TechDraw Workbench/tr

Surface Workbench

Web Workbench

Index

TechDraw workbench icon

Introduction

The TechDraw Workbench is used to produce basic technical drawings from 3D models created with another workbench such as Part, PartDesign, or Arch, or imported from other applications. 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. The resulting drawings can be used for things like documentation, manufacturing instructions, contracts, permits, etc.

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.

If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and DXF files, and you don't need 3D modelling, FreeCAD may not be the right choice for you. You may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting instead, such as LibreCAD or QCad.

Antetler

These are tools for creating Page objects.

• Insert Default Page: adds a new page using the default template.

• Insert Page using Template: adds a new page using a selected template.

• Redraw Page: forces an update of the selected page.

• Print All Pages: prints all pages in a document. introduced in version 0.21

Views

These are tools for creating View objects.

• Insert View: adds a 2D projection view of an object.

• Insert BrokenView: adds a broken view of one or more objects. introduced in version 0.22

• Insert Active View: inserts a view of the active 3D view.

• Insert Projection Group: invokes a dialog to create multiple views of an object from different directions.

• Insert Section Views:

• Insert Simple Section View: inserts a cross-section view of an existing view.

• Insert Complex Section View: inserts a cross-section view of an existing view based on a profile. introduced in version 0.21

• Insert Detail View: inserts a detail view of a portion of an existing view.

• Insert Draft Workbench Object: inserts a view of a Draft Workbench object.

• Insert Arch Workbench Object: inserts a view of an Arch Workbench Section Plane object.

• Insert Spreadsheet View: inserts a view of a Spreadsheet Workbench sheet.

• Insert Clip Group: inserts a clip group.

• Share View: shares a view between multiple pages. introduced in version 0.20

• Project Shape: creates projections of shapes in the 3D view. introduced in version 0.20

Stacking

These are tools for changing the stacking order which controls the apparent depth of views on a page.

• Adjust Stacking Order:

• Move view to top of stack: moves views to the top of the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21

• Move view to bottom of stack: moves views to the bottom of the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21

• Move view up one level: moves views up one level in the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21

• Move view down one level: moves views down one level in the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21

Decorations

These are tools to decorate pages or views:

• Hatch Face using Image File: applies a hatch pattern from a file to a face.

• Apply Geometric Hatch to Face: applies a hatch pattern to a face using an Autodesk PAT specification.

• Insert SVG Symbol: inserts a symbol from a SVG file into a page.

• Insert Bitmap Image: inserts a PNG or JPG bitmap image into a page.

• Turn View Frames On/Off: turns on/off frames and labels surrounding a view.

Dimensions

These are tools for creating and working with Dimension objects.

Linear dimensions can be based on two points, on one line, or on two lines.

• Insert Length Dimension: adds a length dimension.

• Insert Horizontal Dimension: adds a horizontal length dimension.

• Insert Vertical Dimension: adds a vertical length dimension.

• Insert Radius Dimension: adds a radius dimension to a circle or circular arc.

• Insert Diameter Dimension: adds a diameter dimension to a circle or a circular arc.

• Insert Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension between two straight edges.

• Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension using three vertices.

• Insert Extent Dimensions:

• Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension: adds a horizontal extent dimension.

• Insert Vertical Extent Dimension: adds a vertical extent dimension.

• Link Dimension to 3D Geometry: links an existing dimension to the 3D geometry.

• Insert Balloon Annotation: adds a "balloon" annotation to a page.

• Insert Axonometric Length Dimension: adds an axonometric length dimension. introduced in version 0.21

• Insert Landmark Dimension - EXPERIMENTAL: adds a landmark distance dimension.

• Dimension Repair: can adjust the 2D or 3D geometry references of a dimension. introduced in version 0.21

Annotations

The annotation tools are for "marking up" a drawing with additional information.

• Insert Annotation: adds a plain text block as annotation.

• Add Leaderline to View: adds a leaderline to a view.

• Insert Rich Text Annotation: adds an rich text block as annotation to a leaderline or a view.

• Add Cosmetic Vertices:

• Add Cosmetic Vertex: adds a Vertex which is not part of the source geometry.

• Add Midpoint Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at midpoints of selected edges.

• Add Quadrant Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at quarter points of selected (circular) edges.

• Add Centerlines:

• Add Centerline to Faces: adds a centerline to selected face(s).

• Add Centerline between 2 Lines: adds a centerline between 2 lines.

• Add Centerline between 2 Points: adds a centerline between 2 points.

• Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points: adds a cosmetic line connecting 2 vertices.

