Draft Workbench: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(Draft Join and Draft Split were introduced in version 0.18)
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The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar to Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the [[Part Workbench|Part]] and [[Arch Workbench|Arch Workbench]]]]es. Conversion of Draft objects to [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketches]] is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]] for the creation of solid bodies.
The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar to Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the [[Part Workbench|Part]] and [[Arch Workbench|Arch Workbench]]es. Conversion of Draft objects to [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketches]] is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign Workbench]] for the creation of solid bodies.


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FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and [[DXF]] files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibreCAD LibreCAD], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QCad QCad], TurboCad, and others.
FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and [[DXF|DXF]] files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibreCAD LibreCAD], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QCad QCad], TurboCad, and others.


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[[Image:Draft_Workbench_Example.png|600px]]
[[Image:Draft_Workbench_Example.png|600px|Draft Workbench Example]]
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* [[Image:Draft_Line.png|32px]] [[Draft_Line|Line]]: draws a line segment between two points.
* [[Image:Draft_Line.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Line|Line]]: draws a line segment between two points.
* [[Image:Draft_Wire.png|32px]] [[Draft_Wire|Wire]]: draws a line made of multiple line segments (polyline).
* [[Image:Draft_Wire.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Wire|Polyline]]: draws a line made of multiple line segments (polyline).
* [[Image:Draft_Circle.png|32px]] [[Draft_Circle|Circle]]: draws a circle from center and radius.
* [[Image:Draft_Fillet.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Fillet|Fillet]]: draws a fillet (rounded corner) or a chamfer (straight line) between two simple [[Draft_Line|Lines]]. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_Arc.png|32px]] [[Draft_Arc|Arc]]: draws an arc segment from center, radius, start angle and end angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Circle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Circle|Circle]]: draws a circle from center and radius.
* [[Image:Draft_Ellipse.png|32px]] [[Draft_Ellipse|Ellipse]]: draws an ellipse from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_Arc.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc|Arc]]: draws an arc segment from center, radius, start angle and end angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Polygon.png|32px]] [[Draft_Polygon|Polygon]]: draws a regular polygon from center, radius, and number of sides.
* [[Image:Draft_Arc_3Points.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc_3Points|Arc 3Points]]: draws a circular arc segment from three points that are located in the circumference. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_Rectangle.png|32px]] [[Draft_Rectangle|Rectangle]]: draws a rectangle from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_Ellipse.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Ellipse|Ellipse]]: draws an ellipse from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_Text.png|32px]] [[Draft_Text|Text]]: draws a multi-line text annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_Polygon.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Polygon|Polygon]]: draws a regular polygon from center, radius, and number of sides.
* [[Image:Draft_Dimension.png|32px]] [[Draft_Dimension|Dimension]]: draws a dimension annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_Rectangle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rectangle|Rectangle]]: draws a rectangle from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_BSpline.png|32px]] [[Draft_BSpline|BSpline]]: draws a B-Spline from a series of points.
* [[Image:Draft_Text.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Text|Text]]: draws a multi-line text annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_Point.png|32px]] [[Draft_Point|Point]]: inserts a point object.
* [[Image:Draft_Dimension.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Dimension|Dimension]]: draws a dimension annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_ShapeString.png|32px]] [[Draft_ShapeString|ShapeString]]: inserts a compound shape representing a text string at a given point.
* [[Image:Draft_BSpline.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BSpline|BSpline]]: draws a B-Spline from a series of points.
* [[Image:Draft_Facebinder.png|32px]] [[Draft_Facebinder|Facebinder]]: creates a new object from selected faces on existing objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Point.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Point|Point]]: inserts a point object.
* [[Image:Draft_BezCurve.png|32px]] [[Draft_BezCurve|Bezier Curve]]: draws a Bezier curve from a series of points.
* [[Image:Draft_ShapeString.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShapeString|ShapeString]]: inserts a compound shape representing a text string at a given point.
* [[Image:Draft_Label.png|32px]] [[Draft_Label|Label]]: places a label with an arrow pointing to a selected element. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Facebinder.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Facebinder|Facebinder]]: creates a new object from selected faces on existing objects.
* [[Image:Draft_CubicBezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CubicBezCurve|Cubic Bezier Curve]]: draws a Bezier curve of third degree by dragging two points. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_BezCurve.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BezCurve|Bezier Curve]]: draws a Bezier curve from a series of points.
* [[Image:Draft_Label.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Label|Label]]: places a label with an arrow pointing to a selected element. {{Version|0.17}}


