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    FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book
    FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book
    FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book
    Ebook1,297 pages10 hours

    FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book

    By Gaurav Verma and Matt Weber

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    The FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book is the 2nd edition of our series on FreeCAD. This book is written to help beginners in creating some of the most complex solid models. The book follows a step by step methodology. In this book, we have tried to give real-world examples with real challenges in designing. We have tried to cover most of the topics utilized in industries for designing. The book covers almost all the information required by a learner to master the FreeCAD. The book starts with sketching and ends at advanced topics like Path (CAM), and FEM (Simulation). Some of the salient features of this book are :


    In-Depth explanation of concepts
    Every new topic of this book starts with the explanation of the basic concepts. In this way, the user becomes capable of relating the things with real world.

     

    Topics Covered
    Every chapter starts with a list of topics being covered in that chapter. In this way, the user can easily find the topics of his/her interest easily.

     

    Instruction through illustration
    The instructions to perform any action are provided by maximum number of illustrations so that the user can perform the actions discussed in the book easily and effectively. There are about 1350 illustrations that make the learning process effective.

     

    Tutorial point of view
    At the end of concept's explanation, the tutorial make the understanding of users firm and long lasting. Almost each chapter of the book has tutorials that are real world projects. Moreover most of the tools in this book are discussed in the form of tutorials.


    Project
    Projects and exercises are provided to students for practicing.


    For Faculty
    If you are a faculty member, then you can ask for video tutorials on any of the topic, exercise, tutorial, or concept. As faculty, you can register on our website to get electronic desk copies of our latest books. Faculty resources are available in the Faculty Member page of our website once you  login. Note that faculty registration approval is manual and it may take two days for approval before you can access the faculty website.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCADCAMCAE Works
    Release dateOct 30, 2021
    ISBN9798201756567
    FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book
    Author

    Gaurav Verma

    Gaurav Verma is currently a Full Professor at the Panjab University, Chandigarh, India (Dr. SS Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, and Adjunct Faculty at the Department of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology). He is a former CV Raman Post-Doctoral fellow from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. His research focuses on the areas of applied nanoscience and nanostructured materials.

    Read more from Gaurav Verma

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      Book preview

      FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book - Gaurav Verma

      FreeCAD_0.jpg

      FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book

      By

      Gaurav Verma

      Matt Weber

      (CADCAMCAE Works)

      Edited by

      Kristen

      Published by CADCAMCAE WORKS, USA. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in the database or retrieval system without the prior permission of CADCAMCAE WORKS. To get the permissions, contact at [email protected]

      NOTICE TO THE READER

      Publisher does not warrant or guarantee any of the products described in the text or perform any independent analysis in connection with any of the product information contained in the text. Publisher does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to obtain and include information other than that provided to it by the manufacturer.

      The reader is expressly warned to consider and adopt all safety precautions that might be indicated by the activities herein and to avoid all potential hazards. By following the instructions contained herein, the reader willingly assumes all risks in connection with such instructions.

      The Publisher makes no representation or warranties of any kind, including but not limited to, the warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, nor are any such representations implied with respect to the material set forth herein, and the publisher takes no responsibility with respect to such material. The publisher shall not be liable for any special, consequential, or exemplary damages resulting, in whole or part, from the reader’s use of, or reliance upon, this material.

      DEDICATION

      To teachers, who make it possible to disseminate knowledge

      to enlighten the young and curious minds

      of our future generations

      To students, who are the future of the world

      THANKS

      To my friends and colleagues

      To my family for their love and support

      Training and Consultant Services

      At CADCAMCAE WORKS, we provide effective and affordable one to one online training on various software packages in Computer Aided Design(CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM), Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Computer programming languages(C/C++, Java, .NET, Android, Javascript, HTML and so on). The training is delivered through remote access to your system and voice chat via Internet at any time, any place, and at any pace to individuals, groups, students of colleges/universities, and CAD/CAM/CAE training centers. The main features of this program are:

      Training as per your need

      Highly experienced Engineers and Technician conduct the classes on the software applications used in the industries. The methodology adopted to teach the software is totally practical based, so that the learner can adapt to the design and development industries in almost no time. The efforts are to make the training process cost effective and time saving while you have the comfort of your time and place, thereby relieving you from the hassles of traveling to training centers or rearranging your time table.

