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Tutorials

This page presents a selection of high-quality written tutorials. A complete, unsorted list of tutorials can be found in Category: Tutorials, a complete and sortable one can be found in the table below.

If you'd like to contribute with writing wiki documentation and tutorials, see the general wiki guidelines in WikiPages, and read the Tutorial guidelines.

Please notice the version of FreeCAD used in the tutorial, as some tutorials may use an old version of the program. Although the general modeling process may still work, some tools may have changed.

See also video tutorials and books.

Architecture and BIM

Arch tutorial
Arch tutorial (v0.14)
This is the essential introduction to the Arch Workbench. It is extensive and showcases a typical workflow, from importing plans in DXF format to building the 3D model.

BIM modelling
BIM modeling
How to model a small house, produce a blueprint with TechDraw, and export to IFC.

Open Windows and Doors
Open windows and doors (v0.18)
How to display windows and doors as open, with elevation and plan symbols, and produce a basic floor plan with TechDraw.

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Design custom windows (v0.18)
How to draw custom doors and windows using the Sketcher, and adjust their normals to correctly place them in walls.

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Arch panel tutorial (v0.15)
Modeling a microhouse roof panel by using the Sketcher, the Window tool, and the Panel tool.

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WikiHouse modelling
Re-modeling the WikiHouse project using sketches and panels, starting from importing a mesh model created in SketchUp.

Modeling parts

FreeCAD provides two main workflows to modeling parts:

Please note that the PartDesign Workbench workflow was considerably changed from FreeCAD 0.17 onward; some of the tutorials haven't been updated and may refer to the 0.16 version.

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Creating a simple part with Part Workbench
An introduction to FreeCAD and Part Workbench using primitive solids.

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Creating a simple part with Draft and Part Workbench
An introduction to modeling solids with Draft Workbench by creating a 2d profile in draft.

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Creating a simple part with PartDesign (v0.17)
An introduction to the PartDesign workflow: tracing a sketch, using pad, pocket, and moving the object.

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Basic Part Design Tutorial (v0.17)
Model a simple part using a feature editing methodology: creating a sketch, using pad, external references, pocket, and mirror.

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Basic Part Design Tutorial 019 (v0.19 or above)
An updated version of the previous tutorial that creates the same model using techniques that avoid the topological naming problem.

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Model an electric toothbrush head stand (v0.16 or above)
Multiple features used: sketch, distance and coincident constraints, pad, external references, fillet, chamfer, linear pattern, and draft.

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Modeling for product design (v0.16) Modeling a Lego block: sketches, vertical and horizontal distance constraints, pad, pocket, external reference, linear pattern, and assembly.

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Traditional modeling, the CSG way
Modeling a table by using simple solids like cubes and cylinders, and performing boolean operations (fusions and cuts) with them.

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Draft ShapeString tutorial (v0.19)
Create engraved text on a solid: extrude a shapestring to make it solid, then use a boolean cut to carve it from another solid.

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Create a wiffle ball (v0.19)
Use solid primitives, like cubes and cylinders, and boolean operations, like union and cut, to create a hollowed ball.

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Basic modeling tutorial
Create an iron angle by two methods: using solid primitives, and boolean operations (CSG); and by extruding a planar profile.

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Aeroplane tutorial
Understand placements in FreeCAD by creating a simple aeroplane model. Then learn about rotation angles, yaw (Z), pitch (Y), and roll (X).

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Thread for screw tutorial (v0.19)
Understand how to create threads with several techniques that include use of the tools Part Helix, PartDesign AdditivePipe, Part Sweep, Part Fuse, and Part Cut.

The Raspberry Pi project has made simple tutorials that are easy to follow, particularly for those new to CAD systems:

Drafting and Sketching

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Traditional 2D drafting
Draw a floor plan with lines, wires, rectangles, circular arcs, and add hatch patterns, annotations, and dimensions. Export the result to DXF.

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Draft tutorial (v0.19)
This is a basic introduction to the tools of the Draft Workbench: working plane, grid, line, arc, upgrade, rectangle, circle, polygon, arrays, dimensions, annotations, and shapestring.

