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This is the documentation wiki of FreeCAD
= FreeCAD =


== Hubs ==
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* [[User_hub]]
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* [[Power_users_hub]]

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<i>A parametric 3D CAD modeler</i>

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{{downloads}}

{{screenshot|Rim_bling.png|a screenshot showing version 0.12}}

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'''FreeCAD''' is a general purpose [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parametric_feature_based_modeler feature-based, parametric 3D modeler] for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD CAD], MCAD, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAx CAx], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_engineering CAE] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_Lifecycle_Management PLM], aimed directly at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering mechanical engineering] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_design product design] but also fits a wider range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties. It is 100% [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source Open Source] and extremely modular, allowing for very advanced extension and customization.

FreeCAD is based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_CASCADE OpenCasCade], a powerful geometry kernel, features an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Inventor Open Inventor]-compliant 3D scene representation model provided by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin3D Coin 3D] library, and a broad [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language) Python] API. The interface is built with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(framework) Qt]. FreeCAD runs exactly the same way on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux platforms.

[[Image:Right arrow.png]] [[About FreeCAD|Learn more here...]]

== Key features ==

* [[Image:Feature1.jpg|left]] A complete [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_CASCADE Open CASCADE Technology]-based '''geometry kernel''' allowing complex 3D operations on complex shape types, with native support for concepts like brep, nurbs, boolean operations and fillets {{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature6.jpg|left]] A '''modular architecture''' that allow plugins (modules) to add functionality to the core application. Those extensions can be as complex as whole new applications or as simple as [[Scripting|Python scripts]] or self-recorded [[macros]] {{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature3.jpg|left]] A full '''parametric model''' allowing any type of parameter-driven custom objects, that can even be [[Scripted objects|fully programmed in Python]]{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature4.jpg|left]] Complete access from '''Python''' built-in interpreter, macros or external scripts to almost any part of FreeCAD, being [[Topological data scripting|geometry creation and transformation]], the 2D or 3D representation of that geometry ([[scenegraph]]) or even the [[PyQt|FreeCAD interface]] {{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature5.jpg|left]] Import/export to '''standard formats''' such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10303 STEP], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGES IGES], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obj OBJ], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dxf DXF], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svg SVG], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format) STL], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COLLADA DAE], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Foundation_Classes IFC] or [http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~jburkardt/data/off/off.html OFF], in addition to FreeCAD's native [[Fcstd file format]].{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature7.jpg|left]] A [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketcher]] with constraint-solver, allowing to sketch geometry-constrained 2D shapes. The sketcher currently allows you to build several types of constrained geomerty, and use them as a base to build other objects throughout FreeCAD.{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature9.jpg|left]] A [[Robot Workbench|Robot simulation]] module that allows to study robot movements. The robot module already has an extended graphical interface allowing GUI-only workflow.{{clear}}

== In development ==

* [[Image:Feature8.jpg|left]] A [[Drawing Module|Drawing sheets]] module that permit to put 2D views of your 3D models on a sheet. This modules then produces ready-to-export SVG or PDF sheets. The module is still sparse but already features a powerful Python functionality.{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature-raytracing.jpg|left]] A [[Raytracing Module|Rendering]] module that can export 3D objects for rendering with external renderers. Currently only supports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POV-Ray povray], but is expected to be extended to other renderers in the future.{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature-arch.jpg|left]] An [[Arch Module|Architecture]] module that allows [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Information_Modeling BIM]-like workflow, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Foundation_Classes IFC] compatibility. The making of the Arch module is heavily discussed by the community [http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/free-cad/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=821 here].{{clear}}
* [[Image:Feature-assembly.jpg|left]] An [[Assembly project|Assembly]] module that allows to work with multiple shapes, multiple documents, multiple files, multiple relationships...{{clear}}


== Manual ==
== Manual ==
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Check the [[Development roadmap]] for news about what is being planned, the [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mantisbt/free-cad/changelog_page.php Changelog] and [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mantisbt/free-cad/roadmap_page.php Roadmap] mantis pages to see the progresses towards next release, or the [http://www.ohloh.net/p/freecad Project statistics] for even more information about the FreeCAD codebase. All the development communication happens on the [http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/free-cad/ forum], so be sure to visit it if you are interested in participating.
Check the [[Development roadmap]] for news about what is being planned, the [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mantisbt/free-cad/changelog_page.php Changelog] and [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mantisbt/free-cad/roadmap_page.php Roadmap] mantis pages to see the progresses towards next release, or the [http://www.ohloh.net/p/freecad Project statistics] for even more information about the FreeCAD codebase. All the development communication happens on the [http://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/free-cad/ forum], so be sure to visit it if you are interested in participating.


=== Follow FreeCAD anywhere! ===

[[Image:Twitter.png|link=http://www.twitter.com/FreeCADNews]] [[Image:Facebook.png|link=http://www.facebook.com/FreeCAD]] [[Image:Youtube.png|link=http://www.youtube.com/user/FreeCADNews]] [[Image:Googleplus.png|24px|link=http://plus.google.com/u/0/107660967460246172334]]

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Revision as of 16:32, 27 March 2013

This is the documentation wiki of FreeCAD

Hubs

Manual

The FreeCAD manual is a work-in-progress community effort to provide state-of-the-art documentation about using FreeCAD, and is already available in several languages. It still lacks much information, so feel free to join and contribute!

Get involved

How to participate

There is plenty to do inside the FreeCAD project, if you are interested in helping us. There are programming tasks, for C++ or python programmers, but there are also many things you can do even if you cannot code, such as writing documentation, helping newcomers, translating the application and documentation, help packaging the latest release of FreeCAD for your favourite operating system, or simply help other people to discover FreeCAD around you. The help FreeCAD page describes it all with more details.

Source code

FreeCAD can be compiled using cMake or autotools, the git link is git://free-cad.git.sourceforge.net/gitroot/free-cad/free-cad and there are build instructions for Windows, Unix/Linux and MacOSX.

About the development

Check the Development roadmap for news about what is being planned, the Changelog and Roadmap mantis pages to see the progresses towards next release, or the Project statistics for even more information about the FreeCAD codebase. All the development communication happens on the forum, so be sure to visit it if you are interested in participating.


Available translations of this page: Template:Cn Template:Jp Template:Se