FreeCAD For Beginners p.1 - UI, Sketching, Constraints, Extruding, and 3D Printing

[@thehardwareguy]

★ If you find my videos useful, kindly consider supporting me: www.thehardwareguy.co.uk/membership You can also support the channel in other ways here: www.thehardwareguy.co.uk/links -Gareth

[@pietpompiepompiepiet940]

thanks for video really helpful

[@SaschaUncia]

I watched 3 tutorial videos before this and yours is the first one that clicked.

[@The5375]

You were just born to teach. Thank you. I am a 3D printer rookie. You have just simplified my process. You do not need a thumbs-up reminder. It should happen naturally.

[@AGuyThatMakesStuff]

finally a tutorial thats not just a timelapse of somebody else doing something

[@we_are_the_de_wits]

Yes and yes and yes.... Other beginner tutorials skip the constraints and just start drawing! Thank you sir!

[@thebear8068]

I’m 62 yrs old, just ordered my first 3D printer & never used cad before, I’m finding your tutorials invaluable. You explain things so clearly for a beginner like myself. Thank you very much.

[@drpainsjourney]

I totally agree with you, Sir. As I am also a new user into this CAD. Never done anything like this, but I really want to draw my very own Workbench. I wish you success with your projects!

[@thehardwareguy]

I made this series for the makers and hobbyists out there. When Autodesk recently announced their personal license changes for Fusion 360, they let down a lot of people. But not to worry because there are other options out there, and one of them FreeCAD. I believe that this video is the best FreeCAD beginner guide on KZbin, it covers all the basics and teaches sketching the proper way. - Gareth

[@9MenWalking]

It's true. I have struggled with constraints from the beginning. You have made clear in under 30 minutes what I have been beating my head on for 30 days.

[@aculasabacca]

You do a nice job here, thanks.

[@grantballard4362]

Excellent video! Great job especially on explaining constraints. One useful feature that’s good to highlight for complete beginners is a shortcut to center the workspace view back on the part. It’s useful if they pan too far out of frame and lose their view. For instance I can double click the scroll wheel in fusion 360 if the model has gone out of frame, and it will recenter my view on the model automatically.

[@jps99]

Thanks for the great tutorial. I'm 70 years old and you can't imagine how many CAD tutorials I've watched and was still confused. Now that I'm 3D printing I need something better than Tinkercad. Your Freecad tutorial made sense and gives me hope I have finally found a tool that I can use successfully!

[@johnx9318]

I am a Fusion 360 refugee, looking for another solution. Freecad seems good.

[@mikemcleod4066]

Normally you have to filter through many videos to find a useful one, well stop here this is the one. It was extremely helpful. i loaded this video and free cad at the same time and followed him step by step just to get the hang of it. he speaks clearly and in a manner that is perfect to learn from.

[@thehardwareguy]

Appreciate the kind feedback Mike, thanks for watching!

[@simcatbob]

100% agree!

[@sim-racing2277]

Did the same. So practical.

[@sethLV3d]

this is an absolute jewel. subscribed!

[@pietpompiepompiepiet940]

@@thehardwareguy thanks for video

[@BroganTDB]

Dude!! You are the best teacher!! I watched 4 beginners tutorials and didn't really learn anything... They went too fast, didn't explain things in a way a newb can understand. Thank you for the vids!!!! I'm really getting it now!!!

[@meepmi]

For the love of god for once a TUTORIAL actually not some guy talking like a math professor reading off a script; Good job, ill absolutely check out your other stuff

[@KeithRCmafia1967]

Thank you. I subscribed and clicked the bell. This is by far the best tutorial for FreeCAD! I can't wait to finish all of the tutorials. Again, Thank you!

[@malcolmfoster5744]

Same here.

[@bikerjim6209]

I've used more CAD programs than I know as a former aerospace hardware engineer . Most were CAE electronic design (View Logic, Orcad etc.) but I used others as well, such as AutoCad, Solid Works etc. Solid Works was the last that I used - and that was quite a while ago. (7 years at least - and that was for personal use) You got me right back ion the horse here. Great presentation, no wasted time and a calm, pleasant and understandable delivery. Very, very well done sir.

[@nic_art_o_luiz]

how nice it is to watch a tutorial, clear, direct to the point and well quality audio and video. Junmping strait to part 2. Thank You!

[@MENGA_TV]

This is a masterclass of, not only Freecad, but also online tutorial itself. Clean, clear, no BS, straight to the point. Just wonderful job here. Thank you very much!

[@nhuntington6578]

I've looked at some other beginner tutorials, this one is amazing, his little explanations of the quirks has made this a very easy transition from Solidworks!

