User hub/tr: Difference between revisions

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<languages/>
<languages/>
{{TOCright}}
[[Image:User_hub.png|64px]]
[[Image:User_hub.png|64px]]
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__NOTOC__


This is the main help area for newcomers to FreeCAD.
This is the main help area for newcomers to FreeCAD.


These pages are in continuous development, so there may be missing or outdated information. If you cannot find the information that you need, don't hesitate to ask in the [http://forum.freecadweb.org FreeCAD forum].
FreeCAD is in continuous development, so there may be missing or outdated information. If you cannot find the information that you need, don't hesitate to ask in the [https://forum.freecadweb.org FreeCAD forum].


If you'd like to contribute to FreeCAD, please [[donate|donate]], and see the [[Help_FreeCAD|Help FreeCAD]] page for other ways to contribute. If you'd like to edit this wiki, request a wiki account with editor permissions [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6830 in the forum], and read the [[WikiPages|WikiPages]] for the general guidelines that you should follow.
If you'd like to contribute to FreeCAD, please [[donate|donate]], and see the [[Help_FreeCAD|Help FreeCAD]] page for other ways to contribute. If you'd like to edit this wiki, request a wiki account with editor permissions [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6830 in the forum], and read the [[WikiPages|WikiPages]] for the general guidelines that you should follow.
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* [[Tutorials|Tutorials]] covering different parts of FreeCAD
* [[Tutorials|Tutorials]] covering different parts of FreeCAD


====Migrating from other software?====
See also:

* [[Workarounds|Workarounds]]
* [[Migrating_to_FreeCAD_from_Fusion360|Migrating to FreeCAD from Fusion360]]
* [[Migrating_to_FreeCAD_from_Fusion360|Migrating to FreeCAD from Fusion360]]
* [[Migrating_to_FreeCAD_from_OnShape|Migrating to FreeCAD from OnShape]]
* [[Migrating_to_FreeCAD_from_SolidWorks|Migrating to FreeCAD from SolidWorks]]
* [[Migrating_to_FreeCAD_from_Revit|Migrating to FreeCAD from Revit]]
* [https://yorik.uncreated.net/blog/2020-010-freecad-bim-guide FreeCAD BIM migration guide]
* [[BIM_application_compatibility_table|BIM applications compatibility table]]


===Basic application===
===Basic application===


* [[Interface|Interface]]: the FreeCAD interface is composed of various graphical elements on the screen, including the [[3D view|3D view]], the [[tree view|tree view]], the [[property editor|property editor]], the [[task panel|task panel]], and the [[Python console|Python console]].
* [[Interface|Interface]]: the FreeCAD interface is composed of various graphical elements on the screen, including the [[3D_view|3D view]], the [[Tree_view|tree view]], the [[Property_editor|property editor]], the [[Task_panel|task panel]], and the [[Python_console|Python console]].
* [[Mouse Model|Mouse navigation]]: the different types of using the mouse or trackpad to navigate in the 3D view.
* [[Mouse_navigation|Mouse navigation]]: the different types of using the mouse or trackpad to navigate in the 3D view.
* [[Selection_methods|Selection methods]]: the different methods of selecting objects in the software.
* [[Selection_methods|Selection methods]]: the different methods of selecting objects in the software.
* [[Object_name|Object name]]: all objects have a read-only {{incode|Name}} that uniquely identifies them, and a {{incode|Label}} which is user editable.
* [[Object_name|Objects naming]]: FreeCAD objects have a read-only {{incode|Name}} that uniquely identifies them, and a {{incode|Label}} which is user editable.
* [[Preferences_Editor|Preferences Editor]]: the system that allows you to control many properties of the base system and of the individual workbenches.
* [[Preferences_Editor|Preferences Editor]]: the system that allows you to control many properties of the base system and of the individual workbenches.
* [[Import_Export|File formats]]: the different file formats that FreeCAD can read and write.
* [[Import_Export|File formats]]: the different file formats that FreeCAD can read and write.
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===Workbenches===
===Workbenches===


[[Workbenches|Workbenches]] are collections of tools that are used for a relatively specific task. These are the base workbenches bundled with every installation of FreeCAD:
[[Workbenches|Workbenches]] are collections of tools used for specific tasks. These are the base workbenches bundled with every FreeCAD installation:

<!--Please keep this list consistent with Online_Help_Toc and Workbenches-->
* [[Image:Freecad.svg|32px]] [[Std_Base|Standard tools]]. These commands and tools are present in all workbenches.

