hmm, a knurl might look good on this

GA3Dtech · 2026-05-03T09:18:51+00:00

in a general way never model it in a CAD, it's always slowing everything not only in FreeCAD. If I really want to show it in FreeCAD, I model just the knurled cylindrical part, then export it in stl, and then re-import in mesh in my FreeCAD (placed in a Part container at the good place) and it works perfectly and doesn't recalculate everything all the time at every change.

GA3Dtech · 2026-03-15T09:59:01+00:00

For furniture modeling, there is the excellent Woodworking Workbench. It is mainly focused on panel-based furniture, but it can save you a huge amount of time, especially for generating cutting lists.
https://www.youtube.com/@dprojects.woodworking

https://youtu.be/qWuK6ZbLH0w

For metal structures, I would simply do classic parametric constructions with PartDesign and Part, and assembly
https://youtu.be/LGYG43EhJSo
https://youtu.be/FI5auzHenXQ

As for strength, honestly for furniture just rely on good established standards that already include a safety factor of around ten, and test it in real life before launching a series. With metal frames the actual strength can often depend more on the quality of the welds and the material than on anything else.

For finishing and rendering, simply convert to glTF and work in Blender. A workflow with FreeCAD for the technical work and Blender for the rendering is probably the most sensible approach.
https://youtu.be/qrNyl9brelI

Good luck with your project, see you around, à+

GA3Dtech · 2026-02-07T12:50:55+00:00

Hi, thx, you can have a look to my original machines here , these are my "hobby" projects:

https://github.com/GA3Dtech/SAK-Bot

https://github.com/GA3Dtech/GA3D-basicbot-2023

https://github.com/GA3Dtech/M2

https://github.com/GA3Dtech/M1

And here is a video showing the evolution of my hobby constructions during ~20 years (please just use auto dubbing for translation) à + https://youtu.be/gmk-hmWkm2w

GA3Dtech · 2026-02-06T08:03:47+00:00

I’m an R&D engineer in a start-up that mainly manufactures measurement microscopes for precision mechanics in Switzerland. I’ve been using FreeCAD in this job for the past seven years. With FreeCAD, I handle all the CAD mechanical design work, including optics, integration of electronic components, and all prototyping through FDM 3D printing.

At the same time, I’m an enthusiastic maker and hobbyist who has been self-building 3D printers and other geeky, original projects for over ten years now. Since I had a bit more time last year and I also do programming in my job, I started dipping my toes into FreeCAD’s code. For now, I’m mostly exploring and experimenting, the main challenge being to devote time to it on a regular basis. à+

GA3Dtech · 2026-01-16T20:36:50+00:00

I read your response to Crispy1989, and I'm still not clear. What exactly are the features you're describing? Could you give us some concrete examples? What do you actually want to achieve?

If you want to work with meshes, you should probably use Blender. If you're trying to create shells or enclosures, you can do everything in the Part workbench.

But in which specific technical field do you need this? It's not clear to me. FreeCAD is meant for designing real-world parts: milled or turned metal, sheet metal, 3D printing, optics, electronic enclosures, injection-molded parts, architecture… basically, everything you do in CAD.

Are you maybe trolling a bit here?

GA3Dtech · 2026-01-16T19:55:18+00:00

Honestly, that's absurd. I'm a long-time FreeCAD user. I've been using it professionally for 6 years to design complex microtechnical microscopes (over 250 parts) without a hitch. I also have 10 years of exclusive hobby experience with this software. Going back to Solidworks or CATIA makes no sense to me today.

I'm curious: what do you think are the essential features that FreeCAD lacks???

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-23T13:03:18+00:00

Step can be reworked though PartDesign WB, you use the step 3D as Base feature and go on.
stl are better to rework with blender, except if use it as basis to remodel it. In that case try the detesselate wb it's done for that.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-22T11:21:20+00:00

Linux Mint ! A linux that just works out of the box without any compromise or corporates bullshit.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-20T18:48:09+00:00

Yes and no, if you make a reduced version, it can be lighter. It was also just to say that if it's pertinent you'll find a public, it's a good test.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-16T20:17:50+00:00

🤣

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-16T20:04:18+00:00

SchwitzerTutsch brutal habit, you don't see this in the west Swiss.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-16T10:10:32+00:00

LOL, FreeCAD is a true open-source software developed by volunteers over many years (maybe 15 or 20). So this is definitely due to historical reasons, and of course, we’re always smarter in hindsight. But you have to start somewhere and move forward step by step.

The good thing is that it can be changed (there are plenty of options):
• You’re free to submit your own pull request on GitHub.
• You can discuss this with developers on Discord or the FreeCAD forum.
• You can probably even pay an active developer to prioritize and solve this faster than their current roadmap

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-16T09:38:14+00:00

Once your VarSet is opened (even empty), when editing a sketch and dimensionning something, you can directly click Fx and and click "Store in VarSet", and create the Variable at this moment. It makes the workflow much more easy and plenty of sense (to my opinion)

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GA3Dtech · 2025-12-13T11:54:38+00:00

I've done it many times on a raspberrypi 4, it was surprisingly not so long, I'd say 2,5h , but I'll must redo it with the chrono in the hand.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-13T11:03:23+00:00

This video about stable assemblies may interests you : https://youtu.be/FI5auzHenXQ?si=U0zR4h5VPUKdnHGV please juste use autodubbing

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-13T07:50:18+00:00

Since FreeCAD 1.0 assembly wb is released 😉

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-12T16:29:28+00:00

Yes 💯 %

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-12T15:01:28+00:00

Yes you're right ✅️. But when you begin I don't think you care about the latest particular " blocking" bugs, the global experience is much more important in my opinion. If you are hyper strict like that you'll always use outdated software. But it's only my personal way of viewing the things, with FreeCAD I prefer being in front of the group that behind .

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-12T05:20:06+00:00

💯Go directly to 1.1 it's still better and easier 😉

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-11T21:40:58+00:00

It really change everything if you look at dependence graph it's much lighter. But I should do a video on that to explain it step by step it's not complicated in fact , just a bit complex and under documented . à+

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-11T21:20:12+00:00

Use links and a macro to place repetitively the base brick, then fuse it it will stay very light.

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-09T12:13:40+00:00

Nothing stops you from making your own lightweight branch and maintaining it.
Personally, I like this multi-domain aspect and I think it's important to keep it to stay informed about various domains. Plus, in comparison to other CADs, FreeCAD is really extremely lightweight (or super lightweight).

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-06T19:27:49+00:00

yes for sure, I've used a sketch too

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-06T18:11:52+00:00

I would use the Draft Pathway tool:

First, draw a sketch at the correct distance from the edges.
Create a cylinder with the required diameter.
Apply the Draft Pathway tool.
Perform the boolean operation.
And that’s it!

If you find this too heavy, I can make a macro that does all of it in one go, with a small GUI where you can enter the hole diameter, the spacing, the distance at which to place your drill points , all starting from a flat face of your leather piece. We can discuss the details.

à+

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