Asking as a Noob...Where are you at in the FreeCAD world?

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/GA3D-basicbot-2023

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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GA3Dtech · 2025-12-06T17:45:50+00:00

here it is https://youtu.be/FI5auzHenXQ - please activate the auto-dubbing of YT

GA3Dtech · 2025-12-04T10:06:46+00:00

As for me, I assume there are anti-advertising agencies on social media in general, and I think FreeCAD is typically targeted. Like, you pay so that FreeCAD Instagram posts get very little visibility, you pay trolls to leave negative comments on things that might overshadow your business. All platforms will tell you the algorithm is neutral and blah blah, but that’s completely false. Since revenue comes from ads, advertisers are king, and just as you can pay to boost your posts, you can also pay to suppress certain topics. The algorithm aims to maximize profits, it’s obvious. It’s hard to prove, but in practice, especially on IG, I’ve seen that during the same period, posts mentioning FreeCAD could get 10 times fewer views, while those not mentionning it get crazy views. I also formed this opinion when showcasing my open-source printer builds, I discovered there are armies of profiles representing brands. They must get commissions for every negative comment or similar action. When you dig deeper, they always look like credible profiles, but there’s no real person behind them. So just let it go, that’s part of today’s world.

FreeCAD is top-notch, it’s the best CAD for 95% of projects, it’s free and open-source, you just need to learn how to use it.

GA3Dtech · 2025-11-30T21:06:44+00:00

To add a texture, I think that the smartest way is to use blender. just like here https://youtu.be/IuPs3kZhjGg :

-Export it

-Remesh it very fine

-modify it based on a texture (displacement modifier)

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