FreeCAD
Encyclopedia
FreeCAD is a general purpose 3D CAD modeler. It is free software
(GPL & LGPL License). FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties.
FreeCAD features tools similar to CATIA
, SolidWorks
or Solid Edge
, and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM
, CAx and CAE
. It is intended to be a feature-based parametric modeler with a modular software architecture, which makes it easy to provide additional functionality without modifying the core system.
As with many modern 3D CAD modelers it will have a 2D component in order to extract design detail from the 3D model to create 2D production drawings, but direct 2D drawing (like AutoCAD LT) is not the focus, neither are animation (like Blender
) or organic shapes (like Maya, 3ds Max or Cinema 4D
), although, thanks to its wide adaptability, FreeCAD might become useful in a much broader area than its current focus.
FreeCAD is intended to make use of other open-source libraries from the field of Scientific Computing. Among them are Open CASCADE
(a powerful CAD kernel), Coin3D
(an incarnation of Open Inventor
), the Qt GUI Framework, and Python
, a popular scripting language. FreeCAD itself can also be used as a library by other programs.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
(GPL & LGPL License). FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties.
FreeCAD features tools similar to CATIA
CATIA
CATIA is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systemes...
, SolidWorks
SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
or Solid Edge
Solid Edge
Solid Edge is a 3D CAD parametric feature solid modeling software. It runs on Microsoft Windows and provides solid modeling, assembly modelling and drafting functionality for mechanical engineers...
, and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM
Product lifecycle management
In industry, product lifecycle management is the process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacture, to service and disposal...
, CAx and CAE
Computer-aided engineering
Computer-aided engineering is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering tasks. It includes computer-aided design , computer-aided analysis , computer-integrated manufacturing , computer-aided manufacturing , material requirements planning , and computer-aided planning .- Overview...
. It is intended to be a feature-based parametric modeler with a modular software architecture, which makes it easy to provide additional functionality without modifying the core system.
As with many modern 3D CAD modelers it will have a 2D component in order to extract design detail from the 3D model to create 2D production drawings, but direct 2D drawing (like AutoCAD LT) is not the focus, neither are animation (like Blender
Blender (software)
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games. The current release version is 2.60, and was released on October 19, 2011...
) or organic shapes (like Maya, 3ds Max or Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D
CINEMA 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. It is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3d modelling applications.- Overview:The...
), although, thanks to its wide adaptability, FreeCAD might become useful in a much broader area than its current focus.
FreeCAD is intended to make use of other open-source libraries from the field of Scientific Computing. Among them are Open CASCADE
Open CASCADE
Open CASCADE Technology is a software development platform for 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, etc. that is developed and supported by OPEN CASCADE SAS. It is available under the "Open CASCADE Technology Public License" which the developer claims to be . Despite this claim, it is not listed as compatible with...
(a powerful CAD kernel), Coin3D
Coin3D
Coin3D is an Open Inventor clone by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies . Coin3D, like Open Inventor, is a C++ object oriented retained mode 3D graphics API used to provide a higher layer of programming for OpenGL. The API provides a number of common graphics rendering constructs...
(an incarnation of Open Inventor
Open Inventor
Open Inventor, originally IRIS Inventor, is a C++ object oriented retained mode 3D graphics API designed by SGI to provide a higher layer of programming for OpenGL. Its main goals are better programmer convenience and efficiency.-Early history:...
), the Qt GUI Framework, and Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
, a popular scripting language. FreeCAD itself can also be used as a library by other programs.
See also
- Open CASCADEOpen CASCADEOpen CASCADE Technology is a software development platform for 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, etc. that is developed and supported by OPEN CASCADE SAS. It is available under the "Open CASCADE Technology Public License" which the developer claims to be . Despite this claim, it is not listed as compatible with...
- Open-source softwareOpen-source softwareOpen-source software is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.Open...
- Comparison of CAD editors for AEC