🧩 Lesson: Getting Started with FreeCAD (Beginner Tutorials)
🎓 Software Focus: FreeCAD (Open-Source Parametric 3D CAD)
🧰 Use Case: Functional design, mechanical parts, parametric modeling
✅ Summary
FreeCAD is a free, open-source, parametric 3D modeler ideal for engineers, makers, and hobbyists. This lesson includes step-by-step beginner tutorials to help students get started with basic modeling tasks and prepare their designs for 3D printing.
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
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Navigate the FreeCAD interface
-
Use basic tools in the Part Design and Sketcher workbenches
-
Create and modify parametric models
-
Export printable files in STL format
-
Design a basic mechanical part using constraints and extrusions
📘 Lesson Content
🧰 1. Installing and Setting Up FreeCAD
Step-by-Step:
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Go to https://www.freecad.org
-
Download the latest stable release for your OS
-
Install and open the software
-
Set the Start Workbench to
Part Design
orSketcher
for faster modeling access
🖥️ 2. User Interface Overview
When FreeCAD launches:
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Combo View (left): shows your project tree and tool panels
-
3D View (center): where you model
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Workbench Selector (top): switch between Sketcher, Part Design, Draft, etc.
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Task Panel: for setting options when tools are selected
📌 Tip: Start with the Part Design and Sketcher workbenches only until you’re more advanced.
✍️ 3. Tutorial 1 – Creating a Basic Block
Goal: Create a simple box with a hole
Steps:
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Create a New Project (
File > New
) -
Switch to the Part Design workbench
-
Click
Create New Body
>Create New Sketch
-
Choose the XY plane
-
Draw a rectangle using the rectangle tool
-
Apply constraints:
-
Select a side, click Length to define it (e.g., 40 mm)
-
Do the same for the other side (e.g., 20 mm)
-
-
Click
Close
to exit Sketch -
Use
Pad
to extrude the rectangle into a box (e.g., 10 mm height) -
Select the top face >
Create Sketch
> Draw a circle -
Add diameter constraint (e.g., 8 mm) > Pad with “Through All” to create a hole
✅ Result: A printable block with a centered hole
🛠️ 4. Tutorial 2 – Parametric Phone Stand
Goal: Create a customizable phone stand using parametric values
Concepts Covered:
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Constraints
-
Angled sketching
-
Mirror and symmetry
-
Chamfer/Fillet features
🧪 This project teaches how to update dimensions later by changing a parameter in the spreadsheet or constraint.
✅ Bonus: Encourage students to export this design for real-world testing.
📦 5. Exporting for 3D Printing
Once your part is ready:
-
Click on the Body in the tree
-
Go to
File > Export
-
Choose STL Mesh (*.stl)
-
Save and open in your slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer, etc.)
⚠️ Ensure you’re exporting the Body and not just the Sketch or Part container.