== Modifying objects == <!--T:19-->
== Modifying objects == <!--T:19-->
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* [[Image:Draft_Move.png|32px]] [[Draft_Move|Move]]: moves objects from one location to another.
* [[Image:Draft_Move.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Move|Move]]: moves objects from one location to another.
* [[Image:Draft_Rotate.png|32px]] [[Draft_Rotate|Rotate]]: rotates objects from a start angle to an end angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Rotate.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rotate|Rotate]]: rotates objects from a start angle to an end angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Offset.png|32px]] [[Draft_Offset|Offset]]: offsets segments of an object a certain distance.
* [[Image:Draft_Offset.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Offset|Offset]]: offsets segments of an object a certain distance.
* [[Image:Draft_Trimex.png|32px]] [[Draft_Trimex|Trim/Extend (Trimex)]]: trims or extends an object.
* [[Image:Draft_Trimex.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Trimex|Trim/Extend (Trimex)]]: trims or extends an object.
* [[Image:Draft_Join.png|32px]] [[Draft_Join|Join]]: joins lines together into a single wire. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_Join.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Join|Join]]: joins lines together into a single wire. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_Split.png|32px]] [[Draft_Split|Split]]: splits a wire into two at a point. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_Split.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Split|Split]]: splits a wire into two at a point. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_Upgrade.png|32px]] [[Draft_Upgrade|Upgrade]]: upgrades objects into a higher-level object.
* [[Image:Draft_Upgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Upgrade|Upgrade]]: upgrades objects into a higher-level object.
* [[Image:Draft_Downgrade.png|32px]] [[Draft_Downgrade|Downgrade]]: downgrades objects into lower-level objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Downgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Downgrade|Downgrade]]: downgrades objects into lower-level objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Scale.png|32px]] [[Draft_Scale|Scale]]: scales selected objects around a base point.
* [[Image:Draft_Scale.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Scale|Scale]]: scales selected objects around a base point.
* [[Image:Draft_Edit.png|32px]] [[Draft_Edit|Edit]]: edits a selected object.
* [[Image:Draft_Edit.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Edit|Edit]]: edits a selected object.
* [[Image:Draft_SubelementHighlight.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SubelementHighlight|Subelement highlight]]: enters an edit mode that allows editing different objects. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_WireToBSpline.png|32px]] [[Draft_WireToBSpline|Wire to BSpline]]: converts a wire to a B-Spline and vice-versa.
* [[Image:Draft_AddPoint.png|32px]] [[Draft_AddPoint|Add point]]: adds a point to a wire or B-Spline.
* [[Image:Draft_WireToBSpline.svg|32px]] [[Draft_WireToBSpline|Wire to BSpline]]: converts a wire to a B-Spline and vice-versa.
* [[Image:Draft_DelPoint.png|32px]] [[Draft_DelPoint|Delete point]]: deletes a point from a wire or B-Spline.
* [[Image:Draft_AddPoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddPoint|Add point]]: adds a point to a wire or B-Spline.
* [[Image:Draft_Shape2DView.png|32px]] [[Draft_Shape2DView|Shape 2D View]]: creates a 2D object which is a flattened 2D view of a 3D object.
* [[Image:Draft_DelPoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft_DelPoint|Delete point]]: deletes a point from a wire or B-Spline.
* [[Image:Draft_Draft2Sketch.png|32px]] [[Draft_Draft2Sketch|Draft to Sketch]]: converts a Draft object to a [[Sketcher Workbench]] Sketch and vice-versa.
* [[Image:Draft_Shape2DView.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Shape2DView|Shape 2D View]]: creates a 2D object which is a flattened 2D view of a 3D object.
* [[Image:Draft_Draft2Sketch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Draft2Sketch|Draft to Sketch]]: converts a Draft object to a [[Sketcher Workbench|Sketcher Workbench]] Sketch and vice-versa.
* [[Image:Draft_Array.png|32px]] [[Draft_Array|Array]]: creates a polar or rectangular array from selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_PathArray.png|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies along a path.
* [[Image:Draft_Array.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Array|Array]]: creates a polar or rectangular array from selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_LinkArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_LinkArray|LinkArray]]: creates an array of [[Std_LinkMake|App::Link]] elements. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[File:Draft_PolarArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PolarArray|Polar Array]]: creates an array in a polar pattern, that is, sweeping an angle. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular Array]]: creates an array in a circular pattern, that is, starting from a center and moving outwards radially. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_PathArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathArray|Path Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies along a path.
* [[Image:Draft_PathLinkArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PathLinkArray|Path LinkArray]]: creates an array of [[Std_LinkMake|App::Link]] elements by placing the copies along a path. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies at certain points. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_PointArray.svg|32px]] [[Draft_PointArray|Point Array]]: creates an array of objects by placing the copies at certain points. {{version|0.18}}
* [[Image:Draft_Clone.png|32px]] [[Draft_Clone|Clone]]: clones the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Clone.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Clone|Clone]]: clones the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_PutOnSheet.png|32px]] [[Draft_Drawing|Drawing]]: writes selected objects to a [[Drawing Workbench]] page.
* [[Image:Draft_PutOnSheet.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Drawing|Drawing]]: writes selected objects to a [[Drawing Workbench|Drawing Workbench]] page. {{obsolete|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Mirror.png|32px]] [[Draft_Mirror|Mirror]]: mirrors the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Mirror.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Mirror|Mirror]]: mirrors the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Stretch.png|32px]] [[Draft_Stretch|Stretch]]: stretches the selected objects. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Stretch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Stretch|Stretch]]: stretches the selected objects. {{Version|0.17}}