      Software Packages on which we provide

      basic and advanced training are:

      CAD/CAM/CAE: CATIA, Creo Parametric, Creo Direct, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge, UG NX, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, EdgeCAM, MasterCAM, SolidCAM, DelCAM, BOBCAM, UG NX Manufacturing, UG Mold Wizard, UG Progressive Die, UG Die Design, SolidWorks Mold, Creo Manufacturing, Creo Expert Machinist, NX Nastran, Hypermesh, SolidWorks Simulation, Autodesk Simulation Mechanical, Creo Simulate, Gambit, ANSYS and many others.

      Computer Programming Languages: C++, VB.NET, HTML, Android, Javascript and so on.

      Game Designing: Unity.

      Civil Engineering: AutoCAD MEP, Revit Structure, Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Map 3D and so on.

      We also provide consultant services for Design and development on the above mentioned software packages

      For more information you can mail us at:

      [email protected]

      Table of Contents

      Training and Consultant Services

      Preface

      About Authors

      Overview Of FreeCAD

      Installing FreeCAD

      Starting FreeCAD

      File Menu

      New

      Open

      Close

      Close All

      Save

      Save As

      Save a Copy

      Save All

      Revert

      Import

      Export

      Merge project

      Project information

      Print

      Print Preview

      Export PDF

      View Menu

      Create new view

      Orthographic view

      Perspective view

      Fullscreen

      Standard Views

      Freeze Display

      Save Views

      Load views

      Freeze view

      Clear views

      Restore view

      DRAW STYLE

      Tools Menu

      Edit parameters

      Save Picture

      Scene Inspector

      Dependency Graph

      Project Utility

      Measure distance

      Add text document

      View turntable

      Units calculator

      Customize

      Addon Manager

      Navigating in the 3d view

      CAD Navigation

      OpenInventor Navigation

      Revit Navigation

      Blender Navigation

      MayaGesture Navigation

      Touchpad Navigation

      Gesture Navigation

      OpenCascade Navigation

      FreeCAD Interface

      Introduction

      Starting Sketch

      Sketch Creation Tools

      Point

      Line

      Arc

      Circle

      Conic

      B-spline

      Polyline

      Rectangle

      Polygon

      Slot

      Sketch Editing Tools

      Fillet

      Trim

      Extend

      External Geometry

      Carbon Copy

      Construction Mode

      Sketcher constraints

      Geometric constraints

      Dimensional constraints

      Sketcher Tools

      Select solver DOFs

      Close Shape

      Connect Edges

      Select Constraints

      Select Elements Associated with constraints

      Select Redundant Constraints

      Select Conflicting Constraints

      Show/Hide internal geometry

      Symmetry

      Clone

      Copy

      Move

      Rectangular Array

      Delete All Constraints

      Sketcher B-Spline Tools

      Show/Hide B-spline degree

      Show/Hide B-spline control polygon

      Show/Hide B-spline curvature comb

      Show/Hide B-spline knot multiplicity

      Show/hide B-spline control point weight

      Convert Geometry to B-spline

      Increase B-spline degree

      Increase knot multiplicity

      Decrease knot multiplicity

      Practical 1

      Practical - 2

      Practical - 3

      Practice 1

      Practice 2

      Practice 3

      Practice 4

      Introduction

      Starting part design

      Part Design Helper Tools

      Part Design Modeling Tools

      Datum tools

      Additive tools

      Subtractive tools

      Transformation Tools

      Dress-up tools

      Boolean operation

      Creating Sprocket

      Creating Involute Gear

      Shaft Design Wizard

      Practical

      Introduction

      Starting part Workbench

      Primitive tools

      Modifying Object tools

      Measure Tools

      Other tools

      Practical 1

      Practical 2

      Practical 3

      Introduction

      Starting draft Workbench

      Drawing objects tools

      Annotation objects tools

      Modifying objects tools

      Draft Tray Toolbar

      Draft Snap Toolbar

      Draft Utility Tools Toolbar

      Practical 1

      Introduction

      Starting Arch Workbench

      Arch Tools

      Creating Wall

      Creating Structure

      Creating Rebar

      Creating Curtain Wall

      Creating Building Part

      Creating Project

      Creating Site

      Creating Building

      Creating Floor

      Adding an External Reference

      Creating Window

      Creating Roof

      Axis tools

      Creating Section Plane

      Creating Space

      Creating Stairs

      Panel tools

      Creating Equipment

      Creating Frame

      Creating Fence

      Creating Truss

      Creating Profile

      Material tools

      Creating Schedule

      Pipe tools

      Cutting the object with Plane

      Cutting the Object with Line

      Adding the Component

      Removing the Component

      Survey

      Practical

      Introduction

      Starting Path Workbench

      Jobs, tools, and generating g-code

      Creating Job

      ToolBit Library Editor

      Exporting Template

      Basic path operations

      Creating Contour Operation

      Creating Pocket Object

      Performing Drill Operation

      Creating Face Milling

      Creating Helical Operation

      Creating Adaptive Operation

      Creating an Engraving Path

      Creating Deburring Operation

      Creating Vcarve

      Creating 3D Pocket Operation

      PATH MODIFICATION Tools

      Creating Copy

      Creating Array

      Creating Simple Copy

      Path Utilities

      Inspection of G-Code

      Simulating the Path

      Post-Processing

      Practical

      Introduction to FEM

      Starting FEM Workbench

      Creating Analysis Container

      Static Analysis

      Frequency Analysis (Modal Analysis)

