Learn how to navigate FreeCAD efficiently with this step-by-step guide. From installation to advanced features, become a FreeCAD pro in no time!

Introduction to FreeCAD: A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide
FreeCAD is an open-source 3D CAD modeler that helps engineers, designers, and hobbyists to create 3D models for various applications. It is packed with features and tools that allow you to design complex geometries, customize parameters, and visualize your designs in a user-friendly interface. In this guide, we will walk you through the essential steps to get started with FreeCAD, from installation to basic modeling techniques.

FreeCAD is a powerful and versatile design tool that caters to both beginners and experienced users. By configuring preferences, using workbenches effectively, and understanding essential sketching and modeling tools, you can achieve great results in your design projects.

Downloading and Installing FreeCAD
Getting started with FreeCAD is straightforward. First, visit the FreeCAD website where you can find the latest stable version of the software. The link is typically provided in the video description or on the website itself. Once you locate the latest stable version number, scroll down to see what’s new in this version.

Choosing the Correct Version
Before downloading, ensure you select the version appropriate for your operating system. For this guide, we will use the Windows 64-bit installer. However, FreeCAD is available for other platforms such as macOS and Linux.

Running the Installation
Upon downloading, run the installation file to set up FreeCAD on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. Once installed, launch FreeCAD to begin configuring the software to suit your preferences.

In 2024 i stumbled upon Ondsel, an engineering suite running on FreeCAD. Here you can read what it is and maybe you can watch some of my Ondsel tutorials on my YouTube channel if you’re interested!

In the world of computer-aided design (CAD), FreeCAD has made a name for itself as a powerful, open-source tool that caters to a wide range of design needs. From hobbyists working on personal projects to professionals engaged in complex engineering tasks, FreeCAD’s versatility and extensibility make it a favorite among CAD enthusiasts. Now, with the introduction of Ondsel ES, FreeCAD users have even more reason to celebrate. Ondsel ES brings a host of enhancements that significantly elevate the capabilities of FreeCAD, making it more robust, efficient, and user-friendly.

By integrating Ondsel ES with FreeCAD, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of open-source software combined with the advanced features and support of a professional-grade tool.

Ondsel ES (Enterprise Suite) is a comprehensive set of tools and extensions designed to integrate seamlessly with FreeCAD, transforming it into a more powerful and enterprise-ready CAD solution. While FreeCAD provides a solid foundation with its modular architecture and extensive feature set, Ondsel ES takes it a step further by adding functionalities that cater to the needs of professional designers and engineers.

Always wanted to track your followers live at your desk? It’s possible with the LaMetric TIME! Power it up, connect it to your Wi-Fi, install the apps you want and start tracking.

The LaMetric TIME is a device where you can track your followers live at a glimpse. Don’t want to look up the number of followers of your YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram account or TikTok account each time? By installing several apps, you can let those numbers scroll over your desk!

It has built in speakers, which don’t have a great sound quality. But if you don’t care too much about that, it can be fun to stream your favorite Spotify playlists through the LaMetric TIME!

You can also track the Bitcoin price, show a custom made clock, stream music through Spotify or show a custom message to others for example. It has built in speakers, which don’t have a great sound quality. But if you don’t care too much about that, it can be fun to stream your favorite Spotify playlists through the LaMetric TIME!

With the cost of around $200,- this gadget cannot be called cheap. I am satisfied with the purchase, despite its price. The fact that i can see my followers in a glimpse is worth everything for me. Also some other apps are fun to try. Interested in buying this cool gadget? You can shop through my affilitate link on eBay without extra costs. You can read more information about affiliate links on this page of my website.

I also made a short video to get you an impression on how it looks like on a desk.

A great thing about FreeCAD is that you can add many workbenches in addition to the standard ones. If you create your designs in the Part Design workbench for example, you can download and install a Fasteners workbench to manage your screws and bolts for your project!

When in FreeCAD, select the ‘Tools’ tab and click on ‘Addon manager’. If you don’t see all workbenches appear, don’t worry! It seems to be a FreeCAD 0.18 problem. From version 0.19, the problem should be solved.

The video is on the AllVisuals4U YouTube channel. If you want to see more FreeCAD tutorials? I made a lot of them, so if you want to check them out, i would be thankful!

So now you can install all the available workbenches you need for your CAD project. Below, you can watch the video where i demonstrate how to install a workbench in FreeCAD.

DXF is a very popular file type when you are familiar with CAD. FreeCAD can import DXF files, but you have to change a few settings in the preferences menu.

When in FreeCAD, go to ‘Edit’ and click on ‘Preferences’. Then go to ‘Import-Export’ and select the DXF tab. Here you can set several preferences for importing these DXF files. You can choose to let this menu appear everytime you import a DXF file for example. Also several import settings are located here.

The video is on the AllVisuals4U YouTube channel. If you want to see more FreeCAD tutorials? I made a lot of them, so if you want to check them out, i would be thankful!

Below, you can watch the video where i demonstrate how to import a DXF file in FreeCAD. I also show you how you can extrude the contours of the DXF file to a 3D object!

I think a lot of you want to create real modeled threads in free CAD software. I made a tutorial video about this and you can watch it on my channel or below! The software i used in this video is FreeCAD.

I noticed that my current FreeCAD version, 0.19, was not able to create real modeled threads. Then i dowloaded a pre-release version of FreeCAD 0.20 here. It seems that in this version, you can select to model a real thread in 3D, which could be very useful for many users. I used the Hole feature for this.

The video is on the AllVisuals4U YouTube channel. If you want to see more FreeCAD tutorials? I made a lot of them, so if you want to check them out, i would be thankful!

Below, you can watch the video where i show how to make real threads in FreeCAD. It consists of step by step subtitles, a relaxing background tune and some great knowledge!

When i started 3D printing, i was looking for some free software to use. I came across FreeCAD and started to look into it. After learning this software myself , i started to use it for creating my 3D models to print.

A big advantage of FreeCAD is that it’s completely free and new versions are released over time. You don’t need to buy an expensive license to use this CAD software. I already had experience with parametrtic 3D modeling, so i thought FreeCAD will be it for me and dived into it!

Then i started to create FreeCAD video tutorials. I want to document everything i learn about this software, so all my findings about FreeCAD are sorted out in several video playlists. I have covered many kinds of FreeCAD videos, like 3D modeling, courses, 3D printing, quick tips and tricks and more!

I hope you can get used to FreeCAD by watching my free online video series. Click the playlists in this post or search for AllVisuals4U on the web!

Below, you can find the playlist of my free online video courses. The videos are made with appropriate background music, together with subtitles. The first video (1.1) will cover the most basic actions you have to perform in FreeCAD.