[@philbourdeau1012]

Just a note to thank you for continuing to instruct absolute beginners like myself in FreeCAD. I needed not only a cad program but also a program that could keep everything off the internet and out of the cloud. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning from you. All the best - Phil

[@thehardwareguy]

You're very welcome!

[@n8rtotplayz647]

This tutorial is, by far, the best one I've seen for FreeCAD. The explanation and reasons for constraints help me to better understand why and how to use them. THANK YOU! Complete CAD noob here, btw.

[@1961matteo]

Came here to say exactly the same! I tried at least a dozen tutorials before finding this. I will continue on with the series. Well done!

[@joshuaarvia6434]

@@1961matteo Eeyup. Several tutorials, this is the first one that was really a help. Thank you, HardwareGuy!

[@fuzznut25]

Thanks for the tutorial. I poked around for 15 mins and couldn’t make much happen. This really helped!

[@rajeari6893]

For beginners and those new to FreeCAD, this is an amazing tutorial, and as others have mentioned- "by far the best one we've seen for FreeCAD". This tutorial is Structured, well organized with perfect explanations to a straight forward and simple Part design covering all necessary basics and explanations. Keep up the great work.

[@danmizer2273]

At 603k views, I do not think YOU have need for a thank you from me as much as I have a need to say "thank you" to you. I have spent the past couple hours getting thru your 22 minute vid, repeating each step, playing with the controls as we went. This is how I learn best, by doing. I have tried to learn CAD packages in the past, always failing. While I still clearly have a very long way to go, I think I am "over the hump" now. While I may well be a slow learner, I found playing the vid at 75% speed made it much more digestible. Thank you again.😄

[@sairfan06]

I can't leave the page without saying wonderful job. thanks

[@williamlackie142]

I have to agree with the past 20 comments that the other users left. This was an excellent presentation!!!! You're a natural educator. I'm looking forward to watching all of your FreeCad videos. I've subscribed to your channel, as well as other previous FreeCad channels, but yours is the first one I've selected the "bell" to see more of your new content. Now, on to the next video to learn what the other "Beginners to FreeCad" channel tutorials missed explaining.

[@pan9765]

Nice, simple and compact tutorial for 3D Printing Design using FreeCAD. I also this week have started browse and watch tutorial related to FreeCAD. Previous I am using Sketchup, but since I found my design requirement may need Parametric modelling I straightaway find FreeCAD. Hope i will begin design my own part using FreeCAD. Thank you for your tutorial video, please continue sharing and educate other on how to use FreeCAD.

[@mrphotography4596]

This might have been the best tutorial ever seen, truly.

[@alandh5400]

Clear and lucid, easily the easiest tutorial I have come across on KZbin, a clear understandable voice, brilliant, looking forward to more.

[@thehardwareguy]

Thank you, much appreciated. Glad it helped!

[@diagorosmelos3187]

Ive just bought a 3d printer and just endured 4 painfully confusing vids to the point i nearly gave up. (And why do i have to listen to their life story before they start? 😴 ) Yours is a breath of fresh air. Made simple and to the point without spinning your cursor over the screen until i feel sea sick! Cheers.

[@MaxGarbaty]

I picked up 3D printing a few weeks ago. Just found myself with a problem I could solve by designing my own model and printing it. I was so lost while trying to figure out this software on my own, but you made the basics very clear. Thanks!

[@thehardwareguy]

Glad I could help, Max. Best of luck with your 3D printing!

[@gregorwyss]

The best and simplest tutorial to start with! I'm very happy.

[@crafty6941]

Amazing tutorial for beginners, I have followed along thru the first two videos in the series so far and it has been awesome. My only thing to note for other people following along is at 16:30 you said it was asking for a diameter when in fact you had selected the radius tool rather than the diameter version. This is just something for people to take note of because if we set our diameter at half of what your is it will come out looking a bit different and some people may not catch why that happened. Otherwise, great job and thank you for making a great tutorial.

[@simwingscanada6246]

With just the first 5 courses I am already beginning to create many designs and getting involve with the software. Love your approach and method compared to other courses I have watched. Much faster learning just by watching your tutorials.... GREAT way to get started..Thanks.!!

[@randomidiot8142]

Thank you for the why and not just the what, and good audio. You've got a good voice and manner for this 👍

[@thehardwareguy]

Appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching

[@carutherswillaby7592]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen on any subject. Thank you!

[@webstertreehopper]

Fantastic, best video out there. You really helped me get started where all the others failed. Thank you for making this.