      Thermal analysis

      Defining Material For Solid

      Editing Material

      Applying Constraints

      Mechanical Constraints

      Geometrical Constraints

      Constraints Without Solver

      Thermal Constraints

      Fluid Constraints

      Applying Electrostatic Potential Constraint

      Applying Constant Vacuum Permittivity

      Creating Geometry Elements

      Creating Beam Cross-section

      Applying Rotation to Beam Elements

      Defining Shell Plate Thickness

      Creating Fluid Section for 1D Flow

      Meshing

      Creating FEM mesh using Netgen Mesher

      Creating FEM mesh using Gmsh Mesher

      Creating Boundary Mesh Layer

      Create FEM mesh region

      Creating FEM mesh group

      Creating Nodes set

      FEM Mesh to Polygonal Mesh Model Conversion

      Solvers

      Calculix Standard Solver

      Calculix Experimental Solver

      Elmer Solver

      Z88 Solver

      Post Processing in FreeCAD FEM

      Purging Results

      Showing Result

      Creating Post Processing Pipeline for Results

      Applying Warp Filter

      Applying Scalar Clip Filter

      Applying Function Cut Filter

      Creating Line Plot

      Practical

      Introduction to TechDraw Workbench

      Starting A New Drawing Page

      Inserting New Page of Selected Template

      Redraw page

      Inserting View in Page

      Inserting active view in page

      Inserting Multiple Linked Views

      Creating Section Views

      Inserting Detail View

      Inserting a View of Draft

      Workbench Objects

      Inserting Annotations

      Adding leader line to view

      Inserting Rich Text Annotation

      Adding cosmetic vertex

      Adding midpoint vertices

      Adding Quadrant vertices

      Adding centerline to faces

      Adding Centerline between 2 Lines

      Adding Centerline between 2 Points

      Adding Cosmetic Line through 2 points

      Changing Appearance Of Line

      Adding Welding Information to Leaderline

      Working with Clip Group

      Inserting Length Dimension

      Linking Dimension to 3D Geometry

      Exporting Page to SVG file

      Exporting Page as DXF file

      Applying Hatch Pattern

      Applying Geometric Hatch to a Face

      Inserting Symbol from an SVG File

      Inserts a bitmap from a file into a Page

      Turning View Frames On/Off

      Image Workbench

      Opening Image in Image Viewer

      Inserting Image in 3D Space

      Applying Scale to Image on Plane

      Practical

      Introduction to Surface Workbench

      Creating Fill Surface using Curves and Vertices

      Creating Surface using Boundary Curves

      Creating Surface using Edges

      Creating Surface by Extending a Face

      Introduction to Mesh Workbench

      Importing Mesh Objects

      Exporting Mesh Model

      Creating Mesh from Shape

      Refinement

      Mesh Analysis Tools

      Generating Curvature Plot

      Harmonizing Normals

      Flipping Normals of Mesh Faces

      Filling Holes in Mesh

      Closing Holes

      Adding Triangles to Mesh

      Removing Components of Mesh

      Removing Components by Hand

      Creating Mesh Segments

      Smoothening Mesh Model

      Decimating Mesh Model

      Scaling Mesh Model

