Draft Workbench: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(→‎Draft Snap toolbar: Complete information)
(Marked this version for translation)
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 11: Line 11:
<!--T:38-->
<!--T:38-->
[[Image:Workbench_Draft.svg|thumb|128px|Draft workbench icon]]
[[Image:Workbench_Draft.svg|thumb|128px|Draft workbench icon]]

</translate>
{{TOCright}}
{{TOCright}}
<translate>

== Introduction == <!--T:68-->


== Introduction == <!--T:1-->
<!--T:1-->
The Draft Workbench allows you to draw simple 2D objects, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. It also provides tools to define a working plane, a grid, and a snapping system to precisely control the position of your geometry.
The [[File:Workbench_Draft.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Module|Draft Workbench]] allows you to draw simple 2D objects, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. It also provides tools to define a working plane, a grid, and a snapping system to precisely control the position of your geometry.


<!--T:29-->
<!--T:29-->
The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar to Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the [[Part Workbench|Part]] and [[Arch Workbench|Arch Workbench]]es. Conversion of Draft objects to [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketches]] is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]] for the creation of solid bodies.
The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar as is done with Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the [[File:Workbench_Part.svg|32px]] [[Part_Workbench|Part]] and [[File:Workbench_Arch.svg|32px]] [[Arch_Workbench|Arch Workbenches]]. Conversion of Draft objects to [[File:Workbench_Sketcher.svg|32px]] [[Sketcher_Workbench|Sketches]] is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the [[File:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|32px]] [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]] for the creation of solid bodies.


<!--T:30-->
<!--T:30-->
FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and [[DXF|DXF]] files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibreCAD LibreCAD], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QCad QCad], TurboCad, and others.
FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and [[DXF|DXF]] files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibreCAD LibreCAD], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QCad QCad], or others.


</translate>
</translate>
Line 76: Line 81:
* [[Image:Draft_Clone.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Clone|Clone]]: clones the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Clone.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Clone|Clone]]: clones the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Array.svg|32px]] Array tools.
* [[Image:Draft_Array.svg|32px]] Array tools.
** [[Image:Draft_OrthoArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_OrthoArray|OrthoArray]]: creates an orthogonal array from the selected object. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[Image:Draft_OrthoArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_OrthoArray|Ortho Array]]: creates an orthogonal array from the selected object. It can also create [[App_Link|App Link]] copies. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[File:Draft_PolarArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PolarArray|Polar Array]]: creates an array in a polar pattern, that is, sweeping an angle. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[File:Draft_PolarArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PolarArray|Polar Array]]: creates an array in a polar pattern, that is, sweeping an angle. It can also create [[App_Link|App Link]] copies. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular Array]]: creates an array in a circular pattern, that is, starting from a center and moving outwards radially. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular Array]]: creates an array in a circular pattern, that is, starting from a center and moving outwards radially. It can also create [[App_Link|App Link]] copies. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies along a path.
** [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies along a path.
** [[Image:Draft_PathLinkArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathLinkArray|Path LinkArray]]: creates an array of [[Std_LinkMake|App::Link]] elements by placing the copies along a path. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[Image:Draft_PathLinkArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathLinkArray|Path LinkArray]]: like [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path Array]], but creates [[App_Link|App Links]] instead of regular copies. {{Version|0.19}}
** [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies at certain points. {{version|0.18}}
** [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies at certain points. {{version|0.18}}
** [[File:Draft_PointLinkArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointLinkArray|Point LinkArray]]: like [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point Array]], but creates [[App_Link|App Links]] instead of regular copies. {{Version|0.19}}


<!--T:53-->
<!--T:53-->
Line 114: Line 120:
* [[Image:Draft_Array.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Array|Array]]: creates a polar or rectangular array from selected objects. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_Array.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Array|Array]]: creates a polar or rectangular array from selected objects. {{Obsolete|0.19}}


== Draft Tray toolbar ==
== Draft Tray toolbar == <!--T:57-->


<!--T:58-->
The Draft tray toolbar appears when the workbench is started, and allows selecting the working plane, together with some visual properties like the line color, shape color, text size, line width, and automatic group.
The Draft tray toolbar appears when the workbench is started, and allows selecting the working plane, together with some visual properties like the line color, shape color, text size, line width, and automatic group.


