Draft Workbench: Difference between revisions

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The draft Module is a work-in-progress and quite experimental module made to add basic 2d drawing functionality to FreeCAD. It is written entirely in python, and is also intended to showcase how far you can extend FreeCAD entirely in python, without even touching the source code.
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{{Docnav
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[[Image:Workbench_Draft.svg|240px|center]]
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{{Caption|align=center|The FreeCAD Draft Workbench Icon}}


== Introduction == <!--T:1-->
Currently it is not really usable for production work, but already contains a couple of working basic functions. Feel free to test, and give us a feedback on the [[Talk:Draft_Module|discussion page]].
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.


<!--T:29-->
[[Image:Draftscreenshot.jpg|center|The draft interface with the buttons toolbar and the function toolbar]]
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 draft workbench is available in your workbenches list. When you activate it, two toolbars will appear; a classical '''toolbar''' containing the standard draft commands listed below and a special '''command bar''' that has no tool icon on it, but that is used by the different functions to display their controls. On that command bar, you can also change general things like current line color and width. As a sidenote, the command bar (and, IMHO, the whole QT interface) looks much better if you choose the "cleanlooks" style in FreeCAD general preferences...


<!--T:30-->
=== Tutorial ===
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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For an in-depth explanation, read the [[Draft tutorial]] (work in progress), or read the quickstart section below to get you quickly on rails.
{{TOCright}}
[[Image:Draft_Workbench_Example.png|600px|Draft Workbench Example]]
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== Drawing objects == <!--T:16-->
=== Quickstart ===


<!--T:17-->
Not all Draft commands work well in 3D at the moment. So, the best thing to do is to put yourself in orthographic 2D view before starting to draw. To do that, open or create a new document, then press the {{KEY|O}} key (or menu view -> orthographic view) to switch to orthographic mode. Then press the {{KEY|2}} key (or menu view -> standard views -> top) to put you in top view. Now, you are ready to draw. You can also configure freecad (menu edit -> preferences) to always start in orthographic mode.
These are tools for creating objects.


<!--T:18-->
All draft commands follow more or less the same rules: Drawing tools will ask you to pick points on the screen or enter numeric coordinates, while modification tools will ask you to choose an object to work on first, in case no object is selected. In almost all commands, pressing the {{KEY|CTRL}} key will allow you to snap to existing points, {{KEY|SHIFT}} will constrain your movement horizontally, verically or in relation to an existing segment, and in some tools {{KEY|ALT}} will give you extra options such as creating a new object instead of transforming an existing one. The {{KEY|ESC}} key will always cancel the active command.
* [[Image:Draft_Line.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Line|Line]]: draws a line segment between two points.
* [[Image:Draft_Wire.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Wire|Polyline]]: draws a line made of multiple line segments (polyline).
* [[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_Circle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Circle|Circle]]: draws a circle from center and radius.
* [[Image:Draft_Arc.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Arc|Arc]]: draws an arc segment from center, radius, start angle and end angle.
* [[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_Ellipse.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Ellipse|Ellipse]]: draws an ellipse from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_Polygon.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Polygon|Polygon]]: draws a regular polygon from center, radius, and number of sides.
* [[Image:Draft_Rectangle.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rectangle|Rectangle]]: draws a rectangle from two corner points.
* [[Image:Draft_Text.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Text|Text]]: draws a multi-line text annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_Dimension.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Dimension|Dimension]]: draws a dimension annotation.
* [[Image:Draft_BSpline.svg|32px]] [[Draft_BSpline|BSpline]]: draws a B-Spline from a series of points.
* [[Image:Draft_Point.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Point|Point]]: inserts a point object.
* [[Image:Draft_ShapeString.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShapeString|ShapeString]]: inserts a compound shape representing a text string at a given point.
* [[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-->
'''Note'''
On some desktop systems (ex. Gnome, Kde), the {{KEY|ALT}} key is bound by default to moving windows on the desktop.
You might need to change that shortcut key in your desktop preferences.


<!--T:20-->
Some commands work in non-horizontal planes too, just make sure the Z coordinate is unlocked when drawing, and place yourself in the appropriate view. Below you will find a more complete description of all available tools.
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.


<!--T:31-->
===Importing & exporting===
Many operation tools (move, rotate, array, etc.) also work on solid objects ([[Part Workbench|Part]], [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign]], [[Arch Workbench|Arch]], etc.).


