From FreeCAD Documentation
Introduction
External workbenches are those created by power users which haven't been integrated into the main FreeCAD source code.
Most extensions can be installed from the Addon Manager (menu Tools → Addon manager). If there are specific instructions for using these workbenches, these should be noted in each workbench's home page.
These workbenches aren't supported by the main FreeCAD development team, so they aren't tested to work with every version of FreeCAD. Questions, bug reports, and improvement requests should be made directly to the authors of the particular workbench.
The lists in this page are organized in topics, but not all of them are available in the Addon Manager. See external workbench list for an alphabetic list of those workbenches that really appear in the Addon Manager.
Current extensions
General
Add workbenches that don't fit a special category here.
Architecture and construction
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Dodo
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Architecture and construction
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It provides tools to create frames (trusses, beams) and pipelines (tubes, elbows, flanges), and query those objects.
This is the new version of Flamingo, intended for Python 3 and Qt5.
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oddtopus
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https://github.com/oddtopus/dodo
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Flamingo
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Architecture and construction
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It provides tools to create frames (trusses, beams) and pipelines (tubes, elbows, flanges), and query those objects.
This is the old version of Dodo, intended for Python 2 and Qt4. You should prefer Dodo for new models.
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oddtopus
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https://github.com/oddtopus/flamingo
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GeoData
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Architecture and construction
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It provides tool to import geographical information from a given point on Earth by its latitude and longitude, of from OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, Bing Map, or Here Map.
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microelly2
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https://github.com/microelly2/geodata
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Geomatics
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Architecture and construction
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It is partially based on the GeoData Workbench. It provides functionality specific to Geomatics or Survey engineering, including importing point files, creating surfaces, creating contours, and creating sections.
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HakanSeven12
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https://github.com/HakanSeven12/FreeCAD-Geomatics-Workbench
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Reinforcement
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Architecture and construction
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It augments the Arch Workbench with additional Arch Rebar tools, including straight, U-shape, L-shape, bent, stirrup, and helical, to be used inside objects created with the Arch Structure tool.
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amrit3701
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https://github.com/amrit3701/FreeCAD-Reinforcement
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Render
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Architecture and construction
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It can produce high-quality rendered images, using open-source external rendering engines like Pov-ray, Luxrender, and Appleseed. Render is a replacement for the Raytracing Workbench, and uses the same templates so they are compatible. In the future Render may also support Kerkythea, Blender's EEVEE, and OpenCascade's CadRays engines.
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yorikvanhavre
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https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-render
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Timber
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Architecture and construction
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It provides tools to facilitate the design and modeling of wood-frame and structural walls.
This workbench is no longer developed and maintained by its author.
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j-wiedemann
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https://github.com/j-wiedemann/FreeCAD-Timber
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- Civil Engineering is a proposed workbench that intends to combine and develop different tools of interest to civil engineers, including those working with road engineering, terrain topology and geographic data.
Assembly and animation
As of FreeCAD 0.19 there is no official assembly workbench. However, several external tools have been created or are in development to manipulate objects to produce assemblies.
Note: assembly workbenches are generally incompatible with each other. If you create an assembly with one of these workbenches, you should stick to the original workbench, and not use another assembly workbench in the same document.
Pseudo-assembly
These workbenches don't use constraints to keep relationships between parts, but simply re-position the parts in space.
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Animation
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Pseudo-assembly
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It contains many tools to simulate movement of parts, create sequences of pictures, and thus produce an animation. The position and rotation of objects can be changed at different times, but also other properties like visibility, transparency, shape color, and camera position.
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microelly2
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https://github.com/microelly2/Animation
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ExplodedAssembly
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Pseudo-assembly
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It allows creating exploded views and animations of assemblies. It was previously known as "ExplodedAnimation".
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JMG1
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https://github.com/JMG1/ExplodedAssembly
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Lattice2
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Pseudo-assembly
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It provides tools for working with placements and arrays of placements. It is a sort of assembly workbench but there are no constraints nor relationships. Instead, the workbench focuses in arrays of placements that can be generated, combined, transformed, superimposed, and populated with shapes. It can also create exploded assemblies.
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DeepSOIC
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https://github.com/DeepSOIC/Lattice2
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Manipulator
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Pseudo-assembly
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It is aimed at helping users in aligning, moving, rotating, and measuring 3D objects through a friendly graphical interface.
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easyw
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https://github.com/easyw/Manipulator
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Part-o-magic
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Pseudo-assembly
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It is an experimental workbench that provides some improvements to Std Part and PartDesign Body containers (automatic grouping, visibility automation, etc.), in order to work with documents that have multiple parts with deep feature hierarchies. It provides a Body-like container for the Part Workbench, and for other workbenches that produce solid shapes. Part-o-magic does not provide assembly constraints, but the tools included may be useful in conjunction with a true assembly workbench.
