this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2024
18 points (100.0% liked)
FreeCAD
856 readers
2 users here now
Your own 3D parametric modeler.
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
When I'm using FreeCAD, I'll use a spreadsheet for all of my variables, so everything is linked together by formulas. Next, I'll use datum planes rather than drawing directly on object faces (which completely solves topological naming), although I wouldn't attach the plane to the surface--just geometrically define the distance and angle in the spreadsheet and reference it directly (e.g. if I want a datum plane halfway up my object, I'll make its height h/2)
Ohhh, that's brilliant! I've been using named sketch constraints and then formulas referencing those so far, but AFAICT you can't seem to name the parameters in pads/pockets/etc? Using a spreadsheet sounds much better, thanks!