FreeCAD 1.1: Complete Beginner's Course – No Experience Need

Invoke the Sketcher Workbench to create 2D sketches in the part design workbench, using Create Sketch to select a plane and enter sketching mode with the origin.

Set units in FreeCAD via edit preferences, unit system, and metric settings for millimeters, kilograms, seconds, and degrees; adjust decimals and use the status bar units flyout for current file.

Learn to specify grids and snap settings in FreeCAD for precise sketching in the 3D view. Toggle grids, adjust spacing, enable snap modes, and customize defaults in sketcher preferences.

Draw a line using the create line tool in the sketcher geometry toolbar, specifying start and end points in the 3d view with snap to grid and a horizontal constraint.

Learn to draw arcs in FreeCAD using arc tools, including arc by center, arc by three points, elliptical arc, hyperbolic arc, and parabolic arc.

Master drawing circles and ellipses in FreeCAD using center and three-point methods, then exit tools to proceed to the next video on the B-spline.

Learn to draw b-splines in FreeCAD using control points, knots, and periodic methods, adjust the degree, drag control points, and create seamless closed loops in the 3D view.

Learn to draw a polyline in FreeCAD by combining line and arc segments, switching modes with the M key, and applying perpendicular constraints to connected segments.

Draw rectangles in FreeCAD using the rectangle tool with two opposite corners, or use the centered rectangle tool for a center-based draw, and the rounded rectangle tool for filleted corners.

Learn to draw polygons in FreeCAD using the sketcher geometry tools, from triangle to octagon and the regular polygon tool, by setting center points, previewing, and placing vertices.

Master drawing straight and arc slots in FreeCAD using the sketcher geometry toolbar and the create slot menu, including centers of semicircles, arc radius, angle, and width.

Learn to trim, extend, and split sketch entities in FreeCAD using Trim Edge, Split Edge, and Extend Edge tools. Trim at intersections, split at points, and extend to nearest intersection.

Learn to create construction sketch entities in FreeCAD using the toggle construction geometry tool, switching between construction and solid sketch modes that appear blue and serve as references.

Learn to apply geometric constraints in FreeCAD Sketcher, controlling sketch shape and position with coincident, vertical, horizontal, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, equal, symmetric, and block constraints using tools and shortcuts.

Apply and edit dimensional constraints in FreeCAD using the all-in-one dimension tool to set horizontal, vertical, angular, distance, radius, and diameter constraints, then exit sketch mode to proceed.

Create a FreeCAD sketch in the sketcher workbench on the xz plane using circle, arc, and polyline with tangent and equal constraints, apply auto radius and diameter dimensions, and save.

Create a FreeCAD sketch on the XZ plane in the sketcher workbench, draw concentric circles with defined diameters, trim, constrain, dimension, and save chapter two tutorial two.

Create a pad feature by extruding a closed sketch into a 3d solid, using options like dimension, up to face, two dimensions, and symmetric to plane.

Learn to create a revolution feature in FreeCAD by revolving a closed sketch around an axis, choosing angles, axis options, and asymmetric settings, with real time previews and model integration.

Navigate a 3D model in FreeCAD's 3D view using CAD navigation styles. Pan, zoom, and rotate with mouse controls, and use fit all or fit selection to frame the model.

Explore FreeCAD's standard views—front, top, right, rear, bottom, left—and axonometric views (isometric, dimetric, trimetric), and learn to set the default home view (typically trimetric) via the view menu.

Learn to master FreeCAD's navigation cube to quickly reorient models, switch views, and customize display options, including orthographic, perspective, isometric, fit all, and movable cube settings.

Explore the FreeCAD model display style by toggling points, wireframe, hidden line, no shading, shaded, and flat lines via the Draw Style menu or right-click in the 3D view.

Create a new FreeCAD project, sketch a 100x30 mm rectangle with centered circles, apply constraints, then extrude to a 16 mm pad and save as chapter three tutorial one.

Follow a step-by-step FreeCAD workflow to create a feature using the evolution tool, from new file to sketch with dimension tool and 270-degree revolution, saving as chapter three tutorial two.

Learn to create datum planes in FreeCAD using the datum plane tool, attaching them to edges, vertices, faces, or curves. Apply coplanar, normal, and tangent attachment modes for precise modeling.

Create datum lines and axes in FreeCAD by selecting points or geometry, using attachment modes such as through two points, axis of curvature, tangent, normal, binormal, and principal axes.

Learn to create datum points in FreeCAD at the origin, center of mass, center of curvature, vertices, edges, and conic foci using the datum point tool and various attachment modes.

Learn to create a local coordinate system in FreeCAD, define datum planes, lines, and points, and use translation and rotation to position geometry for machining or analysis.

Create a 3d FreeCAD model using a parametric sketch in the sketcher workbench, with circles by center, polylines, trims, and tangent relation, then extrude to final shape.

Create a multi-feature FreeCAD model by sketching on the yz plane, applying constraints and dimensions, adding arcs, then use the revolution tool and a datum plane to pad the part.

Learn to create a pocket feature in FreeCAD by sketching a closed profile on a model face and applying the pocket tool to remove material.

Create a groove feature in FreeCAD by revolving a closed sketch about the axis to remove material.

Learn to project external geometries onto a FreeCAD sketch using the Create External Geometry tool, creating linked construction lines from model edges or vertices for parametric constraints.