* [[Image:Workbench_Arch.svg|32px]] The [[Arch_Workbench|Arch Workbench]] for working with architectural elements.

* [[Image:Workbench_Draft.svg|32px]] The [[Draft_Workbench|Draft Workbench]] contains 2D tools and basic 2D and 3D CAD operations.

* [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|32px]] The [[FEM_Workbench|FEM Workbench]] provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA) workflow.

* [[Image:Workbench_Image.svg|32px]] The [[Image_Workbench|Image Workbench]] for working with bitmap images.

* [[Image:Workbench_Inspection.svg|32px]] The [[Inspection_Workbench|Inspection Workbench]] is made to give you specific tools for examination of shapes. It is still under development.

* [[Image:Workbench_Mesh.svg|32px]] The [[Mesh_Workbench|Mesh Workbench]] for working with triangulated meshes.

* [[Image:Workbench_OpenSCAD.svg|32px]] The [[OpenSCAD_Workbench|OpenSCAD Workbench]] for interoperability with OpenSCAD and repairing [[Constructive_solid_geometry|constructive solid geometry]] (CSG) model history.

* [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|32px]] The [[Part_Workbench|Part Workbench]] for working with CAD parts.

* [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|32px]] The [[PartDesign_Workbench|Part Design Workbench]] for building Part shapes from sketches.

* [[Image:Workbench_Path.svg|32px]] The [[Path_Workbench|Path Workbench]] is used to produce G-Code instructions. It is still under development.

* [[Image:Workbench_Points.svg|32px]] The [[Points_Workbench|Points Workbench]] for working with point clouds.

* [[Image:Workbench_Raytracing.svg|32px]] The [[Raytracing_Workbench|Raytracing Workbench]] for working with ray-tracing (rendering).

* [[Image:Workbench_Reverse_Engineering.svg|32px]] The [[Reverse_Engineering_Workbench|Reverse Engineering Workbench]] is intended to provide specific tools to convert shapes/solids/meshes into parametric FreeCAD-compatible features. It is still under development.


* [[File:Freecad.svg|32px]] [[Std_Base|Std Base]]. This is not really a workbench, but rather a category of 'standard' commands and tools that can be used in all workbenches.
* [[Image:Workbench_Arch.svg|32px]] The [[Arch Module|Arch Workbench]] for working with architectural elements.
* [[Image:Workbench_Draft.svg|32px]] The [[Draft Module|Draft Workbench]] contains 2D tools and basic 2D and 3D CAD operations.
* [[Image:Workbench_FEM.svg|32px]] The [[FEM Module|FEM Workbench]] provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA) workflow.
* [[Image:Workbench_Image.svg|32px]] The [[Image Module|Image Workbench]] for working with bitmap images.
* [[Image:Workbench_Inspection.svg|32px]] The [[Inspection Workbench|Inspection Workbench]] is made to give you specific tools for examination of shapes. It is still in development.
* [[Image:Workbench_Mesh.svg|32px]] The [[Mesh Workbench|Mesh Workbench]] for working with triangulated meshes.
* [[Image:Workbench_OpenSCAD.svg|32px]] The [[OpenSCAD Module|OpenSCAD Workbench]] for interoperability with OpenSCAD and repairing [[constructive solid geometry|constructive solid geometry]] (CSG) model history.
* [[Image:Workbench_Part.svg|32px]] The [[Part Module|Part Workbench]] for working with CAD parts.
* [[Image:Workbench_PartDesign.svg|32px]] The [[PartDesign Workbench|Part Design Workbench]] for building Part shapes from sketches.
* [[Image:Workbench_Path.svg|32px]] The [[Path_Workbench|Path Workbench]] is used to produce G-Code instructions. It is still in a stage of development.
* [[Image:Workbench_Points.svg|32px]] The [[Points_Module|Points Workbench]] for working with point clouds.
* [[Image:Workbench_Raytracing.svg|32px]] The [[Raytracing Module|Raytracing Workbench]] for working with ray-tracing (rendering)
* [[Image:Workbench_Reverse_Engineering.svg|32px]] The [[Reverse Engineering Workbench|Reverse Engineering Workbench]] is intended to provide specific tools to convert shapes/solids/meshes into parametric FreeCAD-compatible features. (under development)
* [[Image:Workbench_Robot.svg|32px]] The [[Robot_Workbench|Robot Workbench]] for studying robot movements.
* [[Image:Workbench_Robot.svg|32px]] The [[Robot_Workbench|Robot Workbench]] for studying robot movements.

