Glossary: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(Changed QT for Qt, second letter should not be uppercase.)
(Changed Dimensional constraint to Datum constraint)
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{{defn|defn=Groups objects together without fusing them like a [[#Boolean Operation|boolean union]] would.}}
{{defn|defn=Groups objects together without fusing them like a [[#Boolean Operation|boolean union]] would.}}
{{term|1=Constraint}}
{{term|1=Constraint}}
{{defn|1=A restriction on the geometric relationship between primitives in a [[#Sketch|Sketch]]. Constraints may be Dimensional or Geometrical.}}
{{defn|1=A restriction on the geometric relationship between primitives in a [[#Sketch|Sketch]]. If a constraint has a value, it is referred to as Datum (e.g., a distance constraint has a value - the length of an imaginary line connecting the two points). A constraint that has no value is sometimes referred to as Geometrical.}}
{{term|term=Constructive Solid Geometry|content=[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_solid_geometry Constructive Solid Geometry]}}
{{term|term=Constructive Solid Geometry|content=[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_solid_geometry Constructive Solid Geometry]}}
{{defn|defn=A solid modeling method for creating shapes by using [[#Boolean Operation|boolean operations]] on [[#Primitive|primitives]].}}
{{defn|defn=A solid modeling method for creating shapes by using [[#Boolean Operation|boolean operations]] on [[#Primitive|primitives]].}}

Revision as of 18:42, 23 February 2015

This page is a glossary of common FreeCAD terms and definitions.

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A

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Arc
A portion or segment of a circle.
Arch
A workbench used primarily for modeling buildings and structures. Closely related to the Draft Workbench.
Assembly
1.  A set of parts that have defined positions in relation to each other.
2.  A workbench which aims to facilitate the creation of assemblies. It is currently in development and not yet part of FreeCAD.
Axis
An imaginary line through the origin of the workspace. There are 3 normal axes. They have the classic names of X, Y and Z. X is side to side. Y is up and down. Z is in and out of the page/screen.


B

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Bezier Curve
Bezier Curve
Blueprint
Old term used for drawing, and coined for its original reproduction process.
brep
Native file format for Open CASCADE and shared by a few applications. FreeCAD can save in *.brep format.
B-rep
Stands for boundary representation, which is one of two types of 3D models that FreeCAD supports (the other being mesh).
Boolean Logic
A method of data manipulation by using of the operands: And, Or, Not.
Boolean Operation
A method of manipulating objects by using Boolean Logic. In FreeCAD, the Boolean Operations are: Union (Fuse), Difference (Cut), Intersection, and Section.
BSpline
BSpline


C

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Callout
String of text connected to a line pointing to an object in a drawing.
Chamfer
The cutting off of an edge, at an angle, to get rid of its sharpness; a beveled edge.
Clipping Plane
The clipping plane is used to cut away at the model in the 3D view. It is just a visual aid and does not actually cut the model.
Clone
A copy of an object whereby the copy remains parametric. When the original object is changed the Clone(s) also change to show modifications made to the original object.
Coin
Also called Coin3D. Third-party software library used for 3D representation by FreeCAD.
COLLADA
An interchange file format for mesh models. File extension is *.dae.
Compound
Groups objects together without fusing them like a boolean union would.
Constraint
A restriction on the geometric relationship between primitives in a Sketch. If a constraint has a value, it is referred to as Datum (e.g., a distance constraint has a value - the length of an imaginary line connecting the two points). A constraint that has no value is sometimes referred to as Geometrical.
Constructive Solid Geometry
A solid modeling method for creating shapes by using boolean operations on primitives.
Coordinate
A number which defines the position of an object in space in reference to a coordinate system.
Coplanar
Existing on the same plane.
CSG
Short for Constructive Solid Geometry.
Cut
Applying a boolean difference between shapes.


D

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Difference
<To be added.>
Draft
1.  A FreeCAD Workbench used primarily for 2 dimensional work.
2.  A relief angle on a mold to allow removal of the finished product. See PartDesign Draft.
Drawing
1.  A FreeCAD Workbench used to generate 2D representations of a model, also called drawings.
2.  Describes a representation of geometry through the use of two-dimensional views. Also called plan.


E

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Edge
1.  A segment joining two vertices. This segment can be a straight line or a curve.
2.  The joining line between two faces. It can be curved or straight.
Extrude
A general term for extending a 2D object into 3D along 1 direction. See also Pad.


F

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Face
A 2 dimensional topological construct. For example, a cube has 6 Faces.
Facet
<To be added.>
FC
Short for FreeCAD.
FCStd
FreeCAD native file format. File extension *.fcstd, *.FCStd
Feature
A step in a 3d part's evolution in the Part Design Workbench workflow. Examples are Pad, Pocket, Groove, Fillet, etc.
Fillet
A rounded relief or cut at an edge added for a finished appearance and to break sharp edges. See Part Fillet and PartDesign Fillet.
Fork
See Forked Model.
Forked Model
A modeling method, usually accidental and incorrect in FreeCAD, that creates two or more versions of a model from a previous item. (Not to be confused with intentional operations like Array, Clone, PolarPattern, etc.)
Frenet
When Sweeping a profile along a 3D path, the Frenet parameter controls the orientation of the profile as it travels along the path. If Frenet is true, the profiles are oriented using the Frenet Frame (tangent,binormal,normal) of the path. If Frenet is false the profile's rotation is not restricted. [1]
FreeType
A freely available software library used to extract information from font definition files.
Frustum
The portion of a solid that lies between two parallel planes cutting it. Used in computer graphics to describe the three-dimensional region which is visible on the screen, the "viewing frustum"
Fuse
Term commonly used in FreeCAD to refer to a boolean union of shapes.