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Sketcher reference (v0.18)
This is a 70-page long PDF document that serves as a detailed manual for the Sketcher Workbench. It explains the basics of Sketcher usage, and goes into a lot of detail about the creation of geometrical shapes, and each of the constraints.

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Basic Sketcher Tutorial (v0.19)
This is a basic introduction to the tools of the Sketcher Workbench: construction mode, line, circle, arc, constraints (equality, vertical, horizontal, tangential, distance, angle, radius).

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Sketcher constraints practices (v0.19)
Learn to efficiently constrain a sketch. Prefer geometric constraints over datum constraints.

Technical Drawings

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Basic TechDraw Tutorial (v0.17)
This is the essential introduction to the tools of the TechDraw Workbench: page, view, scale, vertical and horizontal dimensions, annotations, projection groups, linking dimensions to the 3D view.

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Creating a new background template (v0.17)
Instructions to create a page template in Inkscape for using it with the TechDraw Workbench. Determine the size of the sheet, draw a frame for the page, define fixed text, and editable text fields.

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Measurement Of Angles On Holes (v0.19)
Instructions for adding center lines and subsequent angle representations on holes.

FEM

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CalculiX cantilever FEM analysis (v0.20)
This in an example included in every installation of FreeCAD; it demonstrates a basic analysis with the CalculiX FE solver. Purge the current result, re-run the solver, and view the displacements and stresses in the deformed mesh in the viewport.

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Simple FEM introduction (v0.20)
This is a short introduction to the steps required to perform an analysis in the FEM Workbench: model your object, create a mesh, add constraints and forces, add a material, run the solver, and visualize the results.

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FEM shear analysis of a composite block (v0.17)
Study the deformation of a block made of a hard nucleus surrounded by a softer material: create mesh regions, add materials, set up sliding constraints, add shear loads, run the solver, and visualize the results with a clip plane.

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Analysis of reinforced concrete with FEM (v0.19)
Estimate the level of reinforcement required in a concrete structure to prevent brittle failure under tension or shear.

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Electrostatic equation – Capacitance of two balls (v0.19)
This example shows how to simulate a capacitance. It illustrates how to setup the example, study it's various parts, solve it using the Elmer Solver and visualize the results using Clip Filter.

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Post-Processing of FEM results with Paraview (v0.19)
This tutorial explains the basics of transferring data from the FEM Workbench to Paraview and shows some of the options and settings for displaying data.

CNC & 3D Printing

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Path Workbench for the impatient
This is a quick presentation of the workflow for the Path Workbench: create a job, define the output, define the milling tool, define the path operations, start the simulation, and generate a G-code output file.

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Preparing models for 3D printing (v0.16) Convert a solid object to a mesh object using the Mesh Workbench, export the mesh to STL format, and use Slic3r to prepare the G-code. Alternatively use the Cura Workbench or the Path Workbench to generate the G-code.

Rendering

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Creating renderings
Quickly produce a rendered image of your bodies with POV-Ray and LuxRender, if they are installed in your system.

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Raytracing tutorial (v0.16)
Describes the basic workflow of the Raytracing Workbench using POV-Ray or LuxRender: set the path to the renderers, create a project, set the camera position, select the model, run the renderer.

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Intermediate FreeCAD and POV-ray tutorial (v0.18)
Workflow to produce a better render with POV-Ray: create a project, add objects, set the camera, save the .pov file, manually edit the file to improve the textures, planes, lights, and then run the renderer.

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Rendering a FreeCAD assembly with Blender (v0.18)
Export bodies from FreeCAD to Wavefront .obj, import the file into Blender, set up a simple Sun light, assign basic materials with the Principled BSDF shader, and produce a rendered image with EEVEE and Cycles.

Robot workbench

Development of the Robot Workbench is currently abandoned. Please inquire on our forum regarding any news or alternative workbenches.

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Robot tutorial (v0.17)
Simulate the movement of an industrial robot: set up a trajectory, set up home position, change the robot position, insert various waypoints, and simulate the robot movement.