      Creating Regular Mesh Solids

      Performing Boolean Operations on Meshes

      Mesh Cutting Operations

      Creating Cross Sections

      Merging Mesh

      Splitting Mesh Object

      Raytracing Workbench

      Installing POV-Ray Executable

      Starting a Rendering Project

      Adding Part to POV-Ray Project

      Resetting Camera

      Exporting Raytracing project to a File

      Performing Rendering

      Robot Workbench

      Inserting Robot

      Creating Robot Trajectory

      Adding Edges to Trajectory

      Setting Default Orientation of Robot

      Setting Default Values for Robot

      Adding Tool to Robot

      Simulating Robot Trajectory

      3d printing tools Workbench

      Converting Imperial Mesh to Metric and vice-versa

      Reducing and scaling mesh by 50%

      Scaling mesh by variable scale factor

      Reducing mesh by 95%

      Creating mesh box

      Converting mesh to refined solids

      Changing objects transparency

      Hiding or showing the selected objects

      Modifying objects to random color

      Changing color of objects

      Changing the line width

      Turning on or off the Bounding box size

      Defining Printer bed size

      Defining Die length size

      Defining the Scale factor

      Introduction

      Edit Menu

      Undo Operation

      Redo Operation

      Cut, Copy, and Paste Operations

      Duplicating Selected Objects

      Refresh Operation

      Box Selection

      Select All

      Deleting Objects

      Sending to Python Console

      Modifying Placement of Objects

      Alignment Operation

      Activating Edit Mode

      Preferences

      View Menu

      Stereoscopic Views

      Zoom Options

      Document Window Options

      TreeView actions Options

      Toggle Axis Cross

      Bounding Box

      Clipping Plane

      Texture Mapping

      Visibility Options

      Apply Random Colors to Model

      Workbench Options

      Showing/Hiding Toolbars

      Showing/Hiding Panels

      Status Bar

      Macro Menu

      Recording Macro

      Executing and Managing Macros

      Preface

      FreeCAD is a parametric (history based) open source CAD/CAM/CAE software which finds its uses in various fields of designing. The software has a modular structure which allows to plugin extensions (modules) to add functionality to the core application. An extension can be as complex as a whole new application programmed in C++ or as simple as a Python script or self-recorded macro. You have complete access to almost any part of FreeCAD from the built-in Python interpreter, macros or external scripts, be it geometry creation and transformation, the 2D or 3D representation of that geometry (scenegraph) or even the FreeCAD interface. The software allows import/export to standard formats such as STEP, IGES, OBJ, STL, DXF, SVG, STL, DAE, IFC or OFF, NASTRAN, VRML in addition to FreeCAD’s native FCStd file format. FreeCAD’s installer allows flexible installations on Windows systems. Packages for Ubuntu systems are also available and updated regularly. There is a huge library of external workbenches available for FreeCAD on web. You can download free copy of software from https://www.freecadweb.org/ web link.

