I've created this github macro, if anyone has any suggestions please give them to me!

https://github.com/drwho495/freecad-assembly-context-macro/tree/main

Update: I just changed the context system so it creates a Part::Feature instead of a link. The part's shape will still be updated when called to by the update feature in my macro.

https://preview.redd.it/k0w1189e6mrc1.jpg?width=547&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5954334fe150e8861e7afce0972820a9f842fd30

Hey guys,

I'm having a weird bug where every time I interact with the task tree on the left side, I return to the Start Page (screen with "Create new" + recent files). It's a very painful bug. I've attached a video of it in action.

Is anyone else having this issue? Where's the best place to report bugs? I see there is a large community of Forums on the freecad website, but nothing clear in the development subcategory.

FreeCAD and Mac version info:

OS: macOS 13.6.5

Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit

Version: 0.21.2.33771 (Git)

Build type: Release

I'm doying a knife on freeCAD and I want to add textures of steel on the blade and wood on the handle. Anyone knows how to add different textures in different parts ?

https://preview.redd.it/ehdkr1kztxqc1.png?width=1296&format=png&auto=webp&s=b5cd65345d9f8f0c4932066fbe1c7c92a4a1c6e3

I want to design a case for an AirPod that I have. I used a reference model that I found available on the internet and measurements that I had on hand. I made 3 sketches of the XY, XZ, and YZ, then used the part intersection tool, and the resulting shape was this. I feel that it doesn't resemble the shape I desire. I have an idea of using primitive elements of parts or even using the sweep. But I would like to know why my design with the sketches and parts failed.

https://file.io/sur7kw13DrRy - document

Last week I installed FreeCAD and started working at Youtube tutorials, etc. I'm not a stranger to CAD, I've used SDRC, Creo, NX, etc. but I tried the "Help" command and got a message that my software wasn't current and I need to install a new version(?) for Help to work. I did so, Help works but now I have one toolbar with which I can't even sketch. If there a resource that guides one on the most basic command setup??

Current Screen Was working to set up an extruded shape before the toolbars disappeared.

I am trying to figure out how to access the transformed placement of linked objects in an Assembly3 workbench assembly, reflecting its new position after all constraints e.g datum point moved to a new position after some assembly constrains.

I am not sure how to access the linked object for this datum point? I only see the original datum point when I go through doc.App in the python console

I am looking for a python console solution to be able to utilize in a macro

Thanks for any pointers or suggestions!

I feel like I'm a fairly competent, hobby-level user. I've done hundreds of projects of all different types, but probably misunderstand a few fundementals of how FreeCAD works. 99% of the time, I create a part then a body, then a sketch, and then select Plane Face: XY_PlaneXXX, (or XZ, or YZ) I know I have attached sketches to faces in the past but I genuinely cant think of a time I've used any of the other Attachment modes. For relationships, I usually handle any translation via the Sketch "Attachment Offset", or the Body/Part "Placement", and make use of functions and references depending on the complexity.

The problem is that if I want to duplicate a part, the Object Selection window that pops up is completely unhinged. There will be a few Parts, Bodies, Pads, etc. but there will be DOZENS of Origins, Planes and Axis, with everything basically dumped out of its container. If I wanted to thoughtfully scroll the list and select only the planes and axis that are actually relevant, it would take forever to make sense of it all. so I either have to copy everything, and create even more origin items, or hit "Use Original Selection" which will typically just give me a broken part. Likewise, if i select a sketch and then hit the ellipses next to Attachment Support in the property viewer, the list to choose from will be thousands of items long.

Is my workflow out to lunch? Is there a preference i should change? Am I wrong to think that displaying mostly unused origin items at a 7:1 ratio for every object in a document is needlessly noisey?

​

https://preview.redd.it/n1th4j1bykqc1.png?width=1318&format=png&auto=webp&s=2ffaaeeffc7e816ae7fd140eae25a13cbbd805a4

https://preview.redd.it/hadhyj1bykqc1.png?width=1325&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c6f5b3c610c5c27a4bbcefd19697b73479d3046

https://youtu.be/5tptTb5-zU8?si=xelNSoTeLRX3I1QT

In solidworks I was able to simply highlight the areas I’d want to pad, but I’m not sure if freecad has that feature. I was thinking I might need to somehow create a new sketch of just this area but I can’t find a tool that can do it. Ideas? Thanks 🙏

How can I create a 2D offset from an existing model? I am trying to make a 3d print case for my keyboard. I exported a .step file of the PCB from kicad. I want to create two offsets from the PCB model to build the case sides. I select the bottom of the PCB, go to 2D Offset, but receive the error: <Exception> makeOffset2D: input shape is not an edge, wire or face or compound of those.

I am very new to this so I am sure there is something basic that I am missing.

Read the details here:

https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?t=86342

I’m looking to add a visible, permanent reference point(or vertex) to an imported file(a lens) in FreeCAD, something more substantial than a datum point. This point needs to stay identifiable when the lens is moved or exported. How can I achieve this? Any advice or steps would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Trying to align some gears to another part in order to do a merge function. But there appears to be no transform option for gears. How do I move those bad boys around?