FreeCAD Review
What is FreeCAD?
FreeCAD is a customizable, open-source (LGPL v2 license) parametric 3D modeler designed primarily for product design and mechanical engineering. It’s extensible and scriptable CAD software that can be expanded to handle a spectrum of design functions around other engineering specialties including electrical or architectural engineering. The solution is made to craft real-life objects of varying sizes and is ideal for a home user/hobbyist, programmer, experienced CAD user, or educator.
The application provides a toolkit similar to SolidWorks, Catia, or Solid Edge, which automatically qualifies it into the class of CAx, PLM, and MCAD. Its architecture makes it possible to deliver additional functionality without altering the core system. The program is fully multi-platform, and it runs impeccably on Windows, Mac, and Linux. In addition, FreeCAD supports multiple open file formats including STL, IGES, STEP, DXF, IFC, OBJ, DAE, etc.
Show MoreOverview of FreeCAD Benefits
FreeCAD is a general purpose, feature-based 3D parametric modeler that adopts a modular software architecture. Its architecture allows you to extend functionality by adding plugins. It permits you to add extensions as simple as self-recorded macros or Python scripts, or as complex as C++ programmed applications. The application accords you complete access to any aspect of FreeCAD including the Python built-in interpreter and external/macros scripts.
The software runs on a fully parametric model. This simplifies design workflows and allows you to modify the design by referring to your model history before adjusting the parameters. FreeCAD features natively parametric objects which mean their shapes can depend on those of others or even be based on specific properties. Adding new images is a breeze, and users can even fully program them in Python.
FreeCAD comes with a complete Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is based on the Qt framework. It features an Open Inventor-based 3D viewer which allows manageable scene graph representation and fast rendering of three-dimensional scenes. The tools on the interface are classified by workbenches to maintain a highly responsive and uncluttered workspace. The classification allows the display of only the tools you require to accomplish specific tasks.
Additionally, the software has a built-in Python Interpreter as well as a reliable API that handles every aspect of the application, geometry, interface, and geometry representation on the 3D viewer. The geometry kernel that is based on Open CASCADE technology permits complex 3D procedures of compound shapes with built-in support for concepts such as surfaces, nurbs, and breps. It also exhibits native support of IGES and STEP formats, fillets, Boolean operations, and multiple geometric entities.
Show MoreOverview of FreeCAD Features
- Geometry kernel
- Full parametric model
- Modular architecture
- Standard formats
- Sketcher
- Robot simulation
- Rendering
- Architecture
- Path mode
FreeCAD Position In Our Categories
Keeping in mind companies have unique business requirements, it is only sensible that they abstain from choosing a one-size-fits-all, “perfect” software system. Be that as it may, it would be futile to try to chance on such a software product even among recognizable software systems. The logical step to undertake can be to narrow down the several essential functions which need examination such as major features, plans, technical skill aptitude of staff, business size, etc. The second step is, you should do the product research thoroughly. Read some FreeCAD evaluations and explore the other software products in your shortlist in detail. Such comprehensive research can make sure you avoid unsuitable software solutions and buy the one which meets all the function your business requires.
Position of FreeCAD in our main categories:
TOP
50
FreeCAD is one of the top 50 CAD Software products
Since each organization has specific business needs, it is advisable for them to refrain from seeking a one-size-fits-all perfect software solution. Needless to say, it would be useless to try to find such an app even among widely used software platforms. The intelligent thing to do would be to jot down the various essential elements that need consideration such as key features, finances, skill levels of staff members, company size etc. Then, you should do your homework thoroughly. Read some FreeCAD CAD Software reviews and check out each of the other solutions in your shortlist in detail. Such exhaustive groundwork can make certain you discard ill-fitting platforms and select the solution that offers all the aspects you require for business success.
How Much Does FreeCAD Cost?
FreeCAD Pricing Plans:
Free Trial
Quote-based Plan
Contact vendor
What are FreeCAD pricing details?
FreeCAD Pricing Plans:
Free Trial
Quote-based Plan
Contact vendor
Contact the vendor for their custom enterprise pricing details and other product information.
User Satisfaction
Positive Social Media Mentions
37
Negative Social Media Mentions
0
We know that when you choose to get a CAD Software it’s important not only to learn how professionals rank it in their reviews, but also to check whether the real users and companies that use this software are genuinely satisfied with the product. Because of that need we’ve devised our behavior-based Customer Satisfaction Algorithm™ that gathers customer reviews, comments and FreeCAD reviews across a broad range of social media sites. The information is then featured in an easy to understand format showing how many people had positive and negative experience with FreeCAD. With that information at hand you should be ready to make an informed business decision that you won’t regret.
Video
Technical details
Devices Supported
- Windows
- Linux
- Mac
Deployment
- On Premise
Language Support
- English
- Dutch
- Polish
- Turkish
- Swedish
Pricing Model
- Quote-based
Customer Types
- Small Business
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
What Support Does This Vendor Offer?
- phone
- live support
- training
- tickets
What integrations are available for FreeCAD?
No available information.
FreeCAD User Reviews
FreeCAD average rating:
4/5
Overall impression
5/5
Customer Support
4/5
Value for Money
3/5
Ease of Use
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ADD A REVIEWMore reviews from 1 actual users:
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A naive review of FreeCAD
Read full review >
4/5
Overall impression
3/5
Customer Support
5/5
Value for Money
4/5
Ease of Use
Published on: 29.05.2021
Company Size: 1-10 Employees
Industry: Information Technology and Services
PROS: Free. I managed to complete my design without any prior knowledge within a couple of hours (I have very little CAD experience, but I do some 2D graphic design from time to time, and I'm a programmer). I often give a new tool a little time so that I can adapt to its unique workflow (I use GIMP, after all) and I will be using FreeCAD again very soon. FreeCAD didn't crash on me, and is fairly lightweight.
CONS: The tool isn't very well suited to performing actions on multiple objects at the same time (yet, or at least in my very limited experience). You can't interact with all screen elements, so in that respect it's a bit counter-intuitive, but there are alternative ways of, for instance, change camera angle or panning or zooming, with well-defined mouse/keyboard combinations
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FreeCAD user reviews
A naive review of FreeCAD
Read full review >
4/5
Overall impression
3/5
Customer Support
5/5
Value for Money
4/5
Ease of Use
Published on: 29.05.2021
Company Size: 1-10 Employees
Industry: Information Technology and Services
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