• Add Cosmetic Circle: adds a cosmetic circle. introduced in version 0.22

• Change Appearance of Lines: changes the appearance of selected line(s).

• Show/Hide Invisible Edges: shows/hides invisible lines/edges in a view.

• Add Welding Information to Leader: adds welding specifications to an existing leaderline.

• Add Surface Finish Symbol: adds a surface finish symbol to a page. introduced in version 0.21

• Add Hole/Shaft Fit: adds hole or shaft tolerances using ISO 286 to a dimension. introduced in version 0.21

Extensions

These are tools to improve your TechDraw drawings.

Attributes and modifications

• Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance: selects the attributes (style, width and color) for new cosmetic lines and centerlines, and specifies the cascade spacing and delta distance. introduced in version 0.20

• Change Line Attributes: changes the attributes (style, width and color) of cosmetic lines and centerlines. introduced in version 0.20

• Change Length of Cosmetic Lines or Centerlines:

• Extend Line: extends a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends. introduced in version 0.20

• Shorten Line: shortens a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends. introduced in version 0.20

• Lock/Unlock View: locks or unlocks the position of a view. introduced in version 0.20

• Position Section View: orthogonally aligns a section view with its source view. introduced in version 0.20

• Align Dimensions:

• Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions: aligns horizontal dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20

• Position Vertical Chain Dimensions: aligns vertical dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20

• Position Oblique Chain Dimensions: aligns oblique dimensions to create a chain dimension. introduced in version 0.20

• Evenly Space Dimensions:

• Cascade Horizontal Dimensions: evenly spaces horizontal dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Cascade Vertical Dimensions: evenly spaces vertical dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Cascade Oblique Dimensions: evenly spaces oblique dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Calculate the area of selected faces: calculates the area of selected faces and inserts an area annotation. introduced in version 0.20

• Calculate the arc length of selected edges: calculates the arc length of selected edges and inserts an arc length annotation. introduced in version 0.22

• Customize format label: customizes the formatting of a balloon text or dimension text. GD&T symbols and other special character can be added. introduced in version 0.20

Centerlines and threading

• Add Centerlines:

• Add Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to circles and arcs. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Bolt Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to a circular pattern of circles. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Threads:

• Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a hole. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of holes. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a bolt/screw/rod. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of bolts/screws/rods. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Vertexes:

• Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es): adds cosmetic vertex(es) at the intersection(s) of selected edges. introduced in version 0.20

• Add an offset vertex: adds a cosmetic vertex at a specified offset from a selected vertex. introduced in version 0.22

• Add Cosmetic Circles or Arcs:

• Add Cosmetic Circle: adds a cosmetic circle based on two vertexes. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Arc: adds a cosmetic counter clockwise arc based on three vertexes. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points: adds a cosmetic circle based on three vertexes. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Parallel or Perpendicular Lines:

• Add Cosmetic Parallel Line: adds a cosmetic line parallel to another line through a vertex. introduced in version 0.20

• Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line: adds a cosmetic line perpendicular to another line through a vertex. introduced in version 0.20

Dimensions

• Create Chain Dimensions:

• Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned horizontal dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Vertical Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned vertical dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Oblique Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned oblique dimensions. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Coordinate Dimensions:

• Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced horizontal dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced vertical dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced oblique dimensions starting from the same baseline. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Chamfer Dimensions:

• Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension: creates a horizontal size and angle dimension for a chamfer. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension: creates a vertical size and angle dimension for a chamfer. introduced in version 0.20

• Create Arc Length Dimension: creates an arc length dimension. introduced in version 0.20

• Insert Prefix:

• Insert '⌀' Prefix: inserts a '⌀' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20

• Insert '〼' Prefix: inserts a '〼' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20

• Remove Prefix: removes all symbols at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20

• Change Decimal Places:

• Increase Decimal Places: increases the number of decimal places of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20

• Decrease Decimal Places: decreases the number of decimal places of the dimension text. introduced in version 0.20

Export

These are tools for exporting pages to other applications.

• Export Page as SVG: saves the current page as SVG file.

• Export Page as DXF: saves the current page as DXF file.

Additional features

• Line Groups: to control the appearance of various types of lines.
• Templates: the default templates defined for the drawing pages.
• Hatching: explanation of the different hatching techniques.
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing: explanation on how to achieve geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.

Obsolete tools

• Add View to Clip Group: adds an existing view to a clip group. Not available in version 0.22 and above.

• Remove View from Clip Group: removes a view from a clip group. Not available in version 0.22 and above.