Scripting

These are tutorials that are related to scripting or programming. They are geared towards more experienced users, who are already somewhat familiar with the program.

Tutorials - Comprehensive list

Here are listed all the tutorials that are not in the manual regardless of their quality. If a tutorial is listed in the Category: Tutorials and not in this table please insert it.

TutorialTopicLevelTime to complete (hh:mm)AuthorsFreeCAD versionExample files
Add Button to FEM Toolbar TutorialFinite Element AnalysisJohnWang
Add FEM Constraint TutorialFinite Element AnalysisM42kus
Add FEM Equation TutorialFinite Element AnalysisJohnWang
Adding a new mouse navigation option to FreeCAD (unfinished)ProgrammingAdvancedKunda10.19.xNone
Advanced Attachment OYXAttachmentIntermediate/Advanceddrmacro0.19None
Advanced TechDraw Tutorial (unfinished)TechDraw WorkbenchAdvanceddomad0.19None
AeroplanePart WorkbenchBeginner0:10Hughthecat
Analysis of reinforced concrete with FEMFinite Element AnalysisIntermediate1:00HarryvL0.19 or above
Arch panel tutorialArch WorkbenchBeginner1:00Yorik
Arch tutorialModelingIntermediateYorik0.14
Basic Attachment TutorialAttachmentBeginner/intermediate1:00Bance0.17 or aboveBasic Attachment Tutorial.FCStd
Basic modeling tutorialModellingBeginner0:15NormandCAnyNone
Basic Part Design Tutorial ModelingBeginnerMark Stephen (Quick61) and HarryGeier0.17 or aboveBasic Part Design for v0.17
Basic Part Design Tutorial 019ModelingBeginner1:00Carlo Dormeletti and Ed Williams0.19 or above
Basic Sketcher TutorialSketcher WorkbenchBeginner1:00Drei and Vocx0.19Basic Sketcher tutorial
Basic TechDraw TutorialTechDraw WorkbenchBeginnerWandererFan0.17 or aboveBasic Part Design for v0.17 Sample Basic TechDraw Tutorial Sample
BIM ingame tutorialArch WorkbenchBeginnerYorik
Code snippetsPythonBeginner
Creating a simple part with Draft and Part WBModelingBeginner1:30Heda--
Creating a simple part with Part WBModelingBeginner2:00Heda--
Creating a simple part with PartDesignModelingBeginner1:00GlouGlou0.17 or aboveCreating a simple PartDesign Body.FCStd
Customize ToolbarsCustomizationBeginner0:05Mario52AnyNone
Draft ShapeString tutorialProduct DesignBeginner0:30r-frank and vocx0.17 or aboveDraft_Shapestring_Text
Draft tutorialDraft WorkbenchBeginner0:30Drei and vocx0.19Draft tutorial updated
Dxf Importer InstallImportIntermediate0:05Mario52AnyNone
Engine Block TutorialPart WorkbenchBeginner1:00Andrewbuck400.14.3700
Example Combined FootingReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Example Slab Having LShape Rebars Reinforcement MeshReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Example Slab Having Mesh Of Straight RebarsReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Example Slab Having UShape Rebars Reinforcement MeshReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Example Slab Spanning in One DirectionReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Example Slab Spanning in Two DirectionsReinforcement WorkbenchIntermediateShiv Charan0.20None
Export to STL or OBJExportBeginner0:20r-frank0.16.6703
Extend FEM ModuleFinite Element AnalysisM42kus
FEM CalculiX Cantilever 3DFinite Element AnalysisBeginner0:10Bernd0.16.6377 or above
FEM Example Capacitance Two BallsFinite Element AnalysisBeginnerSudhanshu Dubey0.19None
FEM Shear of a Composite BlockFinite Element AnalysisBeginner/Intermediate0:30HarryvL0.17.12960 or above