== Utility tools == <!--T:22-->
== Utility tools == <!--T:22-->
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* [[Image:Draft_SelectPlane.png|32px]] [[Draft_SelectPlane|Set working plane]]: sets a working plane from a standard view or a selected face.
* [[Image:Draft_SelectPlane.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectPlane|Set working plane]]: sets a working plane from a standard view or a selected face.
* [[Image:Draft_FinishLine.png|32px]] [[Draft_FinishLine|Finish line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline]], without closing it.
* [[Image:Draft_FinishLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_FinishLine|Finish line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], without closing it.
* [[Image:Draft_CloseLine.png|32px]] [[Draft_CloseLine|Close line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline]], and closes it.
* [[Image:Draft_CloseLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_CloseLine|Close line]]: ends the drawing of the current [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]] or [[Draft BSpline|Draft BSpline]], and closes it.
* [[Image:Draft_UndoLine.png|32px]] [[Draft_UndoLine|Undo line]]: undoes the last segment of a [[Draft Wire]].
* [[Image:Draft_UndoLine.svg|32px]] [[Draft_UndoLine|Undo line]]: undoes the last segment of a [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]].
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.png|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Toggle construction mode]]: toggles the Draft construction mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Toggle construction mode]]: toggles the Draft construction mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleContinueMode.png|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleContinueMode|Toggle continue mode]]: toggles the Draft continue mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleContinueMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleContinueMode|Toggle continue mode]]: toggles the Draft continue mode on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ApplyStyle.png|32px]] [[Draft_Apply|Apply style]]: applies the current style and color to selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_ApplyStyle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Apply|Apply style]]: applies the current style and color to selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleDisplayMode.png|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleDisplayMode|Toggle display mode]]: switches the display mode of selected objects between "Flat Lines" and "Wireframe".
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleDisplayMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleDisplayMode|Toggle display mode]]: switches the display mode of selected objects between "Flat Lines" and "Wireframe".
* [[Image:Draft_AddToGroup.png|32px]] [[Draft_AddToGroup|Add to group]]: quickly adds selected objects to an existing [[Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup]].
* [[Image:Draft_AddToGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddToGroup|Add to group]]: quickly adds selected objects to an existing [[Std Group|Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup|Draft VisGroup]].
* [[Image:Draft_SelectGroup.png|32px]] [[Draft_SelectGroup|Select group contents]]: selects the contents of a selected [[Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup]].
* [[Image:Draft_SelectGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_SelectGroup|Select group contents]]: selects the contents of a selected [[Std Group|Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup|Draft VisGroup]].
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleSnap.png|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleSnap|Toggle snap]]: toggles [[Draft Snap|object snapping]] on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleSnap.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleSnap|Toggle snap]]: toggles [[Draft Snap|object snapping]] on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleGrid.png|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Toggle grid]]: toggles the visibility of the grid on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleGrid.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Toggle grid]]: toggles the visibility of the grid on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ShowSnapBar.png|32px]] [[Draft_ShowSnapBar|Show snap bar]]: shows or hides the [[Draft Snap]] toolbar.
* [[Image:Draft_ShowSnapBar.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShowSnapBar|Show snap bar]]: shows or hides the [[Draft Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar.
* [[Image:Draft_Heal.png|32px]] [[Draft_Heal|Heal]]: heals problematic Draft objects found in very old files.
* [[Image:Draft_Heal.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Heal|Heal]]: heals problematic Draft objects found in very old files.
* [[Image:Draft_FlipDimension.png|32px]] [[Draft_FlipDimension|Flip Dimension]]: flips the orientation of the text of a [[Draft Dimension]].
* [[Image:Draft_FlipDimension.svg|32px]] [[Draft_FlipDimension|Flip Dimension]]: flips the orientation of the text of a [[Draft Dimension|Draft Dimension]].
* [[Image:Draft_VisGroup.png|32px]] [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]: creates a VisGroup in the current document.
* [[Image:Draft_VisGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]: creates a VisGroup in the current document. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_Slope.png|32px]] [[Draft Slope|Slope]]: changes the elevation slope of the currently selected [[Draft Line]] or [[Draft Wire]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Layer.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Layer|Layer]]: creates a Layer in the current document, to which objects can be added to control object visibility and color. It replaces [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.19}}
* [[Image:Draft_AutoGroup.png|32px]] [[Draft AutoGroup|AutoGroup]]: automatically place new objects in a given [[Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Slope.svg|32px]] [[Draft Slope|Slope]]: changes the elevation slope of the currently selected [[Draft Line|Draft Line]] or [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_SetWorkingPlaneProxy.png|32px]] [[Draft SetWorkingPlaneProxy|Set Working Plane Proxy]]: create a proxy object to store the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Working Plane]] position. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_AutoGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft AutoGroup|AutoGroup]]: automatically place new objects in a given [[Std Group|Std Group]] or [[Draft VisGroup|Draft VisGroup]]. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.png|32px]] [[Draft_AddConstruction|Add to Construction group]]: add selected objects to the Construction group. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_SetWorkingPlaneProxy.svg|32px]] [[Draft SetWorkingPlaneProxy|Set Working Plane Proxy]]: create a proxy object to store the current [[Draft_SelectPlane|Working Plane]] position. {{Version|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_AddConstruction.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddConstruction|Add to Construction group]]: add selected objects to the Construction group. {{Version|0.17}}