* [[Image:Workbench_Sketcher.svg|32px]] The [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketcher Workbench]] for working with geometry-constrained sketches.
* [[Image:Workbench_Spreadsheet.svg|32px]] The [[Spreadsheet Workbench|Spreadsheet Workbench]] for creating and manipulating spreadsheet data.
* [[Image:Workbench_Sketcher.svg|32px]] The [[Sketcher_Workbench|Sketcher Workbench]] for working with geometry-constrained sketches.

* [[Image:Workbench_Spreadsheet.svg|32px]] The [[Spreadsheet_Workbench|Spreadsheet Workbench]] for creating and manipulating spreadsheet data.

* [[Image:Workbench_Start.svg|32px]] The [[Start_Workbench|Start Center Workbench]] allows you to quickly jump to one of the most common workbenches.
* [[Image:Workbench_Start.svg|32px]] The [[Start_Workbench|Start Center Workbench]] allows you to quickly jump to one of the most common workbenches.

* [[Image:Workbench_Surface.svg|32px]] The [[Surface_Module|Surface workbench]] provides tools to create and modify surfaces. It is similar as the Part Shape builder Face from edges.
* [[Image:Workbench_TechDraw.svg|32px]] The [[TechDraw Module|TechDraw Workbench]] is the more advanced and feature-rich successor of [[Drawing Module|Drawing]]
* [[Image:Workbench_Surface.svg|32px]] The [[Surface_Workbench|Surface Workbench]] provides tools to create and modify surfaces. It is similar to the [[Part_Builder|Part Builder]] Face from edges option.

* [[Image:Workbench_TechDraw.svg|32px]] The [[TechDraw_Workbench|TechDraw Workbench]] for producing technical drawings from 3D models. It is the successor of the [[Drawing_Workbench|Drawing Workbench]].

* [[Image:Workbench_Test.svg|32px]] The [[Testing|Test Framework Workbench]] is for debugging FreeCAD.
* [[Image:Workbench_Test.svg|32px]] The [[Testing|Test Framework Workbench]] is for debugging FreeCAD.

* [[Image:Workbench_Web.svg|32px]] The [[Web Workbench|Web Workbench]] provides you with a browser window instead of the [[3D view|3D view]] within FreeCAD.
* [[Image:Workbench_Web.svg|32px]] The [[Web_Workbench|Web Workbench]] provides you with a browser window instead of the [[3D view|3D view]] within FreeCAD.


===Macros===
===Macros===
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Power users have written various [[macros|macros]] to enhance FreeCAD with more capabilities.
Power users have written various [[macros|macros]] to enhance FreeCAD with more capabilities.


Since FreeCAD 0.17, many macros can be installed using the [[Std AddonMgr|Addon Manager]]. For a list of the macros refer to the [[macros recipes|macros recipes]] page. For manual installation see [[How to install macros|How to install macros]].
Since FreeCAD 0.17, many macros can be installed using the [[Std_AddonMgr|Addon Manager]]. For a list of the macros refer to the [[Macros_recipes|Macros recipes]] page. For manual installation see [[How_to_install_macros|How to install macros]].


