FreeCAD is a general-purpose parametric CAD system with open source codes (based on the LGPLv 2+ license). The basis of geometric modeling of solids in FreeCAD is the principle of boundary representation , at the same time there is support for polygonal meshes . The geometric core of FreeCAD is OpenCASCADE . In addition to mechanical engineering tasks, FreeCAD can be used for tasks such as architectural design , or finite element engineering analysis. FreeCAD is currently in beta design.
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Content
General Provisions
Among specialists from a number of industries, the problem of creating a full-fledged CAD system within the framework of open source is known, and although FreeCAD was not yet a candidate for such “full value” at the time of writing this product can be considered as one of the attempts to create a base for solving this problem. FreeCAD developer Jürgen Rigel, who works at DaimlerChrysler Corporation, is positioning his program as the first free mechanics design tool (comparing his product with such developed closed systems as CATIA versions 4 and 5, SolidWorks ), created on the basis of the Open CASCADE library . The purpose of the program is to provide the basic tools of this library in an interactive mode.
(It should be noted that there is another software product called freeCAD , its developer is Aik-Siong Koh, and it is not associated with FreeCAD by Jürgen Rigel.)
FreeCAD Modularity
The modularity of FreeCAD is a feature of this, and some other programs, expressed in the fact that a separate part of the program is intended for a specific task, quite separate from the rest of the programs - this makes the program understandable and easy to use, makes it possible to use it in many areas of activity.
An example of a program’s modularity is some modules implemented in a program (a full list of modules is on its own website for this program):
- The Drawing module allows you to project a three-dimensional model onto a drawing sheet.
- The Rendering module can export 3D objects for rendering to external programs.
- The Architecture module allows you to work with BIM (building information model), compatible with the IFC format.
Application Program
Identification of areas of human activity in which, thanks to its own modular structure, the FreeCAD program can be applied.
To determine the possibility of applying this program in a particular field of activity, it is necessary to determine the availability and degree of readiness for the application of all its modules that may be required for this activity. It should be remembered that the program and modules are constantly evolving and over the several years that have passed since the previous assessment was conducted, the situation can change dramatically.
You should also compare the FreeCAD program with specialized tools - in order to determine the best option for the final choice: FreeCAD or a set of very highly specialized independent programs.
You should consider the possibility of complex use of the FreeCAD program - use in combination with other programs, so that the combination of programs maximally compensates for the shortcomings of individual programs included in it, maximizes the advantages and exactly matches the requirements presented to the program or their complex.
Example: the methodology for choosing programs for architectural and construction work to work in the organization.
The FreeCAD program has the aforementioned “Architecture” module for working with the building information modeling (BIM). Specialized programs - there are at least 6 publicly available programs [7] (or, taking into account OpenBIM - already 7 [8] ), suitable for construction and architectural works.
Thus, a certain range of software tools is defined. The next steps are to identify the necessary requirements so that it is possible to filter out software tools or combinations of various software tools and to determine and test them in order to establish whether each candidate program has fulfilled the required values, then to determine which combinations of various software tools best match previously defined ones requirements, then - screen out candidates (both single-player programs and their combinations). Then it is necessary to draw up the decision, indicating the grounds, the arguments for the final decision. Registration is made in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, for example, in the form of a decision of the test or competition commission.
See also
- Salome
- freeCAD (AS. Koh's) - freeCAD by Aik-Siong Koh (AS. Koh)
- pythonOCC [9] - 3D CAD using the Python programming language.
Notes
- ↑ Release history
- ↑ Release 0.18.3 - 2019.
- ↑ The freecad Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page - 2006.
- ↑ http://listoffreeware.com/best-free-obj-viewer-software-windows/
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Manual:Import_and_export_to_other_filetypes
- ↑ About FreeCAD
- ↑ Rachel Burger. The Top 6 Free and Open Source BIM Software Tools . blog.capterra.com (November 24, 2015). Date of appeal September 21, 2016.
- ↑ Léon Berlo. Open source BIM collective . fr.slideshare.net (October 26, 2011). Date of appeal September 21, 2016.
- ↑ pythonOCC, 3D CAD / CAE / PLM development framework for the Python programming language (unspecified) ? . www.pythonocc.org. Date of treatment February 7, 2017.