Cone¶

In one sentence: Create a parametric cone or frustum (truncated cone) with configurable radii, height, and angular sweep.

Overview¶

Workbench: Part · Menu: Part → Primitives → Cone
Toolbar: Part Primitives · Shortcut: none

The Cone primitive creates a right circular cone or a conical frustum (a cone with the tip cut off). Setting Radius1 = 0 gives a pointed cone; setting both radii to different non-zero values gives a frustum.

Intuition¶

Cones appear as: - Chamfer preview shapes — a short frustum at the entrance of a hole. - Funnel or hopper shapes — a frustum open at both ends (make hollow with Thickness or use a shell). - Tapered pins — a cone as a positive solid. - Partial sectors — with Angle < 360°.

Parameters¶

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
Radius1	Distance	2 mm	Radius at the base (Z = 0)
Radius2	Distance	4 mm	Radius at the top (Z = Height). Set to 0 for a pointed tip.
Height	Distance	10 mm	Axial height along Z
Angle	Angle	360°	Longitude sweep
Placement	Placement	Identity	Position and orientation

Note: The default produces a frustum with Radius1 < Radius2 (wider at top). To get a cone narrowing upward, set Radius1 > Radius2 (or Radius2 = 0 for a true pointed cone).

Step-by-step walkthrough¶

Part → Primitives → Cone.
A frustum appears (Radius1 = 2, Radius2 = 4, Height = 10 mm).
In Data, set Radius1 to the bottom radius and Radius2 to the top radius. Set Radius2 = 0 for a pointed cone.
Adjust Height and Placement.

Common mistakes and pitfalls¶

Default Cone is a frustum, not a pointed cone

The factory defaults produce a wider-at-top frustum. Set Radius2 = 0 if you want a pointed apex.

Cone axis is Z

Like Cylinder, the cone axis is along local Z. Rotate Placement to reorient.

Python API¶

import FreeCAD as App

doc = App.newDocument()

# Pointed cone
cone = doc.addObject("Part::Cone", "PointedCone")
cone.Radius1 = 10.0  # base radius
cone.Radius2 = 0.0   # pointed tip
cone.Height  = 20.0

doc.recompute()
print(f"Volume: {cone.Shape.Volume:.2f} mm³")

# Frustum (truncated cone)
frustum = doc.addObject("Part::Cone", "Frustum")
frustum.Radius1 = 20.0  # wide base
frustum.Radius2 = 10.0  # narrower top
frustum.Height  = 15.0

doc.recompute()