Learn to display a section view in FreeCAD's sketch mode to hide front geometry and clarify your sketch by toggling the view section tool.

Learn to display an earlier state of a FreeCAD model by activating a past feature in the tree view and pressing spacebar to hide later features.

Learn how to delete a feature in FreeCAD by selecting it in Tree View, using the right-click delete option, and handling dependencies via the Object Dependencies dialog.

Learn to edit features and sketches in FreeCAD by selecting items in the model tree, using edit options, and adjusting parameters; switch to sketch editing to update sketches.

Define and customize the display properties in FreeCAD by adjusting appearance, materials, colors, and transparency for bodies or faces.

Learn how to measure geometry parameters in FreeCAD, including distance, angle, length, position, and area for vertices, edges, and faces, using the measure tool and saving results.

Create a parametric FreeCAD model by sketching circles and lines, applying tangent constraints and trims, extruding features, then add a second sketch and groove, and save chapter five tutorial one.

Create a step-by-step FreeCAD model using sketching, constraints, and pocket operations, then apply Chrome appearance and save the project as chapter five, tutorial two.

Create an additive pipe feature in FreeCAD by sweeping a closed profile sketch along a path sketch, adjusting corner transitions, orientation, and optional edges for multi-section designs.

Learn to create a multi-section additive pipe feature in FreeCAD by building a path and multiple profiles, then apply the additive pipe tool with multisection settings.

Learn to create a subtractive pipe feature in FreeCAD by removing material from an existing body with a path and a profile as separate sketches, using the subtractive pipe tool.

Create an additive loft by blending two or more closed sketches to form a solid with a smooth transition, using the additive loft tool and adding sections.

Create a subtractive loft feature in FreeCAD by selecting ellipse, circle, and rectangle profiles on different planes, then use the subtractive loft tool to remove material from an existing body.

Master the additive helix in FreeCAD by sweeping a closed sketch along a helical path, adjusting pitch, height, turns, and radial growth to create springs, coils, or threads.

Learn to create a subtractive helix feature in FreeCAD by sweeping a closed profile along a helical path to remove material, with adjustable axis, modes, and removal options.

Create a helical curve in FreeCAD using the part workbench and helix primitive, adjusting pitch, height, radius, and angle, then use it as a path for a pipe.

Create a parametric pipe in FreeCAD by sketching on the XY plane, applying dimensions and constraints, and using the great circle by center and pipe tools to finalize and save.

Learn to mirror features in FreeCAD using the mirrored tool in the Part Design Workbench, choosing base XY, YZ, or XZ planes and mirroring whole bodies or individual features.

Learn to pattern features in FreeCAD using linear and polar patterns. Select features, set direction, length, and occurrences, and adjust with reverse direction for circular arrays.

Combine mirror, linear, polar, and scaled transformations in FreeCAD to create a multi transform pattern applied sequentially to features.

Demonstrates building a parametric FreeCAD part from sketches and circles, applying constraints, using path and transform tools, polar and mirrored patterns, and saving.

Create a fully constrained FreeCAD model in tutorial two by sketching on the xy plane with imperial units, using rounded rectangles, circles, equal constraints, and pads, path tool and mirror.

Create holes in FreeCAD using the hole tool for standard or custom profiles. Set diameter, depth, through holes, threading, and options like counterbore and countersink.

Master the FreeCAD fillet tool to round sharp edges by selecting edges, faces, or features, adjusting the radius, and previewing results before applying.

Learn to create chamfers in FreeCAD using the chamfer tool to bevel edges for easier assembly and cleaner designs, with equal distance, two distances, or distance-and-angle options.

Create a thick shell model in FreeCAD by turning a solid into a hollow shell with uniform wall thickness using the thickness tool and removing faces.

Learn how to add an angular draft in FreeCAD by selecting faces, choosing a neutral plane, and setting a pull direction and draft angle to create a taper.

Create a FreeCAD 3d model by sketching on the yz plane with imperial decimal units, then extrude features, apply polar patterns and pockets, and save as chapter eight tutorial one.

Create a fully constrained FreeCAD model by sketching on the xz plane, extruding, adding a hole, applying a linear pattern and mirror, and saving as chapter eight tutorial two.

Students learn to build mechanical assemblies in FreeCAD using top-down and bottom-up approaches, creating parts as bodies, sketching on planes, and extruding with pad tools to assemble in context.

Create an assembly in FreeCAD using the bottom-up approach by inserting components, fixing the first part, and positioning them with translation and rotation handles.

Use the Assembly Joints toolbar to create a fixed joint by placing two connectors, then adjust rotation and offsets to lock components and remove all degrees of freedom.

Apply the revolute joint in FreeCAD to let one component rotate around an axis while fixing all other directions, using joint connectors on two components and offset and rotation limits.

Apply a cylindrical joint in FreeCAD to constrain a component to one rotation and one translation along an axis. Define joint connectors on both components and set limits as needed.

Apply the slider joint in FreeCAD to constrain two components to a single translational axis, with rotation options and min/max translational limits.

Apply a ball joint in FreeCAD to allow rotation about all three axes around a fixed center defined by joint connectors, with no translation.

Create a single cylinder engine in FreeCAD using a bottom-up assembly, inserting crankcase, crankshaft, piston, and connecting rod with revolute joints and a slider joint to simulate piston motion.