[@rubiskelter]

This is the BEST FreeCAD tutorial series i've come across, amazing job and an outstanding contribution to make FreeCAD better by growing its user base

[@thehardwareguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rubiskelter]

@@thehardwareguy if you ever make a paid series of different levels of difficulty, i'll pay for each

[@gregdabrat]

You go at a great pace, where i dont have to pause the video every 5 seconds

[@sbwebster]

Thank You best CAD introduction I have seen.....I am Fairly new to CAD

[@jonnyyoshi]

BEST TUTORIAL! I tried FreeCAD a few time after watching other tuts, but I just didn't get it. Your presentation is VERY EASY to follow and it really makes sense. thank you.

[@thehardwareguy]

You're welcome! really appreciate the kind feedback

[@simwingscanada6246]

Love the basics. Very concise. Every other tuturial seems to be just speeding along. I now have a clearer picture of how the achitecture of freecad works...

[@donnastewart2108]

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I'm new to Freecad, and 3D printing. I've been really struggling, and thought I'd never get any of it, but I've just sailed through this under your instruction.

[@thehardwareguy]

Glad I could help! thank you for the kind feedback

[@jhonny1392]

You really know HOW TO TEACH, mister !. All your explanations are very clear and deep as is suppouses to be in any *Good Teacher* Congrats and many greetings from Santiago de Chile, South America. John.

[@noahpelchat9713]

Best tutorial Ive seen, Thank you!

[@brennan353]

I came to say...exactly the same as just about everybody else said - awesome introduction to Freecad. I don't know where this video was hiding but you address key basic information that is pre-requisite to rally understand all other "introductory" videos on the topic. Thanks.

[@codymaasen1]

Great video man! Thank you for making it. Your descriptions were great and helped me conceptualize some of the basics. I just downloaded the program a few hours ago and I am trying to learn this to get into 3D printing.

[@fukcg00gle95]

Same. I just bought an entry level printer and I'm really excited to start making parts! Good luck 👍

[@thehardwareguy]

Glad it helped Cody. As soon as you get the basics down the sky is the limit! All the best with your designs, and thanks for watching!

[@AimanSawan]

Wow, very helpful FreeCAD tutorial for beginners. Thank you!

[@thehardwareguy]

Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:33 Download FreeCAD 00:45 FreeCAD Wiki 01:00 Create a New Design 01:12 Workbenches 01:40 Preferences and Units 02:27 Changing Workspaces 03:00 Part Tree 03:12 Saving a Project 03:42 Creating a Body 04:01 Toggle Visibility 04:17 Create a Sketch 04:37 Pan, Zoom, and Rotate 04:50 Selecting a Sketch Plane 05:13 Changing Views 05:57 Constraints 13:23 Extrude / Pad 14:32 Making Changes to A Sketch 15:05 Sketching on a Surface 15:42 The Circle Tool 17:36 The Pocket Tool 18:10 The Fillet Tool 20:10 Export as STL for 3D Printing 21:11 Outro

[@jodypitcher4748]

i like your videos but you go to fast and it is hard to see what you are doing!

[@thehardwareguy]

click the settings button in the bottom right and watch at x0.75 the speed

[@hansperfors]

Kun je ook Gcode aanmaken met freecad

[@rmudcavemob5447]

I am trying to learn CAD to enable me to produce models and 3D print them on my Prusa MK3s+. Your tutorials on FeeCAD are the most professional I have found. The clarity in your voice, the pace you deliver the material (not too fast) and your logical approach make it a joy to learn FreeCAD. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou, keep up the great work. I look forward to more great tutorials. Regards Rex

[@devops9506]

I wish all of the tutorials were that informative and well made! Greetings from Ukraine!

[@pedalritter007]

Fantastic video. 👍👍 I also come from Fu_ 360. Please create further instructions. Especially about the references to the levels. There should be big differences. Especially if you change the model afterwards.

[@aqvilifer]

Amazing job. Most "tutorials" you see are just people talking while they work on something, with little to no explanation. This tutorial on the other hand has removed a lot of the intimidation factor associated with CAD.

[@RKaudio]

Only just getting into making and so far, this has been the best tutorial I’ve found. Your pacing is spot on! Thank you and keep it up!

[@whitelfc]

I've seen many tutorials in my life, but very few if any were as concise, straight to the point and impactful as this. Thank you!

[@thehardwareguy]

Much appreciated! Glad I could help, and thanks for sharing your experience.

[@solomonmokua4643]

Nice, I've been waiting for you for years!! Thanks.

[@Georgina1138]

I've had FreeCAD for a while and never really got to grips with it until your video. Great job! Thanks.

[@gnif]

You can avoid needing to set the centre dimensions instead by using a centre constraint on the vertical/horizontal origin lines, this way if you resize the part rectangle it remains centred with respect to it's size. You also never need to press "Update" in your sketches if you have "auto update" checked (this is the default).

[@paulmyfinger]

How might i go about that, it sounds useful?