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DeepSOIC
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https://github.com/DeepSOIC/Part-o-magic
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Workfeature
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Pseudo-assembly
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It provides tools to produce different points, axes, and planes, in order to facilitate the creation of assemblies. This workbench is based on the older Workfeatures macro, which was hosted in the macros recipes page. Currently, the macro has a bit more functionality than the workbench, but eventually the workbench will integrate all existing tools of the macro. They also differ in the graphical user interface; the macro creates a panel next to the tree view and the task panel, while the workbench provides its tools in toolbars, just like other workbenches.
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Rentlau
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https://github.com/Rentlau/WorkFeature-WB
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Customization
Simulation
Engineering
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AirPlaneDesign
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Engineering
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It is an experimental workbench to design wings and airplane objects.
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FredsFactory
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https://github.com/FredsFactory/FreeCAD_AirPlaneDesign
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FreeCADTools
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Engineering
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It contains tools to create metal profiles, square tubing, z profile, palette, rotation, drawing, and more.
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Siardeni
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https://github.com/Siardeni/FreeCADTools
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Glider
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Engineering
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It contains tools to design paragliders and kites using the OpenGlider library.
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booya
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https://github.com/booya-at/OpenGlider
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GDML
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Engineering
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It contains tools to handle the Geometry Definition Markup Language (GDML).
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KeithSloan
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https://github.com/KeithSloan/GDML
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GDT
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Engineering
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It is a collection of tools to add geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GDT) labels in 2D and 3D technical drawings. It implements the standard ISO 16792.
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juanvanyo
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https://github.com/juanvanyo/FreeCAD-GDT
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KicadStepUp
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Engineering
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It is aimed at helping both KiCad and FreeCAD users in collaborating with electrical (ECAD) and mechanical (MCAD) design. With FreeCAD it's possible to design a printed circuit board, and push it to KiCad; alternatively, the board can be designed in KiCad, it can be imported by FreeCAD, it can be edited with the Sketcher Workbench, and pushed back into KiCad. The 3D model, boards and enclosure, can be exported to VRML with materials properties for use in KiCad or Blender.
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easyw
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https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod
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LCInterlocking
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Engineering
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It contains tools to create parts for laser-cutters. Add tabs and hinges. Export to SVG.
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execuc
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https://github.com/execuc/LCInterlocking
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Pyrate
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Engineering
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It is used to design optical lenses. The project aims to provide an optical raytracer for isotropic, homogeneous anisotropic and inhomogeneous isotropic GRIN media.
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mess42, joha2
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https://github.com/mess42/pyrate
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SheetMetal
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Engineering
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It provides tools to design an object made of a folded sheet, such as a metal case or enclosure. The user starts with a flat sheet, then uses tools to extrude and bend the faces of the object until the desired shape is obtained. The body may then be unfolded to obtain the required flat material required, and to use as input for mills or lasercutting machines.
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Shai Seger, Ulrich Brammer
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https://github.com/shaise/FreeCAD_SheetMetal
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Ship
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Engineering
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It is used to create structures that are common to ships. It currently is seeking a maintainer.
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Jose Luis Cercós Pita
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https://github.com/FreeCAD/freecad.ship
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Information and data
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CADExchanger
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Information and data
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It is an extension that allows FreeCAD to import and export file formats supported by the commercial "CAD Exchanger" application, such as Rhino 3dm or ACIS sat, and mesh formats like OBJ and STL.
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yorikvanhavre
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https://github.com/yorikvanhavre/CADExchanger
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dxf_library
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Information and data
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It installs the DXF Python importer and exporter. This was required in FreeCAD versions v0.15 and below. This is not needed anymore when using the built-in DXF importer in v0.16 and above. This library is still needed if you wish to explicitly use the Python importer, or if you wish to export directly from the 3D model. Please notice that the built-in importer is faster than the Python importer, but in many cases the Python importer produces better results.
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yorikvanhavre
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https://github.com/yorikvanhavre/Draft-dxf-importer
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DynamicData
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Information and data
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It is an extension that allows creating container objects to hold custom properties of any type that FreeCAD supports, for example, length or placement. These custom properties can then be used in mathematical expressions just like other properties in the Sketcher Workbench or Spreadsheet Workbench.