      The FreeCAD 0.19 Black Book is the 2nd edition of our series on FreeCAD. This book is written to help beginners in creating some of the most complex solid models. The book follows a step by step methodology. In this book, we have tried to give real-world examples with real challenges in designing. We have tried to cover most of the topics utilized in industries for designing. The book covers almost all the information required by a learner to master the FreeCAD. The book starts with sketching and ends at advanced topics like Path (CAM), and FEM (Simulation). Some of the salient features of this book are :

      In-Depth explanation of concepts

      Every new topic of this book starts with the explanation of the basic concepts. In this way, the user becomes capable of relating the things with real world.

      Topics Covered

      Every chapter starts with a list of topics being covered in that chapter. In this way, the user can easily find the topics of his/her interest easily.

      Instruction through illustration

      The instructions to perform any action are provided by maximum number of illustrations so that the user can perform the actions discussed in the book easily and effectively. There are about 1350 illustrations that make the learning process effective.

      Tutorial point of view

      At the end of concept’s explanation, the tutorial make the understanding of users firm and long lasting. Almost each chapter of the book has tutorials that are real world projects. Moreover most of the tools in this book are discussed in the form of tutorials.

      Project

      Projects and exercises are provided to students for practicing.

      For Faculty

      If you are a faculty member, then you can ask for video tutorials on any of the topic, exercise, tutorial, or concept. As faculty, you can register on our website to get electronic desk copies of our latest books. Faculty resources are available in the Faculty Member page of our website (www.cadcamcaeworks.com) once you login. Note that faculty registration approval is manual and it may take two days for approval before you can access the faculty website.

      Formatting Conventions Used in the Text

      All the key terms like name of button, tool, drop-down etc. are kept bold.

      Free Resources

      Link to the resources used in this book are provided to the users via email. To get the resources, mail us at [email protected] with your contact information. With your contact record with us, you will be provided latest updates and informations regarding various technologies. The format to write us mail for resources is as follows:

      Subject of E-mail as Application for resources of ......................... book.

      Also, given your information like

      Name:

      Course pursuing/Profession:

      Contact Address:

      E-mail ID:

      Note: We respect your privacy and value it. If you do not want to give your personal informations then you can ask for resources without giving your information.

      You can get colored ebook of this paperback from bookstore on our website: www.cadcamcaeworks.com

      About Authors

      The author of this book, Matt Weber, has written more than 16 books on CAD/CAM/CAE available in market. He has coauthored SolidWorks Simulation, SolidWorks Electrical, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, and SolidWorks CAM Black Books. The author has hands on experience on almost all the CAD/CAM/CAE packages. If you have any query/doubt in any CAD/CAM/CAE package, then you can contact the author by writing at [email protected]

      The author of this book, Gaurav Verma, has written and assisted in more than 17 titles in CAD/CAM/CAE which are already available in market. He has authored Autodesk Fusion 360 Black Book, AutoCAD Electrical Black Book, Autodesk Revit Black Books, and so on. He has provided consultant services to many industries in US, Greece, Canada, and UK. He has assisted in preparing many Government aided skill development programs. He has been speaker for Autodesk University, Russia 2014. He has assisted in preparing AutoCAD Electrical course for Autodesk Design Academy. He has worked on Sheetmetal, Forging, Machining, and Casting designs in Design and Development departments of various manufacturing firms.

      For Any query or suggestion

      If you have any query or suggestion, please let us know by mailing us on [email protected]. Your valuable constructive suggestions will be incorporated in our books and your name will be addressed in special thanks area of our books on your confirmation.

