FreeCAD uses open source libraries from the field of computing; These include Open CASCADE[4][5] technology (a CAD core), Coin3D (an incarnation of Open Inventor), the Qt GUI framework, and Python, a popular scripting language. FreeCAD itself can also be used by other programs as a library. [6] In addition, FreeCAD has a library of ready-to-use figures that can be easily edited. FreeCAD`s support for the important DWG file format was problematic due to software license compatibility issues with the GNU LibreDWG library. The GNU LibreDWG library started as a true free alternative to the available OpenDWG library (later Teigha Converter and now ODA File Converter) and is licensed under GPLv3. Since FreeCAD (and also LibreCAD) has dependencies on Open Cascade, which was only compatible with GPLv2 before version 6.7.0[11], it could not use the GNU LibreDWG library because GPLv2 and GPLv3 are essentially incompatible. [12] [13] The Open CASCADE technology was contacted by the Debian team in 2009, and in 2012 it received a response stating that the Open CASCADE technology was considering a dual OCCT license (the library), but they postponed this step. A request was also made to the FSF to relicense GNU LibreDWG as GPLv2 or LGPLv3, which was denied. [14] The main freeCAD file format is the standard FreeCAD file format (. FCStd). [9] This is a standard zip file that contains files in a specific structure. [9] The Document.xml file contains all geometric and parametric object definitions. [9] GuiDocument.xml then has details of visual representation of the objects.
[9] Other files contain brep files for objects and thumbnails of drawings. [9] Like many modern 3D CAD modelers, FreeCAD has a 2D component to facilitate the conversion of 3D drawings to 2D drawings. In its current state, direct 2D drawing (such as AutoCAD LT) is not at the center of this software, nor is animation or manipulation of 3D models (such as Blender, Maya or Cinema 4D). However, the modular nature of FreeCAD allows the user to customize their workflow for such environments through the use of plugins. Efforts are being made to extend FreeCAD in the fields of architecture, electrical engineering and construction (AEC) and add Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities with the Arch module. [7] FreeCAD offers tools similar to CATIA, Creo, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, NX, Inventor, Revit and therefore also belongs to the category of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Mechanical Computer-Aided Design (MCAD), PLM, CAx and CAE. It is intended to be a function-based parametric modeler with a modular software architecture that facilitates the provision of additional functionality without modifying the base system. FreeCAD is a general-purpose parametric computer-aided design (CAD) modeler and building information modeling (BIM) software application with finite element method (FEM) support.
[3] It is intended for product design in mechanical engineering, but also extends to a wider range of applications in mechanical engineering, such as architecture or electrical engineering. FreeCAD is free and open source, licensed under LGPL 2.0 or higher, and available for Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. Users can extend the functionality of the software using the Python programming language. FreeCAD is very useful in various fields, but the program is mainly used by professional designers. Since 2014, version 0.14 of FreeCAD, including the new LGPL version of Open Cascade, the BSD-licensed version of Coin3D and the removal of PyQT, FreeCAD is now fully GPL-free. [15] However, LibreDWG was not adopted. FreeCAD is able to import and export a limited subset[16] of the DWG format via ODA File Converter (the old OpenDWG library). With FreeCAD you can draw sketches, construction plans or any other type of drawing. FreeCAD has various drawing and editing tools and is compatible with the most popular photo formats.
FreeCAD was presented at FISL 16 2015 in Porto Alegre[17] and at the Libre Graphics Meeting in London 2016. [18] These two exhibitions can bring together both developers and users. In 2020, two of these developers, Yorik Van Havre and Brad Collette, gave the presentation at FOSDEM in Brussels. [19] In addition to FreeCAD`s own file format, files can be exported and imported in DXF, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), STEP, IGES, STL (STereoLithography), OBJ (Wavefront), DAE (Collada), SCAD (OpenSCAD), IV (Inventor) and IFC formats. [10] Since the end of 2020, CADENAS` 3D model search called 3DfindIT.com has been integrated into FreeCAD. [8].