FreeCAD is a parametric CAD system for Windows. It interacts with most popular 3D formats (SVG, IGES, OBJ, STEP, DA, STL, DXF, IFC, etc.) and visualizes booms, vertexes, meshes and other 3D graphics elements stored in them in the interface.
This CAD is based on the concept of parametric 3D modeling, which allows you to influence "shapes" and "meshes" not only "directly", but also by changing the properties of objects associated with their vertexes. Equipped with integrated C++ and Python interpreters, allowing you to connect third-party plugins and modules. Has its own macro editor. Can build engineering drawings based on three-dimensional models.
FreeCAD features.
- Loads, analyzes, normalizes and visualizes in SVG, IGES, OBJ, STEP, DA, STL, DXF, IFC and other popular 3D formats. Can import formats not provided with the original functionality through plug-ins and modules;
- Fully supports CASCADE kernel technology, which implements the ability to use brep- and nurbs-tools when editing complex 3D models with a large number of vertexes and polygons;
- Constantly reads properties of each element, and modifies parameters of objects and vertexes associated with them, even on animation storyboards;
- Stores all changes within one session in a buffer. Writes them on the stack when the corresponding function is initiated;
- Interprets C++ and Python code. Corrects the editable model and/or interface and functionality according to the scripts/plugins/modules code;
- Writes all user actions into a macro (when created). Interprets the macro code (when initiated). Corrects the macro code according to user edits made with the integrated macro editor;
- Converts the geometry of 2D and 3D models into sketches and drawings, and sends the result to print;
- Supports Sketcher technology with a "solver" and limiter interpreter;
- Renders the edited three-dimensional model by povray- or LuxRender-method;
- Exports the result of the work in the selected format.
CAD features
- Imports/exports most of the modern three-dimensional graphics formats;
- Full support for all advantages of the parametric 3D-modeling concept;
- Modular, flexibly configurable interface;
- Integrated interpreters for C++ and Python;
- Ability to build engineering drawings;
- Dozens of built-in tools for highly specialized tasks (thread line calculator for milling, robot motion analyzer, hundreds of engineering reference tables, etc.)
- Ability to use CAD in training institutions without the need for licensing.
Disadvantages
- Third-party modules and plug-ins do not always work correctly;
- Construction of engineering drawings is based on Western nomenclature.