FEM tutorialFinite Element AnalysisBeginner0:10Drei0.17 or above
FEM Tutorial PythonFinite Element AnalysisIntermediate0:30Bernd0.18.15985 or above
FreeCAD-Ship s60 tutorialShip WorkbenchBeginner
FreeCAD-Ship s60 tutorial (II)Ship WorkbenchBeginner
How to install additional workbenchesProgrammingMedium programmer0:15r-frankAnyNone
How to install macrosProgrammingMedium programmer0:15Mario52AnyNone
Import from STL or OBJImportBeginner0:30r-frank0.16.6703
Import OpenSCAD codeImportBeginner0:30r-frank0.16.6704None
Import text and geometry from InkscapeImportBeginner0:30r-frank0.16.6704
Import/Export IFC - compiling IfcOpenShellArch WorkbenchAdvanced2:00Pablo Gil
Measurement Of Angles On Holes TechDraw WorkbenchBeginner0:01AnHi0.19
PartDesign Bearingholder Tutorial IProduct designBeginner1:00NormandC
PartDesign Bearingholder Tutorial IIProduct designBeginner1:00NormandC
PartDesign tutorialSketcher WorkbenchBeginner0:15Drei0.16 or above
Path Walkthrough for the ImpatientPath WorkbenchChrisb
Plot Basic tutorialPlot WorkbenchBeginner
Plot MultiAxes tutorialPlot workbenchIntermediate
Post-Processing of FEM Results with ParaviewFinite Element AnalysisIntermediate2:00HarryvL0.19Beam and wall
Private Preference PacksCustomizationIntermediate/Advanceddrmacro1.0 or above
Python scripting tutorialProgrammingIntermediate
Raytracing tutorialRaytracing WorkbenchBeginner0:10Drei0.16 or above
Robot 6-AxisRobot WorkbenchIntermediate
Robot tutorialRobot WorkbenchBeginnerr-frank
Scripted Parts: Ball Bearing - Part 1PythonBeginner0:30r-frank0.16.6706
Scripted Parts: Ball Bearing - Part 2PythonBeginner0:30r-frank0.16.6706
ScriptsPythonBeginneronekk Carlo0.19
Sketcher Micro Tutorial - Constraint PracticesSketcher WorkbenchBeginner0:30Mark Stephen (Quick61) and vocx0.19Sketcher Constraints practices
Sketcher referenceSketcher Workbench
Sketcher requirement for a sketchSketcher WorkbenchBeginnerMakerNone
Sketcher TutorialSketcher WorkbenchBeginnerUlrich
TechDraw HowTo PageTechDraw Workbench0.19None
TechDraw Pitch CircleTutorialTechDraw WorkbenchBeginner0:10Andergrin0.19
TechDraw TemplateGeneratorTechDraw WorkbenchIntermediateFBXL50.19None
TechDraw TemplateHowToTechDraw WorkbenchIntermediate1:00wandererfan0.17None
Thread for Screw TutorialProduct designAdvanced1:00DeepSOIC, Murdic, vocx0.19Updated: Thread for screw tutorial
Toothbrush Head StandModelingBeginner1:00EmmanuelG0.16 or aboveThingiverse 2403310
Topological data scriptingProgrammingIntermediate
Transient FEM analysisFinite Element Analysis
Tutorial custom placing of windows and doorsArch WorkbenchIntermediate1:00Vocx0.18 or aboveNone
Tutorial for open windowsArch WorkbenchBeginner1:00Vocx0.18 or aboveNone
Tutorial FreeCAD POV rayRaytracing WorkbenchIntermediate2:00Vocx0.18 or aboveNone
Tutorial KinematicAssemblyAssembly3 WorkbenchBeginner0:30FBXL50.20 or aboveNone
Tutorial KinematicControllerProgrammingIntermediate1:00FBXL50.20 or aboveNone
Tutorial KinematicSkeletonAssembly3 WorkbenchIntermediate0:40FBXL50.20None
Tutorial Render with BlenderRenderingIntermediate1:00Vocx0.18 or aboveNone
VRML Preparation for Robot SimulationRobot WorkbenchIntermediate0.11.4252ppa1
Whiffle Ball tutorialProduct designBeginner0:30r-frank and vocx0.17 or aboveWhiffleBall_Tutorial_FCWiki.FCStd
Wikihouse porting tutorialImportIntermediate/Advanced1:00