<!--T:59-->
* [[Image:Draft_SelectPlane.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectPlane|Set working plane]]: sets a working plane from a standard view or a selected face.
* [[Image:Draft_SelectPlane.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectPlane|Set working plane]]: sets a working plane from a standard view or a selected face.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Toggle construction mode]]: toggles the Draft construction mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Toggle construction mode]]: toggles the Draft construction mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_AutoGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft AutoGroup|AutoGroup]]: automatically place new objects in a given [[Std Group|Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup|Draft VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_AutoGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft AutoGroup|AutoGroup]]: automatically place new objects in a given [[File:Std_Group.svg|32px]] [[Std_Group|Std Group]], [[File:Draft_Layer.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Layer|Draft Layer]], or one of the group-like objects of the [[Arch_Workbench|Arch Workbench]], like [[File:Arch_BuildingPart.svg|32px]] [[Arch_BuildingPart|Arch BuildingPart]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_ApplyStyle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Apply|Apply style]]: applies the current style and color to selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_ApplyStyle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Apply|Apply style]]: applies the current style and color to selected objects.


== Draft Snap toolbar ==
== Draft Snap toolbar == <!--T:60-->


<!--T:61-->
The [[Draft_Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar allows selecting the currently snapping mode. Its button keep depressed when a mode is active.
The [[Draft_Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar allows selecting the currently snapping mode. Its button keep depressed when a mode is active.


<!--T:62-->
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleSnap.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleSnap|Toggle snap]]: toggles [[Draft Snap|object snapping]] globally on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleSnap.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleSnap|Toggle snap]]: toggles [[Draft Snap|object snapping]] globally on or off.
* [[Image:Snap_Endpoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft Endpoint|Endpoint]]: snaps to the endpoints of line, arc and spline segments.
* [[Image:Snap_Endpoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft Endpoint|Endpoint]]: snaps to the endpoints of line, arc and spline segments.
Line 146: Line 156:
== Utility tools == <!--T:22-->
== Utility tools == <!--T:22-->


<!--T:63-->
* [[Image:Draft_Layer.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Layer|Layer]]: creates a Layer in the current document, to which objects can be added to control object visibility and color. It replaces [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_Layer.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Layer|Layer]]: creates a Layer in the current document, to which objects can be added to control object visibility and color. It replaces [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_VisGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]: creates a VisGroup in the current document. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_SetWorkingPlaneProxy.svg|32px]] [[Draft SetWorkingPlaneProxy|Working Plane Proxy]]: create a proxy object to store the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Working Plane]] position. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_SetWorkingPlaneProxy.svg|32px]] [[Draft SetWorkingPlaneProxy|Working Plane Proxy]]: create a proxy object to store the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Working Plane]] position. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleDisplayMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleDisplayMode|Toggle display mode]]: switches the display mode of selected objects between "Flat Lines" and "Wireframe".
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleDisplayMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleDisplayMode|Toggle display mode]]: switches the display mode of selected objects between "Flat Lines" and "Wireframe".
Line 155: Line 165:
* [[Image:Draft_Heal.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Heal|Heal]]: heals problematic Draft objects found in very old files.
* [[Image:Draft_Heal.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Heal|Heal]]: heals problematic Draft objects found in very old files.


== Utility menu ==
== Utility menu == <!--T:64-->


<!--T:23-->
<!--T:23-->
Line 163: Line 173:
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleContinueMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleContinueMode|Toggle continue mode]]: toggles the Draft continue mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleContinueMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleContinueMode|Toggle continue mode]]: toggles the Draft continue mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ShowSnapBar.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShowSnapBar|Show snap bar]]: shows or hides the [[Draft Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar.
* [[Image:Draft_ShowSnapBar.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShowSnapBar|Show snap bar]]: shows or hides the [[Draft Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleGrid.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Toggle grid]]: toggles the visibility of the grid on or off.


=== Obsolete ===
=== Obsolete === <!--T:65-->


<!--T:66-->
These tools were removed from the interface in v0.19 because they no longer had any purpose.
These tools were removed from the interface in v0.19 because they no longer had any purpose.


<!--T:67-->
* [[Image:Draft_VisGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]: creates a VisGroup in the current document. This was replaced by [[Image:Draft_Layer.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Layer|Layer]]. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_FinishLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_FinishLine|Finish line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], without closing it. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_FinishLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_FinishLine|Finish line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], without closing it. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_CloseLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CloseLine|Close line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], and closes it. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_CloseLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CloseLine|Close line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], and closes it. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
Line 177: Line 189:
<!--T:28-->
<!--T:28-->
* [[Image:Preferences-draft.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Preferences|Preferences]]: general preferences for the working plane and the drawing tools.
* [[Image:Preferences-draft.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Preferences|Preferences]]: general preferences for the working plane and the drawing tools.
* [[Image:Preferences-import-export.svg|32px]] [[Import_Export_Preference|Import-Export Preferences]]: preferences available for importing from and exporting to different file formats.
* [[Image:Preferences-import-export.svg|32px]] [[Import_Export_Preferences|Import Export Preferences]]: preferences available for importing from and exporting to different file formats.