      Page left blank intentionally

      Chapter 1

      Starting with FreeCAD

      The major topics covered in this chapter are:

      •Overview of FreeCAD

      •Installing FreeCAD

      •Starting FreeCAD

      •File Menu

      •View Menu

      •Standard Views

      •Freeze Display

      •Draw Style

      •Tools Menu

      •Navigating in the 3D view

      •FreeCAD Interface

      Overview Of FreeCAD

      FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeling application, made primarily to design real-life objects. Parametric modeling describes a certain type of modeling, where the shape of the 3D objects you design are controlled by parameters. For example, the shape of a brick might be controlled by three parameters: height, width, and length. In FreeCAD, as in other parametric modelers, these parameters are part of the object, and stay modifiable at any time, after the object has been created. It connects your entire product development process in a single program that works on all the three major platforms viz. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux; refer to Figure-1.

      FreeCAD is not designed for a particular kind of work or to make a certain kind of objects. Instead, it allows a wide range of uses and permits users to produce models of all sizes and purposes from small electronic components to 3D-printable pieces and all the way up to buildings. Each of these tasks have different dedicated sets of tools and workflows available. Being open-source, FreeCAD benefits from the contributions and efforts of a large community of programmers, enthusiasts, and users worldwide. FreeCAD is essentially an application built by the people who use it, instead of being made by a company trying to sell you a product. And of course, it also means that FreeCAD is free, not only to use but also to distribute, copy, modify, or even sell.

      FreeCAD also benefits from the huge, accumulated experience of the open-source world. In its bowels, it includes several other open source components, as FreeCAD itself can be used as a component in other applications. It also possesses all kinds of features that have become a standard in the open-source world, such as supporting a wide range of file formats being hugely scriptable, customizing, and modifiable. All this is made possible through a dynamic and enthusiast community of users.

      Installing FreeCAD

      • Connect your PC with the internet connection and then go to https://www.freecadweb.org/ as shown in Figure-2.

      • Click on the Download now button, the Downloads tab of this website will be displayed; refer to Figure-3.

      •Select desired Operating System and the type of processor installed on your PC. The software will begin to download.

      •Open the download setup file and follow the instructions as per the setup window. The software will be installed in a couple of minutes.

      Starting FreeCAD

      •To start FreeCAD from Start menu, in Windows 7, click on the Start button in the Taskbar at the bottom left corner, click on All Programs folder and then on FreeCAD folder. If you are using Windows 8 or later then direct click on FreeCAD folder in the Start menu and select the FreeCAD icon; refer to Figure-4. Click on the program name to start the application.

      •On starting the application, the initial screen of the application will be displayed as shown in Figure-5.

      File Menu

      The options in the File menu are used to manage files and related parameters. Various tools of File menu are discussed next.

      New

      The New tool is used for initiating a new document file. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the New tool from the File menu or Ribbon or press Ctrl+N key from keyboard; refer to Figure-6. The new document file will open; refer to Figure-7.

      Open

      The Open tool is used to open FreeCAD files and import files of other CAD applications. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Open tool from the File menu or Ribbon or press CTRL+O key from keyboard; refer to Figure-8. The Open document dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-9.

      •Select desired format of file from the File Type drop-down to define format of file to be opened.

      •Select desired file which you want to open and click on Open button from the dialog box. The file will open.

      Close

      The Close tool is used to close the current file without closing the application. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Close tool from File menu or press Ctrl+F4 key from keyboard; refer to Figure-10. The current file will be closed.

      Close All

      The Close All tool is used to close all the files opened without closing the application. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Close All tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-11. All the files which are currently opened will be closed.

      Save

      The Save tool is used to save the current file opened in the application. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Save tool from File menu or Ribbon or press Ctrl+S key from keyboard; refer to Figure-12. The Save FreeCAD Document dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-13.

      •Specify desired location and name for the file, and click on the Save button from the dialog box to save the file.

      Save As

      Using the Save As tool, you can save the file with different name. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on Save As tool from File menu; refer to Figure-14. The Save FreeCAD Document dialog box will be displayed as shown in Figure-13.

