An Easier Way to Make a Hole on a Curved Surface in FreeCAD

In this video I'll show you an easy way to make a hole on a curved surface in FreeCAD without using a Datum Plane.

[@stevew7308]

Thanks! I'm a beginner and this is exactly the info I've been looking for. Very quick and concise.

[@windsurfingphd]

Thank you! I have been looking for this application, and believe it or not you are the only one that produced a related video. I will go through the rest of your videos to learn more from you. Thanks again.

[@sleepib]

In the sketcher, there's a button "view section" that will hide everything in front of the sketch. There is also a "Sketch on surface" tool in the curves workbench, if you want the sketch to be curved along the surface.

[@CreatewithTech]

Yes, thank you very much for this. I did not realize this. Very helpful. RG

[@ami6packs]

@@CreatewithTech you can also use `space` key to toggle the visibility of a selected item.

[@dcj2]

Been teaching myself FreeCAD for about a week and really struggled trying to figure this out myself. Great instructions, and simple to follow. Nice job!

[@ardemus]

4:30 There's also a button to view a cross section of the sketch plane, making the sketch 100% visible.

[@CreatorsExpress]

I’m so glad I came across your channel! I’m trying to design a product. I’ve considered making it from scratch materials and using photogrammetry to make it. But I want to make it in freecad as well. Thanks for your tips!

[@paulcutty8048]

I believe that if you pocket symmetrical keeping the sketch in the middle it works too

[@CreatewithTech]

Yes, this works. Thanks for the insight. RG

[@jimbooth2010]

Yes, symmetrical is an easier way to go, then use rotation to make the second hole. Much simpler than that process

[@justanotherwatcher]

This is a brilliant video, it looks so easy with a good teacher. Thanks for taking the time to create these videos.

[@egonverleysen695]

I have been creating, or trying to, complex 3d shapes for 3D printing for a while now and this is one of the best and simple explanations I have seen so far!! good job!!

[@derekjeanes4414]

Very good video. Thanks.

[@dh7582]

Nice job, help out big time thank you.

[@geneh9210]

This is a very helpful video. I was having problems making holes in a oddly-shaped dome drainage cover. Using this method worked out great. I also used the PolarPattern tool to symmetrically distribute holes around the cover. You probably could have used that tool to create your second through hole. Awesome! Thanks.

[@vladimirastrelin1719]

Very cool ! Thanks for sharing your expertise, this is really useful knowledge. Thank you very much!

[@CreatewithTech]

You're welcome!

[@Appregator]

The only thing I'd do differently from the sketch to hole through is to pocket it and tick *symmetric to plane* and then hit *through all* . This pockets in both directions and you don't have to move the sketch off the plane.

[@ardemus]

5:20 Using geometric constraints is generally preferred over datum (measurement based) constraints because it is more efficient. Instead of setting a 0mm / 0" horizontal distance you can use the Point on Object geometric constraint (the 2nd geometric constraint from the left) to get a similar but more powerful effect. In addition to constraining the point to a horizontal or vertical line, it can keep the point on any line, at any angle, or an arc, circle, or axis.

[@ninetydirectory3798]

Two methods come to my mind. 1) Put a vertical constraint with root origin. 2) Point on Object constraint on vertical sketch axis. I wonder which would put less stress on the sketcher solver.

[@reneehutchins5232]

Loved the Video! Great Job!, to add a little more to make it even easier, don't need the transpancy step in and step out, when in sketcher, there is a Tool called "View Section", by toggling one gets a thru view and also a plane sketch view, "Click on and click off !!! 😀"

[@Jim-Penn]

Good tutorial. If you want to grow your channel, upload more than once a month .... more like once a week. There are TONS of newbies to freecad that are looking to learn FAST

[@TheMrMused]

Why not use Part mode, create three cylinders, orient the two that will be removed correctly, then boolean difference between the original and each of the two to be removed? Am I missing something inherent to the Sketch/Pocket that makes it different from Part?

[@stukyu]

Hi Buddy, I am really finding it difficult to do threaded holes through a curved surface. The scenario is a piece of pipe with 5mm wall, 50mm o.d. I need to place 2 threaded holes of different diameters through the wall of the pipe, (one is for M4 grub screw other is for M5 Grub screw) the hole centres share the same centre line at half the main tube diameter. So same axis but 180 degrees opposing each other. I have tried to draw on a created plane and that was successful but when I did the opposing hole using same process it messed up both holes. Any ideas what I am doing wrong ? Thanks

[@BStott]

You make easy - Hard. 1. Create Sketch plane in center of cylinder. As you did. 2. Make Hole/Circle in new center plane. As you did. 3. Dimension and constrain circle location. As you did. 2. Hide the cylinder. Not as you did. 3. Extrude the hole/circle in direction you want the HOLE in the Cylinder. Not as you did. 4. Use applicable Cut tool/feature. Not as you did. 5. Done! Done! You are correct there are so many (hard) ways to do the same thing. That's what is good about choices and options. Work as hard or easy as you'd like. LOL.

[@Appregator]

There are easier ways than yours.

[@davidanthonybatten9150]

why would appearance be blank at any time????

[@davidanthonybatten9150]

I just created a hole after hours of error messages from a program that basically tries to falt every thing and doesnt want to help. I try exactly the same method and now it doesnt work

[@CreatewithTech]

I'm sorry that you're having problems with the software. However, there is nothing wrong with the software it works just fine. The procedure that I show in the video works without issue. Now having said that I will agree that CAD has a significant learning curve and requires patience and time. This is true of FreeCAD, and all other CAD programs. I started with Fusion 360 and it took me a long time to get the hang of it. I've been using FreeCAD for a while and it's great if you're a hobbyist as you don't have to worry about licensing. I would suggest not to give up on it. If you put in the time, you'll get the hang of it. RG

[@lennard4454]

I found an even better way, where you don't have to "move" the sketch but can automatically attach it to the side and also specify the angle... lets me know if I should I explain further

[@CreatewithTech]

Yes, please explain further. Thanks! RG

[@lennard4454]

@@CreatewithTech I've created another sketch, where i use external geometry to reference the circle and create a line on the edge. On this line, I've created a rotated datum plane. on it, I create a skeet, again referencing the circle to make a circle for the hole. this won't work for all curved surfaces, but it's great for the circle. the diameter in the first skeet can be adjusted and everything still works fine. PS: I've send the file to the email from the about tab.

[@CreatewithTech]

@@lennard4454 Thank you for this. I'll give it a try. RG

[@MichielBruijn]

That's not a "hole" function but the "pocket" function. Hole function is more difficult. Next video, show this to be a threaded hole please.

[@davidanthonybatten9150]

wire not closed when its a circle hahahahahahaaa what a load of bunk!!!!

[@davidanthonybatten9150]

its not really easy because everything you guys suggest in your videos doesnt actually work.....freecad is shit!!!!!

[@Appregator]

Why are you being ugly ?