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mwganson
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https://github.com/mwganson/DynamicData
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InventorLoader
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Information and data
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It is an extension designed to import Autodesk Inventor files. Currently only Parts (IPT) can be displayed, not assemblies (IAM) nor drawings (IDW). As Inventor files contain a complete ACIS model representation, SAT and SAB files can also be imported. Export will not be supported, neither to IPT nor to SAT.
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jmplonka
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https://github.com/jmplonka/InventorLoader
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Shapes
Parts
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BOLTSFC
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Parts
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It is an extension that allows you to use the BOLTS "Open Library for Technical Specifications", which is a collection of objects like nuts, screws, bolts, and so on, parametrically defined.
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jreinhardt, berndhahnebach
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https://github.com/berndhahnebach/BOLTSFC
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CadQuery
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Parts
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It allows users to design parametric 3D CAD models defined by the CadQuery CAD scripting API. It includes a full-featured editor with auto-completion, syntax highlighting, line numbering, and code folding. Example scripts are included. Script variables can be edited dynamically through the use of a parameter dialog. This workbench also includes cqparts, which is a library that adds support for parts and assemblies with constraints on top of CadQuery.
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jmwright
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https://github.com/jmwright/cadquery-freecad-module/wiki
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File:FNLogo.svg
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Fasteners Workbench
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Parts
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It is a workbench that provides various fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, etc., to attach to your model complying with ISO standards.
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Ulrich Bramar (@ulrich1a) and Shai Seger (@shais)
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https://github.com/shaise/FreeCAD_FastenersWB
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FCGear
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Parts
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It is an extension that adds many different gears like cylindric involute, involute rack, cylindric cycloid, spherical involute bevel-gear, and crown gear.
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looooo
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https://github.com/looooo/freecad.gears
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Frametools
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Parts
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It is an extension with tools to create frames and beams, including two intersecting beams, in which one beam is cut by a plane or by another beam.
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looooo
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https://github.com/looooo/freecad.frametools
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Parts Library
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Parts
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It is an extension that downloads a library of parts in STEP format .step or in FreeCAD format .FCStd that can be imported into a document. Users can contribute content to this library by forking the repository, adding their own parts under a permissive CC-BY 3.0 license, and submitting a pull request to merge the new objects.
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Community
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https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-library
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PCB
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Parts
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It is a workbench that allows the user to import and create printed circuit boards (PCB) in FreeCAD. It supports layers, colors, transparencies, importing Step and Iges models, and displaying holes and vias.
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marmni
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https://github.com/marmni/FreeCAD-PCB
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Retr3d
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Parts
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It is a framework designed to model and manufacture 3D printable parts starting from electronic waste. The intention of this project is to recycle e-waste, and promote 3D printing, especially in developing economies.
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Maaphoo
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https://github.com/Maaphoo/Retr3d/
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Symbols Library
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Parts
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It is an extension that downloads a library of SVG symbols that can be used in FreeCAD, particularly in the TechDraw Workbench to produce technical documentation. Users can contribute content to this library by forking the repository, adding their own symbols under a permissive CC-BY 3.0 license, and submitting a pull request to merge the new objects.
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Community
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https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-symbols
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ThreadProfile
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Parts
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It provides tools to create parametric 2D thread profiles compatible with extrusion tools in Part and PartDesign workbenches.
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TheMarkster
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https://github.com/mwganson/ThreadProfile
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Deprecated extensions
- Assembly2 provides tools to create multi-part assemblies. It is unmaintained since 2016. Consider using A2plus instead.
- cura_engine (github link) is an extension that integrates CuraEngine into FreeCAD in order to facilitate gcode generation for 3D printing. This addon is unmaintained since 2014 and no longer works with recent versions of CuraEngine.
- Drawing Dimensioning adds powerful dimensioning and annotation tools to the Drawing Workbench. It was deprecated in FreeCAD 0.17. Consider using TechDraw Workbench instead.
- NavigationIndicator (github link) is an extension that adds an indicator for the mouse navigation style in the status bar. Since FreeCAD 0.17 this extension is obsolete, as the indicator is included natively in FreeCAD.
- persistenttoolbars (github link) is a small extension to keep the toolbars in their locations. Since FreeCAD 0.17 this extension is obsolete, as the functionality is included natively in FreeCAD.
- pluginloader (github link) is a small extension that allows the user to install macros, external workbenches, and other extensions in FreeCAD. Since FreeCAD 0.17 this utility is obsolete, as this functionality is already provided by the Addon Manager.
Translating external workbenches
See the wiki page for more information Translating an external workbench
Missing documentation
(April 2019) If you are the developer or a user of a new workbench, add it below. However, consider creating a page for it, or providing a link to its documentation in the proper section above.
User documentation
- 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