===External workbenches===
===External workbenches===
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[[External_workbenches|External workbenches]] are collections of functions that are not part of the base FreeCAD system, usually developed by experienced users, and targeting a particular need.
[[External_workbenches|External workbenches]] are collections of functions that are not part of the base FreeCAD system, usually developed by experienced users, and targeting a particular need.


Since FreeCAD 0.17, many workbenches can be installed using the [[Std AddonMgr|Addon Manager]]. For manual installation see [[How to install additional workbenches|How to install additional workbenches]].
Since FreeCAD 0.17, many workbenches can be installed using the [[Std_AddonMgr|Addon Manager]]. For manual installation see [[How_to_install_additional_workbenches|How to install additional workbenches]].


==Reference==
==Reference==


* [[List of Commands|Commands Reference]]: A complete list of the available FreeCAD commands.
* [[List_of_Commands|Commands Reference]]: A complete list of the available FreeCAD commands.


== Online Help ==
== Online Help ==
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== More ==
== More ==


* The [[Power users hub|Power users hub]] is the place to go if you would like to see more advanced use of FreeCAD
* The [[Power_users_hub|Power users hub]] is the place to go if you would like to see more advanced use of FreeCAD
* The [[FreeCAD Community Portal|FreeCAD Community Portal]] lists projects made by community members around FreeCAD.
* The [[FreeCAD_Community_Portal|FreeCAD Community Portal]] lists projects made by community members around FreeCAD.
* Don't understand a term or phrase as used in FreeCAD? Try the [[Glossary|Glossary]] page.
* Don't understand a term or phrase as used in FreeCAD? Try the [[Glossary|Glossary]] page.



Revision as of 10:04, 28 May 2022


This is the main help area for newcomers to FreeCAD.

FreeCAD is in continuous development, so there may be missing or outdated information. If you cannot find the information that you need, don't hesitate to ask in the FreeCAD forum.

If you'd like to contribute to FreeCAD, please donate, and see the Help FreeCAD page for other ways to contribute. If you'd like to edit this wiki, request a wiki account with editor permissions in the forum, and read the WikiPages for the general guidelines that you should follow.

If you would like to know how FreeCAD started years ago visit the History page.

Using FreeCAD

Introduction

Migrating from other software?

Basic application

Workbenches

Workbenches are collections of tools used for specific tasks. These are the base workbenches bundled with every FreeCAD installation:

  • Standard tools. These commands and tools are present in all workbenches.
  • The FEM Workbench provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA) workflow.
  • The Inspection Workbench is made to give you specific tools for examination of shapes. It is still under development.
  • The Path Workbench is used to produce G-Code instructions. It is still under development.
  • The Reverse Engineering Workbench is intended to provide specific tools to convert shapes/solids/meshes into parametric FreeCAD-compatible features. It is still under development.

Macros

Macros are relatively small snippets of Python code that perform a simple or a complex task that is not available in the base FreeCAD system.

Power users have written various macros to enhance FreeCAD with more capabilities.

Since FreeCAD 0.17, many macros can be installed using the Addon Manager. For a list of the macros refer to the Macros recipes page. For manual installation see How to install macros.

External workbenches

When many macros or functions are developed together, and are organized in toolbars and menus, they can become a new workbench.

External workbenches are collections of functions that are not part of the base FreeCAD system, usually developed by experienced users, and targeting a particular need.

Since FreeCAD 0.17, many workbenches can be installed using the Addon Manager. For manual installation see How to install additional workbenches.

Reference

Online Help

This is the official FreeCAD online help. Please note that the whole online help system is currently being reworked. It will be used to generate a .CHM file, that will be distributed with the binary packages of FreeCAD. At the moment the online help summarizes some of the most complete sections of this wiki.

More

  • The Power users hub is the place to go if you would like to see more advanced use of FreeCAD
  • The FreeCAD Community Portal lists projects made by community members around FreeCAD.
  • Don't understand a term or phrase as used in FreeCAD? Try the Glossary page.