== Preferences == <!--T:25-->
== Preferences == <!--T:25-->
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<!--T:4-->
<!--T:4-->
These are functions for opening, importing or exporting other file formats. Opening will open a new document with the contents of the file, while importing will append the contents of the file to the current document. Export will save the selected objects to a file. If nothing is selected, all objects will be exported. Be aware that the purpose of the Draft Module is to work with 2D objects, so those import routines focus only on 2D objects, and although DXF and OCA formats also support object definitions in 3D space (objects are not necessarily flat), they will not import volumetric objects such as meshes, 3D surfaces, etc., but rather lines, circles, texts or flat shapes. Currently supported file formats are:
The Draft module provides FreeCAD with importers and exporters for the following file formats:
The Draft module provides FreeCAD with importers and exporters for the following file formats:


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* [[Draft_OCA|Open Cad format .OCA]]: imports and exports OCA/GCAD files, a potentially new [http://groups.google.com/group/open_cad_format open CAD file format].
* [[Draft_OCA|Open Cad format .OCA]]: imports and exports OCA/GCAD files, a potentially new [http://groups.google.com/group/open_cad_format open CAD file format].
* [[Draft_DAT|Airfoil Data Format .DAT]]: imports DAT files describing [http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html Airfoil profiles].
* [[Draft_DAT|Airfoil Data Format .DAT]]: imports DAT files describing [http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html Airfoil profiles].