      •Rest of the procedure is same as discussed in the Save tool.

      Save a Copy

      The Save a Copy tool is used to create a copy of the file with new name. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Save a Copy tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-15. The Save FreeCAD Document dialog box will be displayed as shown in Figure-13.

      •Rest of the procedure is same as we have discussed earlier.

      Save All

      The Save All tool is used to save all the documents opened in the application. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Save All tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-16. The Save FreeCAD Document dialog box will be displayed as shown in Figure-13.

      •Rest of the procedure is same as we have discussed earlier.

      Revert

      The Revert tool is used to close the active document and reopen the last saved version of this document. Using this tool, you will lose all the changes you have made since the last file save. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Revert tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-17. The Revert document dialog box will be displayed asking you for the confirmation to discard all the changes; refer to Figure-18.

      •Click on the Yes button from the dialog box to discard all the changes.

      Import

      Many times, importing reduces lots of extra work of rebuilding the base sketch for models. In FreeCAD, we can directly use the CAD files for creating or manipulating the model. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Import tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-19. The Import file dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-20.

      •Select desired format of non-native file which you want to open from the File Type drop-down; refer to Figure-21.

      •Select desired file which you want to import and click on the Open button from the dialog box.

      Export

      The Export tool is used to export existing file in various different formats. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Select the solid part or sketch which you want to export from the Model tab of the Combo View as shown in Figure-22.

      •Click on the Export tool from File menu; refer to Figure-23. The Export file dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-24.

      •Select desired format of file from the Save as type drop-down.

      •Specify desired name for the file in the File name edit box and click on Save button from the dialog box to export the file.

      Merge project

      The Merge project tool is used to add the contents of a FreeCAD file into the active document. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Merge project tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-25. The Merge project dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-26.

      •Select desired file which you want to add in the active document and click on Open button from the dialog box. The model of selected file will be added in the active document.

      Project information

      The Project information tool is used to show the project information in the dialog box belonging to the active document. Some of this information can be edited. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Project information tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-27. The Project information dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-28.

      •Specify and edit the information about the active document as desired and click on OK button from the dialog box.

      Print

      As the name suggests, the Print tool is used to get print out of the model/drawing on paper using printer connected to the system.

      Print Preview

      The Print Preview tool is used to check the print before sending command to printer. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Print preview tool from the File menu; refer to Figure-29. The Print Preview dialog box will be displayed along with the preview of the model; refer to Figure-30.

      •If the preview is satisfactory then click on the Print button otherwise, click on the Close button from the toolbar displayed at the top of the modeling area and modify the model; refer to Figure-30.

      Export PDF

      The Export PDF tool is used to export or save the active document in a pdf file format. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Export PDF tool from File menu; refer to Figure-31. The Export PDF dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-32.

      •Specify desired file name for saving the file as pdf and click on Save button from the dialog box.

      View Menu

      The View menu provides tools to change the 3D view, the view properties of objects in the model, and tools related to the display of interface components. Various tools of View menu are discussed next.

      Create new view

      The Create new view tool is used to create a new 3D view for the active document. It can be useful if you want to inspect the model from multiple directions or at different zoom levels. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Create new view tool from the View menu; refer to Figure-33. A new window will open with the 3D view of an active model; refer to Figure-34.

      Orthographic view

      The Orthographic view tool switches the camera in the active 3D view to orthographic view mode. In this mode, objects that are far from the camera do not appear smaller than those that are closer. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Orthographic view tool from the View menu; refer to Figure-35. An orthographic view of the model will be displayed; refer to Figure-36.

      Perspective view

      The Perspective view tool switches the camera in the active 3D view to perspective view mode. In this mode, objects that are far from the camera appear smaller than those that are closer. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Perspective view tool from the View menu; refer to Figure-37. A perspective view of the model will be displayed; refer to Figure-38.