G

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Geometric modeling kernel
Also called CAD kernel. A set of complex software libraries responsible for the creation of 3D shapes. All operations on objects (extrude, boolean operations, chamfer, fillet) rely on the geometric modeling kernel.
Git
Distributed revision control system used by FreeCAD to host and manage its code base.
Group
<To be added.>
GUI
Graphical User Interface. Allows users to interact with FreeCAD through graphical icons and the mouse pointer.


H

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Half Space
When a plane completely divides a 3D Euclidian space, the plane forms two half spaces.


I

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IGES
A file format for the exchange of product data models. Files extensions are *.iges, *.igs. See also STEP.
Intersection
That portion of two or more geometric entities that is common to all. For example, the intersection of two lines is a point.


J

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JT
A proprietary 3D data format developed by Siemens PLM Software. FreeCAD has no support for JT at this time.


K

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KML
Keyhole Markup Language - an XML-based geospatial 3D data definition file used by Google Earth. FreeCAD has no support for KML at this time.


L

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Line
A straight path between two points.
Lock
<To be added.>
Loft
OA topological form created by linking consequetive profiles with a surface. Similar to the process used to make fabric covered aeroplanes or boats. Also the FreeCAD function for creating such a form.


M

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Macro
A saved sequence of FreeCAD instructions, often written by end users.
Mantis
Bug tracking system used by the FreeCAD project.
Mesh
Polygon mesh
Model
Also called 3D model. Computer representation of a three-dimensional part or assembly.
MultiTransform
<To be added.>


N

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Name
An unique identifer for a FreeCAD document object. Once assigned by the program, the Name can not be easily changed. Contrast with Label.
Null Shape
A Shape property that has not been initialized by a program/macro. Usually an error condition.


O

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OCE
Open CASCADE Community Edition. It provides patches, improvements and experiments contributed by users over the official Open CASCADE library. FreeCAD is known to work on either OCC or OCE.
Open CASCADE
The geometric modeling kernel (software library) underlying FreeCAD. Also called OCC or OCCT. See also OCE.
OpenSCAD
<To be added.>
Origin
The center of the coordinate system. Everything goes out from here in either the positive or negative directions. As is our view of the universe with Earth being the “origin”.
Orthographic
Orthographic projection and Multiview orthographic projection


P

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Pad
An extension of a Sketch in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the Sketch. See also Extrude.
Part
1.  A FreeCAD Workbench primarily used for a Constructive Solid Geometry workflow.
2.  A unibody solid. The lowest level component in an assembly.
Perspective
projection Perspective projection
Pivy
A software library that allows Python to use Coin.
Placement
<To be added.>
Planar
<To be added.>
Plane
<To be added.>
Plot
<To be added.>
Pocket
A Feature that removes material from a solid based on a Sketch.
Point
An item used to reference a single area in the 3D workspace. A “point” is dimensionless. It has a dimension on the screen, usually represented by a “dot” only so we can see where it is. See also Vertex.
Polygon mesh
See [2]
Polyline
<To be added.>
POV-Ray
POV-Ray
Primitive
A basic shape used in the construction of models. Some 2D primitives are: point, line, polygon, circle, ellipse, spiral, helix. 3D primitives are: box, cylinder, cone, torus, sphere, ellipsoid, prism.
PySide
A freely available software library that allows Python to use QT.
Python
A programming language used in the development of FreeCAD as well as in user-written macros or scripts.


Q

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Qt
A cross-platform application and user interface framework. Also Qt4.


R

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Raytracing
Ray tracing
Revolve
<To be added.>
Robot
Industrial robot
Rotate
<To be added.>


S

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Section
Cross section (geometry)
Self Intersection
A condition where a curve crosses over itself (ex.'8','&'). This confuses geometric kernel algorithms and generally produces an error condition.
Shape
<To be added.>
Sketch
A constrained 2D depiction of an object fixed to a plane or a Face. In FreeCAD a Sketch is always a 2-dimensional object somewhere in the 3D space.
Sketcher
A workbench used to create 2D geometry by use of constraints.
Sketcher Solver
The internal FreeCAD mechanism that calculates interdependencies and effects of adding, deleting, and modifying geometry and associated constraints in each Sketch. Sketcher Solver also calculates the arrangement of all geometry in each Sketch so it can be displayed correctly.
Solver
See Sketcher Solver
Stable
A nickname for the last general release version of the FreeCAD software. This is typically the version available from sources other than the FreeCAD project. Compare with Unstable.
STL
STereoLithography, also known as Standard Tessellation Language. A mesh file format defining only the surface of a 3D object. File extensions is *.stl
STEP
An ISO standard (ISO 10303) for the exchange of 3D data and product manufacturing information. It replaces IGES. File extensions are *.step, *.stp.
SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics. A vector graphics file format.
Sweep
Solid modeling


T

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Task panel
<To be added.>
Thickness
1.  A measure of how thick a shape is.
2.  A Part Workbench tool to hollow out a solid and leave a defined uniform thickness.
Toggle
<To be added.>
Torus
A primitive shape.
Tracker
Short for bug tracker, the online software application used to keep track of reported bugs or feature requests. See also Mantis.


U

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Union
<To be added.>
Unstable
A nickname for a very recent version of the FreeCAD software. This version will contain many changes recently implemented by the developers. It does not typically fail or produce wrong results, but it has not completed testing.
Upgrade
<To be added.>


V

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Vector
<To be added.>
Vertex
A lone point in space, or the corner of a shape where edges meet.


W

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WB
Short for workbench
Wire
<To be added.>
Workbench
Also called module, the workbench groups a set of tools dedicated for a specific task.


X

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X
Commonly refers to the X axis.


Y

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Y
Commonly refers to the Y axis.


Z

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Z
Commonly refers to the Z axis.