Extremely powerful, completely free 3D CAD modeling
FreeCAD 1.1 is a massive update to the highly capable, free, and open-source 3D CAD/CAM/FEA modeler. It introduces major quality-of-life improvements including transparent previews, interactive draggers, new CAM tools, and enhanced assembly features.
I only got into FreeCAD recently, and what surprised me most is how powerful it already feels for a tool that is, quite literally, free.
FreeCAD 1.1 is a HUGE release. There is a lot of real workflow polish here: transparent Part Design previews, interactive draggers for tools like Fillet and Chamfer, three-point lighting, Clarify Selection, Assembly and FEM improvements, and a completely new CAM tool library system.
I am also used to the SolidWorks style of interaction, so it was great to see FreeCAD support that navigation style directly.
For a free and open-source tool spanning CAD, CAM, and FEM, this honestly no longer feels meaningfully behind expensive commercial software in the ways that matter most day to day.
Hi everyone!
I only got into FreeCAD recently, and what surprised me most is how powerful it already feels for a tool that is, quite literally, free.
FreeCAD 1.1 is a HUGE release. There is a lot of real workflow polish here: transparent Part Design previews, interactive draggers for tools like Fillet and Chamfer, three-point lighting, Clarify Selection, Assembly and FEM improvements, and a completely new CAM tool library system.
I am also used to the SolidWorks style of interaction, so it was great to see FreeCAD support that navigation style directly.
For a free and open-source tool spanning CAD, CAM, and FEM, this honestly no longer feels meaningfully behind expensive commercial software in the ways that matter most day to day.