Migrating to FreeCAD from SolidWorks: Difference between revisions

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{{FYI}}
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==Overview==
== Overview ==


The intention of this page is to serve as a guide for users that are accustomed to the Solidworks CAD/CAM workflow and want to try, use, or perhaps migrate to FreeCAD.
The intention of this page is to serve as a guide for users that are accustomed to the SolidWorks CAD/CAM workflow and want to migrate to FreeCAD.


==History==
== History ==


Understanding a little of the history of FreeCAD potentially help users comprehend and orient better to it.
Understanding a little of the history of FreeCAD may help users comprehend it better:
* FreeCAD was initially designed to behave parametrically using the [[Constructive solid geometry]] method (see also [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|24px]] [[Part_Workbench|Part Workbench]]).
* FreeCAD was initially designed to behave parametrically using the [[Constructive_solid_geometry|Constructive solid geometry]] method (see [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|24px]] [[Part_Workbench|Part Workbench]]).
* Later it incorporated the [[feature editing]] method within the [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|24px]] [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]].
* Later it incorporated the [[Feature_editing|feature editing]] method with the [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|24px]] [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]].
* Solidworks utilizes the latter approach, [[feature editing]].
* SolidWorks use the latter approach, [[Feature_editing|feature editing]].


==Tips==
== Tips ==


The Part Design Workbench has many equivalent functions to SolidWorks, though may be called by different names. The image below identifies equivalent functions and their names on each platform, as well as noting similar functions and functions that are unique to each platform:
The Part Design Workbench has many equivalent functions to SolidWorks. The image below identifies equivalent functions and their names on each platform, as well as functions that are unique to each platform:
[[File:Features and Part Design.png|center|thumb|600px|A comparison between FreeCAD and SW. Click this image for higher resolution. Credit goes to ...]]
[[File:Features and Part Design.png|600px]]
{{Caption|A comparison between FreeCAD and SolidWorks. Click the image for a higher resolution.}}


== Terminology ==
== Terminology ==
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* '''Extrude''' in FreeCAD terms is referred to as Padding (see {{Button|[[Image:PartDesign_Pad.svg|16px|link=PartDesign_Pad]] [[PartDesign_Pad|Pad]]}})
* '''Extrude''' in FreeCAD terms is referred to as Padding (see {{Button|[[Image:PartDesign_Pad.svg|16px|link=PartDesign_Pad]] [[PartDesign_Pad|Pad]]}})
* '''Collinear relation''' in FreeCAD is called {{Button|[[Image:Sketcher_ConstrainTangent.svg|16px|link=Sketcher_ConstrainTangent]] [[Sketcher_ConstrainTangent|Tangent constraint]]}}
* '''Collinear relation''' in FreeCAD is called {{Button|[[Image:Sketcher_ConstrainTangent.svg|16px|link=Sketcher_ConstrainTangent]] [[Sketcher_ConstrainTangent|Tangent constraint]]}}
* ...
* {{Button|[[Image:Sketcher_ConstrainPointOnObject.svg|16px|link=Sketcher_ConstrainPointOnObject]] [[Sketcher_ConstrainPointOnObject|Constrain Point on Object]]}}


==Tutorials==
== Tutorials ==


List of helpful tutorials
List of helpful tutorials


===Joko Engineeringhelp===
=== Joko Engineeringhelp ===


There are many video tutorials online. One of the most popular (at the time this was written) is by a Youtuber calling himself [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-CubOaooNwC-3RBKUoAOQQ/videos '''Joko Engineeringhelp'''] (he also participates on the FreeCAD Forum as Celica_Supra ([https://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=22176 profile link]). One of his tutorials is meant specifically for former SolidWorks users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXnulyKPNI
There are many video tutorials online. One of the most popular (at the time this was written) is by a Youtuber calling himself [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-CubOaooNwC-3RBKUoAOQQ/videos '''Joko Engineeringhelp'''] (he also participates on the FreeCAD Forum as Celica_Supra ([https://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=22176 profile link]). One of his tutorials is meant specifically for former SolidWorks users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXnulyKPNI
Some of the other videos are comparisons of SolidWorks and FreeCAD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX8-3rMCbRw
Some of the other videos are comparisons of SolidWorks and FreeCAD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX8-3rMCbRw


==Related==
== Related ==


===Forum Threads===
=== Forum Threads ===


* [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=42139&p=366957#p357540 Anyone willing to collaborate on writing guides for users coming from other CAD/CAM solutions to FreeCAD?]
* [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=42139&p=366957#p357540 Anyone willing to collaborate on writing guides for users coming from other CAD/CAM solutions to FreeCAD?]

Revision as of 10:24, 10 June 2022

This documentation is not finished. Please help and contribute documentation.

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Template:FYI

Overview

The intention of this page is to serve as a guide for users that are accustomed to the SolidWorks CAD/CAM workflow and want to migrate to FreeCAD.

History

Understanding a little of the history of FreeCAD may help users comprehend it better:

Tips

The Part Design Workbench has many equivalent functions to SolidWorks. The image below identifies equivalent functions and their names on each platform, as well as functions that are unique to each platform:

A comparison between FreeCAD and SolidWorks. Click the image for a higher resolution.

Terminology

  • Extrude in FreeCAD terms is referred to as Padding (see Pad)
  • Collinear relation in FreeCAD is called Tangent constraint
  • ...

Tutorials

List of helpful tutorials

Joko Engineeringhelp

There are many video tutorials online. One of the most popular (at the time this was written) is by a Youtuber calling himself Joko Engineeringhelp (he also participates on the FreeCAD Forum as Celica_Supra (profile link). One of his tutorials is meant specifically for former SolidWorks users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXnulyKPNI Some of the other videos are comparisons of SolidWorks and FreeCAD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX8-3rMCbRw

Related

Forum Threads