      Fullscreen

      The Fullscreen tool switches the FreeCAD’s main window in fullscreen mode. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Fullscreen tool from the View menu; refer to Figure-39. The view of the model will be displayed in Fullscreen window; refer to Figure-40.

      Standard Views

      Standard views provide tools to orient the part, assembly, or sketch in one of the preset standard views. The standard views display the model or drawing through one, two, or four viewports.

      Various tools available in the Standard views cascading menu from the View menu; refer to Figure-41, are discussed next.

      •Fit all : The Fit all tool zooms and pans the camera so that all visible objects fit inside the active 3D view.

      •Fit selection : The Fit selection tool zooms and pans the camera so that all selected objects fit inside the active 3D view.

      •Axonometric : The Axonometric cascading menu has three view tools as;

      Isometric View : The Isometric tool realigns the camera in the active 3D view to obtain an isometric view. For a truly isometric view, the 3D view must be in orthographic mode but the tool also works, if the view is in perspective mode.

      Dimetric View : The Dimetric tool realigns the camera in the active 3D view to obtain a dimetric view.

      Trimetric View : The Trimetric tool realigns the camera in the active 3D view to obtain a trimetric view.

      •Front : The Front tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the positive Y axis.

      •Top : The Top tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the negative Z axis.

      •Right : The Right tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the negative X axis.

      •Rear : The Rear tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the negative Y axis.

      •Bottom : The Bottom tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the positive Z axis.

      •Left : The Left tool points the camera in the active 3D view in the direction of the positive X axis.

      •Rotate Left : The Rotate Left tool rotates the camera in the active 3D view around the view direction in 90-degree increments towards the left (counterclockwise).

      •Rotate Right : The Rotate Right tool rotates the camera in the active 3D view around the view direction in 90-degree increments towards the right (clockwise).

      Freeze Display

      FreeCAD can store camera settings for up to 50 ‘frozen views’. Frozen view is the view with current specified orientation which you can restore after the view get disturbed. Frozen views are not stored in the document and if not saved with the Save views menu option, will be lost when the FreeCAD application closes. The tools that deal with frozen views are available in the Freeze display cascading menu from the View menu; refer to Figure-42.

      Save Views

      The Save views tool saves all existing frozen views in a file with the *.cam extension. To use this tool, one or more frozen views must exist. A frozen view can be created with the Freeze view menu option which will be discussed later. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Save views tool from the Freeze display cascading menu. The Save frozen views dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-43.

      •Specify desired name for the file in the File name edit box and click on Save button from the dialog box to save the frozen view.

      Load views

      The Load views tool loads the frozen views from a file with the *.cam extension. Note that when you load a frozen view then all existing frozen views will be deleted. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Load views tool from the Freeze display cascading menu.

      •If the frozen views are saved earlier then the Restore views dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-44, asking you to confirm that you want to lose all existing frozen views.

      •Click on the Yes button from the dialog box, the Restore frozen views dialog box will be displayed; refer to Figure-45.

      •If the frozen views are not saved earlier then also the Restore frozen views dialog box will be displayed.

      •Select the file which you want to restore and click on Open button from the dialog box.

      Freeze view

      The Freeze view tool stores the current camera settings in a new frozen view. You can create maximum 50 frozen views. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Freeze view tool from Freeze display cascading menu. The frozen view of the model will be created; refer to Figure-46.

      Clear views

      The Clear views tool deletes all existing frozen views. Click on the Clear views tool from Freeze display cascading menu, all the existing frozen views will be deleted.

      Restore view

      For each frozen view, a Restore view option is added with which the frozen view can be restored. The procedure to use this tool is discussed next.

      •Click on the Restore view tool from Freeze display cascading menu, the frozen view of the model will be restored; refer to Figure-47.

      DRAW STYLE

      The Draw style tool is used to override the effect of the view display mode property of objects in a 3D view.

      The tools available in the Draw style cascading menu of the View menu; refer to Figure-48, are used to display the model in different draw styles as shown in Figure-49.

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