<!--T:21-->
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 file content to the current document. Exporting will save the selected objects to a file. If nothing is selected, then all objects will be exported. Be aware that since the purpose of the Draft module is to work with 2d objects, those importers focus only on 2d objects, and, although DXF and OCA formats do support objects definitions in 3D space (objects are not necessarily flat), they won't import volumetric objects like meshes, 3D faces, etc, but rather lines, circles, texts or flat shapes. Currently supported file formats are:
* [[Image:Draft_Move.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Move|Move]]: moves objects from one location to another.
* [[Image:Draft_Rotate.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Rotate|Rotate]]: rotates objects from a start angle to an end angle.
* [[Image:Draft_Offset.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Offset|Offset]]: offsets segments of an object a certain distance.
* [[Image:Draft_Trimex.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Trimex|Trim/Extend (Trimex)]]: trims or extends an object.
* [[Image:Draft_Join.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Join|Join]]: joins lines together into a single wire. {{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.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Upgrade|Upgrade]]: upgrades objects into a higher-level object.
* [[Image:Draft_Downgrade.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Downgrade|Downgrade]]: downgrades objects into lower-level objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Scale.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Scale|Scale]]: scales selected objects around a base point.
* [[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.svg|32px]] [[Draft_WireToBSpline|Wire to BSpline]]: converts a wire to a B-Spline and vice-versa.
* [[Image:Draft_AddPoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft_AddPoint|Add point]]: adds a point to a wire or B-Spline.
* [[Image:Draft_DelPoint.svg|32px]] [[Draft_DelPoint|Delete point]]: deletes a point from a wire or B-Spline.
* [[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.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_Clone.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Clone|Clone]]: clones the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_PutOnSheet.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Drawing|Drawing]]: writes selected objects to a [[Drawing Workbench|Drawing Workbench]] page. {{obsolete|0.17}}
* [[Image:Draft_Mirror.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Mirror|Mirror]]: mirrors the selected objects.
* [[Image:Draft_Stretch.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Stretch|Stretch]]: stretches the selected objects. {{Version|0.17}}


== Utility tools == <!--T:22-->
* [[Draft_DXF|Autodesk .DXF]]: Imports and exports DXF files created with other CAD applications
* [[Draft_SVG|SVG (as geometry)]]: Imports and exports SVG files created with vector drawing applications
* [[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]


<!--T:23-->
{{Draft Tools}}
Additional tools available from the menu {{MenuCommand|Draft → Utilities}}, or via the right-click context menu, depending on the selected object.


<!--T:24-->
===Common behaviours===
* [[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.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.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.svg|32px]] [[Draft_UndoLine|Undo line]]: undoes the last segment of a [[Draft Wire|Draft Wire]].
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleConstructionMode.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleConstructionMode|Toggle construction mode]]: toggles the Draft construction 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.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Apply|Apply style]]: applies the current style and color to selected objects.
* [[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.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.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.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleSnap|Toggle snap]]: toggles [[Draft Snap|object snapping]] on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ToggleGrid.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ToggleGrid|Toggle grid]]: toggles the visibility of the grid on or off.
* [[Image:Draft_ShowSnapBar.svg|32px]] [[Draft_ShowSnapBar|Show snap bar]]: shows or hides the [[Draft Snap|Draft Snap]] toolbar.
* [[Image:Draft_Heal.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Heal|Heal]]: heals problematic Draft objects found in very old files.
* [[Image:Draft_FlipDimension.svg|32px]] [[Draft_FlipDimension|Flip Dimension]]: flips the orientation of the text of a [[Draft Dimension|Draft Dimension]].
* [[Image:Draft_VisGroup.svg|32px]] [[Draft_VisGroup|VisGroup]]: creates a VisGroup in the current document. {{Obsolete|0.19}}
* [[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_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_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_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-->
* [[Draft_Snap|Snapping]]: Allows to place new points on special places on existing objects
* [[Draft_Constrain|Constraining]]: Allows to place new points horizontally or vertically in relation to previous points
* [[Draft_Coordinates|Working with manual coordinates]]: Allows to enter manual coordinates instead of clicking on screen
* Copying: All modification tools can either modify the selected objects or create a modified copy of them. Pressing {{KEY|ALT}} while using the tool will make a copy
* [[Draft_ConstructionMode|Construction Mode]]: Allows you to put geometry apart from the rest, for easy switch on/switch off
* [[Draft_Workingplane|Work Plane]]: All Draft commands can be used on any plane in the 3D space. The current working plane can be easily configured
* All newly created objects adopt current Draft [[Draft Linestyle|color and width]]
* The Draft module also has its [[Draft Preferences|preferences]] screen


<!--T:28-->
===API===
* [[Image:Preferences-draft.svg|32px]] [[Draft_Preferences|Preferences]]: general preferences for the working plane and the drawing tools.
* [[Image:Preferences-import-export.svg|32px]] [[Import_Export_Preference|Import-Export Preferences]]: preferences available for importing from and exporting to different file formats.


