Part Design Workbench¶
The Part Design workbench is FreeCAD's primary tool for creating parametric solid models using a feature-based workflow. You build a model by applying an ordered sequence of operations to a single container called a Body. Each operation is recorded in the model tree so that changing an early dimension automatically updates everything that depends on it.
FreeCAD version
This documentation covers FreeCAD 1.1 (release 1.1.1).
Key concepts¶
- Body
- The single solid container that holds all features. Every Part Design model starts by creating a Body. A document can contain multiple Bodies, but each Body produces one independent solid.
- Feature tree
- The ordered history of operations inside the Body (Pad, Pocket, Fillet, …). FreeCAD applies them top-to-bottom; the resulting shape is the cumulative effect of all features in order.
- Tip
- The currently active feature — the last one in the tree by default. The Tip determines which shape is visible in the viewport and which operations have been "applied" to the model so far.
- Sketch-based vs. primitive features
- Most additive and subtractive features are sketch-based: you draw a 2-D profile in the Sketcher workbench, then tell Part Design what to do with it (extrude it, revolve it, sweep it, …). Primitive features (Box, Sphere, …) skip the sketch and insert a parametric geometric shape directly.
Tool reference¶
See the Tools index for a complete, grouped list of every tool with one-line descriptions.
Tool groups¶
| Group | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Structure & setup | Body, datum geometry, sketch attachment, binders |
| Additive features | Add material via sketches: Pad, Revolution, Loft, Pipe, Helix |
| Additive primitives | Add material via solid shapes: Box, Cylinder, Sphere, … |
| Subtractive features | Remove material via sketches: Pocket, Groove, Hole, … |
| Subtractive primitives | Remove material via solid shapes |
| Dress-up features | Refine edges and faces: Fillet, Chamfer, Draft, Thickness |
| Transformation features | Pattern and mirror features |
| Boolean | Combine or subtract entire Bodies |
| Specialised | Gear, sprocket, shaft wizard |
| Tree management | Reorder, move, and duplicate features |
Typical workflow¶
1. Create a Body (Part Design → Body)
2. Create a Sketch on a face/plane (Part Design → New Sketch)
3. Draw and constrain the profile (Sketcher workbench)
4. Close the sketch
5. Apply an additive feature (e.g. Pad)
6. Repeat: sketch → feature (building up the model)
7. Apply dress-up features (Fillet, Chamfer, …)
8. Apply transformations if needed (Pattern, Mirror)