===Install importers=== <!--T:36-->

<!--T:37-->
* [[FreeCAD_and_DWG_Import|FreeCAD and DWG Import]]: Imports and exports DWG files
* [[FreeCAD_and_DXF_Import|FreeCAD and DXF Import]]: Imports and exports DXF files


== Additional features == <!--T:6-->
== Additional features == <!--T:6-->
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* [[Draft Constrain|Constraining]]: limit the pointer to horizontal or vertical movements relative to a previous point.
* [[Draft Constrain|Constraining]]: limit the pointer to horizontal or vertical movements relative to a previous point.
* [[Draft Snap|Snapping]]: place new points on special places on existing objects or on the grid.
* [[Draft Snap|Snapping]]: place new points on special places on existing objects or on the grid.
* [[Draft_Copying|Copy Mode]]: All modification tools can either modify the selected objects or create a modified copy of them. <br> Pressing and holding {{KEY | ALT}} while the object is being modified, e.g. moved or rotated, creates a copy when the key is released.
* [[Draft ToggleConstructionMode|Construction Mode]]: Allows you to create geometries separate from the rest by simply switching them on and off.
* [[Draft SelectPlane|Workspace]]: allows you to select a surface for machining using the following instructions in 3D space



== Scripting == <!--T:10-->
== Scripting == <!--T:10-->


<!--T:11-->
<!--T:11-->
The Draft tools can be used in [[macros]] and from the [[Python]] console by using the [[Draft API]].
The Draft tools can be used in [[macros|macros]] and from the [[Python|Python]] console by using the [[Draft API|Draft API]].


== Tutorials == <!--T:14-->
== Tutorials == <!--T:14-->
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[[Category:Workbenches]]
[[Category:Workbenches]]



Revision as of 04:50, 17 January 2020

Introduction

The Draft Workbench allows you to draw simple 2D objects, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. It also provides tools to define a working plane, a grid, and a snapping system to precisely control the position of your geometry.

The created 2D objects can be used for general drafting in a way similar to Inkscape or Autocad. These 2D shapes can also be used as the base components of 3D objects created with other workbenches, for example, the Part and Arch Workbenches. Conversion of Draft objects to Sketches is also possible, which means that the shapes can also be used with the PartDesign Workbench for the creation of solid bodies.

FreeCAD is primarily a 3D modelling application, and thus its 2D tools aren't as advanced as in other drawing programs. If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and DXF files, and you don't need 3D modelling, you may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting such as LibreCAD, QCad, TurboCad, and others.

Draft Workbench Example

Drawing objects

These are tools for creating objects.

Modifying objects

These are tools for modifying existing objects. They work on selected objects, but if no object is selected, you will be invited to select one.

Many operation tools (move, rotate, array, etc.) also work on solid objects (Part, PartDesign, Arch, etc.).

Utility tools

Additional tools available from the menu Draft → Utilities, or via the right-click context menu, depending on the selected object.

Preferences

  • Preferences: general preferences for the working plane and the drawing tools.
  • Import-Export Preferences: preferences available for importing from and exporting to different file formats.

File formats

These are functions for opening, importing or exporting other file formats. Opening will open a new document with the contents of the file, while importing will append the contents of the file to the current document. Export will save the selected objects to a file. If nothing is selected, all objects will be exported. Be aware that the purpose of the Draft Module is to work with 2D objects, so those import routines focus only on 2D objects, and although DXF and OCA formats also support object definitions in 3D space (objects are not necessarily flat), they will not import volumetric objects such as meshes, 3D surfaces, etc., but rather lines, circles, texts or flat shapes. Currently supported file formats are: The Draft module provides FreeCAD with importers and exporters for the following file formats:

Install importers

Additional features

  • Coordinates: enter coordinates instead of clicking on the 3D view to define a new point.
  • Constraining: limit the pointer to horizontal or vertical movements relative to a previous point.
  • Snapping: place new points on special places on existing objects or on the grid.
  • Copy Mode: All modification tools can either modify the selected objects or create a modified copy of them.
    Pressing and holding ALT while the object is being modified, e.g. moved or rotated, creates a copy when the key is released.
  • Construction Mode: Allows you to create geometries separate from the rest by simply switching them on and off.
  • Workspace: allows you to select a surface for machining using the following instructions in 3D space


Scripting

The Draft tools can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the Draft API.

Tutorials