TechDraw Workbench: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(Tutorial section for TechDraw tutorials)
(Second level headings instead of thrid level; removed workarounds as it's empty.)
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== Pages == <!--T:2-->

===Pages=== <!--T:2-->


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* [[File:TechDraw_New_Pick.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_New_Pick|New Pick]]: Adds a new Page using a selected [[TechDraw_Templates|Template]].
* [[File:TechDraw_New_Pick.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_New_Pick|New Pick]]: Adds a new Page using a selected [[TechDraw_Templates|Template]].


===Views=== <!--T:21-->
== Views == <!--T:21-->


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* [[File:techdraw-spreadsheet.svg|32px]] [[TechDraw_Spreadsheet|Spreadsheet]]: Inserts a view of a selected [[Spreadsheet_Workbench|spreadsheet]] into a drawing.
* [[File:techdraw-spreadsheet.svg|32px]] [[TechDraw_Spreadsheet|Spreadsheet]]: Inserts a view of a selected [[Spreadsheet_Workbench|spreadsheet]] into a drawing.


===Clips=== <!--T:31-->
== Clips == <!--T:31-->


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* [[File:techdraw-clipminus.svg|32px]] [[TechDraw_ClipMinus|ClipMinus]]: Removes a View from a clip group.
* [[File:techdraw-clipminus.svg|32px]] [[TechDraw_ClipMinus|ClipMinus]]: Removes a View from a clip group.


===Dimensions=== <!--T:36-->
== Dimensions == <!--T:36-->


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* [[File:Dimension_Link.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_Dimension_Link|New Links]]: Links 1 or more Dimensions to 3D geometry.
* [[File:Dimension_Link.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_Dimension_Link|New Links]]: Links 1 or more Dimensions to 3D geometry.


===Import/Export=== <!--T:45-->
== Import/Export == <!--T:45-->


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* [[File:techdraw-toggleframe.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_Toggle|Toggle Frames]]: Turns View frames and labels on or off in a Page.
* [[File:techdraw-toggleframe.png|32px]] [[TechDraw_Toggle|Toggle Frames]]: Turns View frames and labels on or off in a Page.


===Additional features=== <!--T:13-->
== Additional features == <!--T:13-->


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* [[TechDraw_Templates|Templates]]: the default templates defined for the Pages.
* [[TechDraw_Templates|Templates]]: the default templates defined for the Pages.


===Preference settings=== <!--T:3-->
== Preferences == <!--T:3-->
The TechDraw module has a [[TechDraw Preferences|preferences]] screen to adjust default values.
The TechDraw module has a [[TechDraw Preferences|preferences]] screen to adjust default values.


===Scripting=== <!--T:5-->
== Scripting == <!--T:5-->
The TechDraw Workbench features a [[Python]] API that can be used in scripts and [[macros]].
The TechDraw Workbench features a [[Python]] API that can be used in scripts and [[macros]].
* [[TechDraw API]]
* [[TechDraw API]]
* [[TechDrawGui API]]
* [[TechDrawGui API]]


===Limitations=== <!--T:7-->
== Limitations == <!--T:7-->
* TechDraw drawings and [[Python]] API are not interchangeable with the [[Drawing Module]]. It is possible to convert Drawing Pages to TechDraw Pages using Python ({{incode|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.
* TechDraw drawings and [[Python]] API are not interchangeable with the [[Drawing Module]]. It is possible to convert Drawing Pages to TechDraw Pages using Python ({{incode|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. See forum discussion [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24981&p=196271#p196271 here].
* There are minor differences in specifying editable texts in [[SVG]] templates compared to the Drawing module. See forum discussion [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24981&p=196271#p196271 here].
* Do not Cut/Copy/Paste TechDraw objects. This does not generally work out well.
* Do not Cut/Copy/Paste TechDraw objects. This does not generally work out well.

===Workarounds=== <!--T:12-->
* None required at the moment.


== Tutorials ==
== Tutorials ==

Revision as of 21:06, 24 November 2018

FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling tool. There are times, however, when we must produce 2D drawings for documentation, manufacturing instructions, contracts, permits, etc. The Technical Drawing workbench (TechDraw) is used to produce basic technical drawings based on the 3D model. 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.

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 module may be removed in future releases. To keep up with TechDraw plans and developments, visit the TechDraw Roadmap.

Note: if your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as LibreCad, QCad, TurboCad, and others.

Pages

These are tools for creating Pages.

Views

These are tools for creating Views.

Clips

These are tools to create and manage clipped views.

Dimensions

These are tools for working with Dimensions. Linear dimensions can be based on two points, one line or two lines.

Import/Export

These are tools for exporting Pages to other applications.

Decoration

These are tools for changing the appearance of Pages and Views.

Additional features

  • Hatching: TechDraw supports a number of hatching techniques.
  • Line Groups: default weights can be assigned to various line types.
  • Templates: the default templates defined for the Pages.

Preferences

The TechDraw module has a preferences screen to adjust default values.

Scripting

The TechDraw Workbench features a Python API that can be used in scripts and macros.

Limitations

  • TechDraw drawings and Python API are not interchangeable with the Drawing Module. It is possible to convert Drawing Pages to TechDraw Pages using Python (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. See forum discussion here.
  • Do not Cut/Copy/Paste TechDraw objects. This does not generally work out well.

Tutorials

Start Workbench
Test Framework Workbench