== File formats == <!--T:3-->
See the [[Draft API]] page for a complete description of the Draft functions that you can use in scripts and macros


<!--T:4-->
{{docnav|Raytracing Module|Image Module}}
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:


<!--T:5-->
{{languages | {{es|Draft Module/es}} {{fr|Draft Module/fr}} {{pl|Draft Module/pl}} {{ru|2d Drafting Module/ru}} {{se|Draft Module/se}} }}
* [[Draft_DXF|Autodesk .DXF]]: imports and exports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD_DXF Drawing Exchange Format] files created with 2D CAD applications. See also [[FreeCAD_and_DXF_Import|FreeCAD and DXF Import]].
* [[Draft_DXF|Autodesk .DWG]]: imports and exports DWG files via the DXF importer, when the [[Extra python modules#ODA Converter (previously Teigha Converter)|ODA Converter]] utility is installed. See also [[FreeCAD_and_DWG_Import|FreeCAD and DWG Import]].
* [[Draft_SVG|SVG]]: imports and exports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalable_Vector_Graphics Scalable Vector Graphics] files created with vector drawing applications.
* [[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].


===Install importers=== <!--T:36-->
[[Category:User Documentation]]

<!--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-->

<!--T:7-->
* [[Draft Coordinates|Coordinates]]: enter coordinates instead of clicking on the 3D view to define a new 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_Copying|Copy Mode]]: All modification tools can either modify the selected objects or create a modified copy of them. 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|Working plane]]: allows you to select a surface on which to build your shapes.

== Unit tests == <!--T:39-->

<!--T:40-->
{{Emphasis|See also:}} [[Test_Workbench|Test Workbench]].

<!--T:41-->
To run the unit tests of the workbench execute the following from the operating system terminal.
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{{Code|code=
freecad -t TestDraft
}}
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== Scripting == <!--T:10-->

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

<!--T:42-->
The workbench includes a module to create samples of all objects in a new document. {{Version|0.19}}

<!--T:43-->
Use this to test that all objects are produced correctly.
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{{Code|code=
import drafttests.draft_test_objects as dto
doc = dto.create_test_file()
}}
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<!--T:44-->
Inspecting the code of this module is useful to understand how to use the programming interface.
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{{Code|code=
$INSTALLDIR/Mod/Draft/drafttests/draft_test_objects.py
}}
<translate>

<!--T:45-->
Where {{incode|$INSTALLDIR}} is the toplevel directory where the software was installed; for example, in Linux it may be {{incode|/usr/share/freecad}}.

== Tutorials == <!--T:14-->
* [[Draft_tutorial|Draft tutorial]]
* [[Draft_tutorial_Outdated|Draft tutorial Outdated]]
* [[Draft_ShapeString_tutorial|Draft ShapeString tutorial]]

<!--T:12-->
{{Docnav
|[[Arch Workbench|Arch Workbench]]
|[[Drawing Workbench|Drawing Workbench]]
|IconL=Workbench_Arch.svg
|IconR=Workbench_Drawing.svg
}}

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{{Draft Tools navi}}

<!--T:34-->
{{Userdocnavi}}

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[[Category:Workbenches]]


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Revision as of 17:29, 14 February 2020

The FreeCAD Draft Workbench Icon

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.
  • Working plane: allows you to select a surface on which to build your shapes.

Unit tests

See also: Test Workbench.

To run the unit tests of the workbench execute the following from the operating system terminal.

freecad -t TestDraft

Scripting

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

The workbench includes a module to create samples of all objects in a new document. introduced in version 0.19

Use this to test that all objects are produced correctly.

import drafttests.draft_test_objects as dto
doc = dto.create_test_file()

Inspecting the code of this module is useful to understand how to use the programming interface.

$INSTALLDIR/Mod/Draft/drafttests/draft_test_objects.py

Where $INSTALLDIR is the toplevel directory where the software was installed; for example, in Linux it may be /usr/share/freecad.

Tutorials