== File formats == <!--T:3-->
== File formats == <!--T:3-->

Revision as of 11:26, 24 August 2020

Draft workbench icon

Introduction

The Draft Workbench allows you to draw simple 2D objects, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. It also provides tools to define a working plane, a grid, and a snapping system to precisely control the position of your geometry.

The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar as is done with Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the Part and Arch Workbenches. Conversion of Draft objects to Sketches is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the PartDesign Workbench for the creation of solid bodies.

FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and DXF files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as LibreCAD, QCad, or others.

Draft Workbench Example

Drawing objects

These are tools for creating objects.

  • Line: draws a line segment between two points.
  • Polyline: draws a line made of multiple line segments (polyline).
  • Fillet: draws a fillet (rounded corner) or a chamfer (straight line) between two simple Lines. introduced in version 0.19
  • Arc: draws an arc segment from center, radius, start angle and end angle.
  • Arc 3Points: draws a circular arc segment from three points that are located in the circumference. introduced in version 0.19
  • Circle: draws a circle from center and radius.
  • Ellipse: draws an ellipse from two corner points.
  • Rectangle: draws a rectangle from two corner points.
  • Polygon: draws a regular polygon from center, radius, and number of sides.
  • BSpline: draws a B-Spline from a series of points.
  • Cubic Bezier Curve: draws a Bezier curve of third degree by dragging two points. introduced in version 0.19
  • Bezier Curve: draws a Bezier curve from a series of points.
  • Point: inserts a point object.
  • Facebinder: creates a new object from selected faces on existing objects.
  • ShapeString: inserts a compound shape representing a text string at a given point.

Annotation objects

Modifying objects

These are tools for modifying existing objects. They work on selected objects, but if no object is selected, you will be invited to select one.

Many operation tools (move, rotate, array, etc.) also work on solid objects (Part, PartDesign, Arch, etc.).

  • Shape 2D View: creates a 2D object which is a flattened 2D view of a 3D object.

Obsolete

This command is considered obsolete because the Drawing Workbench is obsolete. However, the command itself is still available.

These commands have been removed from the interface.

Draft Tray toolbar

The Draft tray toolbar appears when the workbench is started, and allows selecting the working plane, together with some visual properties like the line color, shape color, text size, line width, and automatic group.

Draft Snap toolbar

The Draft Snap toolbar allows selecting the currently snapping mode. Its button keep depressed when a mode is active.

Utility tools

Utility menu

Additional tools available from the menu Draft → Utilities, or via the right-click context menu, depending on the selected object.

Obsolete

These tools were removed from the interface in v0.19 because they no longer had any purpose.

Preferences

  • Preferences: general preferences for the working plane and the drawing tools.
  • Import Export Preferences: preferences available for importing from and exporting to different file formats.

File formats

These are functions for opening, importing or exporting other file formats. Opening will open a new document with the contents of the file, while importing will append the contents of the file to the current document. Export will save the selected objects to a file. If nothing is selected, all objects will be exported. Be aware that the purpose of the Draft Module is to work with 2D objects, so those import routines focus only on 2D objects, and although DXF and OCA formats also support object definitions in 3D space (objects are not necessarily flat), they will not import volumetric objects such as meshes, 3D surfaces, etc., but rather lines, circles, texts or flat shapes. Currently supported file formats are: The Draft module provides FreeCAD with importers and exporters for the following file formats:

Install importers

Additional features

  • Coordinates: enter coordinates instead of clicking on the 3D view to define a new point.
  • Constraining: limit the pointer to horizontal or vertical movements relative to a previous point.
  • Snapping: place new points on special places on existing objects or on the grid.
  • Copy Mode: All modification tools can either modify the selected objects or create a modified copy of them. Pressing and holding Alt while the object is being modified, e.g. moved or rotated, creates a copy when the key is released.
  • Construction Mode: Allows you to create geometries separate from the rest by simply switching them on and off.
  • Working plane: allows you to select a surface on which to build your shapes.

Unit tests

See also: Test Workbench.

To run the unit tests of the workbench execute the following from the operating system terminal.

freecad -t TestDraft

Scripting

The Draft tools can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the Draft API.

The workbench includes a module to create samples of all objects in a new document. introduced in version 0.19

Use this to test that all objects are produced correctly.

import drafttests.draft_test_objects as dto
doc = dto.create_test_file()

Inspecting the code of this module is useful to understand how to use the programming interface.

$INSTALLDIR/Mod/Draft/drafttests/draft_test_objects.py

Where $INSTALLDIR is the toplevel directory where the software was installed; for example, in Linux it may be /usr/share/freecad.

Test objects for the Draft Workbench.

Tutorials