• Remove Cosmetic Object: removes cosmetic objects from a page. Not available in version 0.22 and above.

• Move View: moves a view and its dependents to a different page. Not available in version 0.22 and above.

Preferences

• Preferences: preferences for the default values of the drawing page such as projection angle, colors, text sizes, and line styles.

Scripting

The TechDraw tools can be used in macros and from the Python console. For more information see:

• Autogenerated API documentation
• FreeCAD Scripting Basics
• Editable Text Fields

Limitations

• Do not cut, copy and paste TechDraw objects in the Tree view as this generally does not work out well.
• Do not drag TechDraw objects in the Tree view with the mouse.

Tutorials

• Basic TechDraw Tutorial: introduction to creating drawings with the TechDraw Workbench.
• Creating a new template: instructions to create a new page template in Inkscape for using with the TechDraw Workbench.
• TechDraw TemplateGenerator: instructions to create a macro for generating a basic template.

A "few" added lines of code result in a tool like the Macro TemplateHelper.

• Measurement Of Angles On Holes: instructions for adding centerlines and subsequent angle representations on holes.
• Miscellaneous: instructions for different settings like center marks, etc.
• TechDraw Pitch Circle Tutorial: instructions for adding a pitch circle.

Video tutorials by sliptonic

• TechDraw Workbench Part 1 (Basics), Part 2 (Dimensions), Part 3 (Multiview)
• TechDraw Workbench Part 4 (Section and Detail), Part 5 (Customizing Templates)

Development

Do you want to know about the future of the TechDraw Workbench? Visit the TechDraw Roadmap Page to learn more.

Surface Workbench

Web Workbench

Index

TechDraw

• Pages: Insert Default Page, Insert Page using Template, Redraw Page, Print All Pages
• Views: Insert View, Insert Active View, Insert Projection Group, Insert Section View, Insert Complex Section View, Insert Detail View, Insert Draft Workbench Object, Insert Arch Workbench Object, Insert Spreadsheet View, Insert Clip Group, Share View, Project Shape
• Stacking: Move view to top of stack, Move view to bottom of stack, Move view up one level, Move view down one level

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• Decorations: Hatch Face using Image File, Apply Geometric Hatch to Face, Insert SVG Symbol, Insert Bitmap Image, Turn View Frames On/Off
• Dimensions: Insert Length Dimension, Insert Horizontal Dimension, Insert Vertical Dimension, Insert Radius Dimension, Insert Diameter Dimension, Insert Angle Dimension, Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension, Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension, Insert Vertical Extent Dimension, Link Dimension to 3D Geometry, Insert Balloon Annotation, Insert Axonometric Length Dimension, Insert Landmark Dimension, Adjust Geometric References of Dimension
• Annotations: Insert Annotation, Add Leaderline to View, Insert Rich Text Annotation, Add Cosmetic Vertex, Add Midpoint Vertices, Add Quadrant Vertices, Add Centerline to Faces, Add Centerline between 2 Lines, Add Centerline between 2 Points, Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points, Add Cosmetic Circle, Change Appearance of Lines, Show/Hide Invisible Edges, Add Welding Information to Leader, Add Surface Finish Symbol, Add Hole or Shaft Tolerances

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• Extensions:
  • Attributes and modifications: Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance, Change Line Attributes, Extend Line, Shorten Line, Lock/Unlock View, Position Section View, Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Position Vertical Chain Dimensions, Position Oblique Chain Dimensions, Cascade Horizontal Dimensions, Cascade Vertical Dimensions, Cascade Oblique Dimensions, Calculate the area of selected faces, Calculate the arc length of selected edges, Customize format label
  • Centerlines and threading: Add Circle Centerlines, Add Bolt Circle Centerlines, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es), Add an offset vertex, Add Cosmetic Circle, Add Cosmetic Arc, Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points, Add Cosmetic Parallel Line, Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line
  • Dimensions: Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Create Vertical Chain Dimensions, Create Oblique Chain Dimensions, Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions, Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions, Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions, Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension, Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension, Create Arc Length Dimension, Insert '⌀' Prefix, Insert '〼' Prefix, Remove Prefix, Increase Decimal Places, Decrease Decimal Places

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• Export: Export Page as SVG, Export Page as DXF
• Additional: Line Groups, Templates, Hatching, Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, Preferences

User documentation

• Getting started
• Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
• Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate

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• Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
• Workbenches: Std Base, Arch, Assembly, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Start, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework, Web

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• Addons: Addon Manager, External workbenches, Scripting and macros

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• Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub