can be found in Feature list.
General
Python3 / Qt5
The effort to migrate from Python2 and Qt4 to Python3 and Qt5 is essentially complete and most developers have moved to the Python3 / Qt5 toolchains.
Undoubtedly there are unforeseen bugs and unanticipated breakages that will present themselves during the next development cycle or two, but any existing dependence on Python2 or Qt4 will not be supported moving forward. Note that some developers of certain workbenches have not yet ported to Python3 / Qt5. This may be caused by many things, including a lack of support, time, resources, or broken dependencies that may or may not be easily fixed. Individuals interested in the migration of a particular workbench or tool are encouraged to participate in the forums.
Development
- Merged QtWebEngine support. pull request
- New Libpack for Windows Discussion
- Added support for existing Python vitrual environments pull request
Other
- Fixed broken support for INCH units when exoprting to STEP/IGES formats (Discussion) (Github)
- Imporved import / export compatibility with proprietary CAD systems (Github)
- Pre-select name filter in the import / export dialog (git commit) (discussion)
- Fix missing app ID and icon on Wayland ([1])
Known Limitations
- Black screen due to video card drivers + need thread references here (Bug #3939)
- Setting Qt::AA_ShareOpenGLContexts for Qt5.9 (Discussion) (Github)
- Disabled ESC button support in View3DInventor::keyEvent() for Qt5 to avoid MDI view mode-related rendering artifacts (Discussion) (Github)
- Logitech Wingman USB joystick can cause erratic behavior in the view (Discussion)
- Gesture navigation is fully supported for Windows but yet to be maintained for Linux or MacOS platforms. Problem: @DeepSOIC (dev) doesn't have a MacOS machine/trackpad and hasn't tested on Linux either. (thread)
User Interface
COIL icon theme developed by 1D_Inc Discussion | |
New icon theme management / support developed by triplus Discussion | |
New dark stylesheet developed by zmp2000 Discussion github | |
Dark and Darker-Then_dark themes by Ppablogil Discussion | |
File:Custom-property.gif | Adding dynamic properties by RealThunder Discussion |
Assembly
App::Link object allows lightweight linking of FreeCAD objects in a document and from external documents by RealThunder Discussion |
Arch Workbench
The Arch Site tool once more is able to produce sun path diagrams if the given latitude, longitude, and declination are provided. This requires Pysolar 0.7 or above, and only works with Python 3. (Forum discussion) | |
The Arch Site tool now can display a compass to show the direction of the "true North" (declination) in the model. By the default, North is aligned to the Y axis. This is useful when working in real world coordinates. (Forum discussion) | |
The Arch SectionPlane tool now has the ability of clipping the view, to act as a camera. (Forum discussion) | |
The Arch Fence tool was added to produce fence objects starting from a post and a path. (Forum discussion) | |
File:Arch Rebar Orientation4.png | Miscellaneous improvements in the Reinforcement Addon that extends the Arch Rebar tool.
The intention is to facilitate the automatic creation of simple and complex rebars. |
Selected elements occluded by other elements are represented in a blue shade to indicate their position within the model. |
Curved Shapes Workbench
A workbench for designing curves 3D surfaces. [https://github.com/chbergmann/CurvedShapesWorkbench
(github)] (discussion) |
Draft Workbench
New Edit Improved mode to edit shapes by directly manipulating the nodes. (Discussion) (animated gif image) | |
File:Draft 3rd degree bezier.gif | Create 3rd degree Bezier curves in Draft similar to Inkscape. (Discussion) (animated gif image) |
New Draft Arc 3Points tool creates circular arcs by specifying three points through which the arc passes. | |
Replaces Draft VisGroup, providing a layer system familiar to other CAD systems. Supports adding objects by drag-and-drop, controls object visibility and, optionally, object color.
(Discussion) (Gihub) |
Other Changes
- Renamed DWire to PolyLine (Github)
- Substantial reqorking to improve FreeCAD 2D drafting and better support for TechDraw by yorik (Discussion)
FEM Workbench
Part Workbench
- New Face method : aFace.cutHoles(list_of_wires) to cut holes into a face. (The face usually needs to be validated after operation)
- New command: Create face points object from mesh ([2])
PartDesign workbench
Path Workbench
Added Coolant Modes for Coolant Management (Discussion) |
Other Changes
- Fixed P3 Memory Leak (Discussion)
Render Workbench
Added support for Blender Cycles renderer (git commit)
Sketcher Workbench
Sketcher Elements Widget - Filter geomtry by type (Discussion)
Spreadsheet Workbench
== Start Workbench
Readded example files with saved thumbnails in their icons (git commit)
Surface Workbench
TechDraw Workbench
Improved scaling support for viewport geometry added as an image to a drawing | |
Added balloon decorators for Techdraw notes | |
Added support for leader lines and rich text formatting | |
Support for "cosmetic" dimensioning, which is not based on existing geometry | |
Mask portions of a drawing and add centerlines to faces | |
Welding icon set
(Discussion)(Github) |
Other TechDaw Changes
- Fixed font size issues when exporting to SVG (discussion) (pull request)
- Support for Russian standard document templates (Github)
- Add options for page size, line width and background on SVG (github)
- Panning support using middle mouse button (github)
- Improved Drawing update control ([3])
Material Handling
Macros
Automatic Light-Guage Steel Frame Creator |
Additional Modules
A2plus discussion github | |
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A new workbench to assemble different parts in FreeCAD. It is an extension of the Assembly2 workbench providing an extended color and transparency handling for parts and a new constraint using the center of mass of parts.
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CadQuery github | |
Scripting based on the CadQuery CAD scripting API. A new code editor is available and script variables can be edited dynamically through a parameter dialog. The workbench also supports normal file operations for CadQuery scripts (open, new, close, etc), and example scripts to help users learn new concepts. | |
Civil Engineering/Transportation Workbench | |
A toolset for developing highway and railway designs, including horizontal alignments, vertical profiles, and 3D models | |
Curves github discussion | |
A collection of tools to create and edit NURBS curves and surfaces. | |
Defeaturing Workbench discussion github | |
Edit imported STEP models and remove selected features from the model. | |
Electromagnetic (EM) discussion | |
Electromagnetic | |
Fasteners Workbench discussion github details | |
Generate screws, bolts, washers, and other fasteners | |
Flamingo Workbench discussion github | |
A set of customized FreeCAD commands and objects that help to speed-up the drawing of frames and pipelines. | |
InventorLoader discussion github | |
Import Autodesk Inventor files (in progress). | |
KicadStepUp Workbench discussion sourceforge | |
Provide support for KiCad and FreeCAD users in ECAD and MCAD collaboration. | |
Lithophane Workbench github discussion | |
Create Lithophanes by projecting images onto solid surfaces | |
Manipulator Workbench discussion | |
Tools to aid in part manipulation | |
Nurbs discussion github Microelly's "FreeCAD Buch" | |
A collection of scripts for managing freeform surfaces and curves. | |
SheetMetal Workbench Discussion (thread 1 | thread 2 | thread 3) github | |
Tools for designing and bending objects made from sheet metal | |
Silk discussiongithub | |
A collection of NURBS surface modeling tools focused on low degree and seam continuity. | |
SQL Workbench discussion github | |
Perform Structured Query Language (SQL) queries on FreeCAD document files to retrieve and report model data. |