[@gnif]

@@paulmyfingerSelect the top left and bottom right corners of the rectangle, then select the origin point, then click on the ">

[@pgwargamer]

Hands down the best FreeCAD tutorial i have seen! A million thanks man!!

[@jakescape8526]

I really liked your focus on constraints. A lot of other videos skipped this part but they don't really know the importance of them!

[@MkmeOrg]

Nice and clear. Time for me to start :)

[@NovaspiritTech]

Me too

[@jurgenblick5491]

I like the way you teach this. Clear and simple

[@tameral-rodainieh849]

Thank you 🙏 ... as always great 👍 stuff...

[@dennisgarber]

So far, I think this is the best freecad explanation delivery after a week of pecking through freecad videos for the last week. He explains why he is doing everything and verbally, in clear English, is saying what he is doing. This way as versions change, the video will hold up and remain useful for others. I think that a really good freecad KZbin channel should put out 2 minute tutorials that stick to doing one thing. None of the 40 minute crap, which is 38 minutes of irrelevant information to 99 of 100 people trying to learn 100 different things. Even though I am running into a dialog that I can't get past by duplicating his actions, I still can see what he is doing. The other problem with freecad videos is that they don't more slowly focus on the menu items and tools that they click on. I must watch the series of menu click 10 times over a half speed before I can see what they are clicking on. The problem is compounded by customized toolbars and version changes. Obviously, Each toolbar click and menu click should be screen shot and a web page should be made explaining each 2 minute video. So, we could either or both watch the video and read the webpage. This would up the view count and Google index. This is my beginners perspective.

[@avejst]

Great walk through Nice guide Thanks for sharing :-)

[@tbrandx2]

With nearly 400,000 views you must be sick of the comments but I still want to 'thank you'! Your efforts are so helpful and appreciated!

[@tetrisman11]

Thanks for making this!

[@jimbond2006]

Brilliant well explained intro to FreeCad. By far the best tutorial I have found. Thanks

[@kostaspatsatzakis9264]

God damn is this a great tutorial! Mate, you really are a great teacher, this is the first free cad video I've watched and I feel like I know so much.

[@thehardwareguy]

Thank you so much, really appreciate it.

[@georgekatsinis5224]

God bless!

[@2001yellowvette]

Bravo 👏. Thank you . I always wanted to learn design, but I would open free cad and be overwhelmed. Now I can start to understand the process

[@paveltaufer1813]

Nothing needs to be added to this video because it is excellent, it's also excellent because it's about commands that are different than in lower versions - thanks to the author

[@nw6198]

Sir of all the instructors I've seen on just about any software program, you are my favorite. Thoughtful and clear instruction, not long winded, good energy. Thanks! Shut up and take my sub. lol

[@hazza106]

Thankyou for making such a useful video !! I did cad last in year 9!! I’m now 33 and a plumber , your explanation on how to use the software Is superior compared to the other videos I suffered watching….. now I’m chuffed I made a rectangle with a hole in it !!

[@JohnSmith-sf8gj]

This tutorial is fantastic. Understandable, a slower pace where I can follow the selections.....I didn't know anything about FreeCad before this!

[@thehardwareguy]

Thank you John. Glad I was able to help you out👍🏻

[@zerolabs]

I am on Linux, coming from an old version of Sketchup, desperately in need of transitioning over to FreeCAD and divesting myself of all things Google. This was brilliant. Thank you SO MUCH for this awesome tutorial!

[@TheMightyHellfish]

If only Fusion360 and Blender tutorials were this well-paced and easy to follow. Having an engineering bent, I've not so much cut as I have smashed my teeth on Fusion360, creating sheetmetal bracket designs for work. The time spent explaining constraints was well worth it because whilst I've seen them in F360 and have sort of understood them, my sketches have always been a little arbitrary and I can take away the constraints lesson and apply it to both FreeCAD and F360. For the same reason stated at the outset, the licensing change has seen me looking for something free but easy to use at home for 3D modelling/printing. I think this video has locked me into FreeCad - well done, mate!

[@MarMan-wx7sw]

this is the best video describing this ive seen yet. really helpful for someone who has no background in this

[@douggale5962]

I think FreeCAD is extremely solid and impressive, which is extreme praise, because it's almost impossible to get me to say that any software is good.

[@xyexz]

Just picked up FreeCAD after visiting Fusion360 from a long hiatus and realizing there's no personal license for creators anymore. This tutorial assisted greatly in the translation between the two software paradigms, thanks a million!

[@GraemeFinley]

Brilliant - so clear and concise. No lame humour. Got me started. Thank you

[@icenlerfirenler329]

after more than 6 hr fighting with the program and going through some crappy tutorials for "beginner" i finally made it to this well taught video, which is totally for beginners like a potato like me so new to freecad. thank you so much for a through and well explained tutorial, i can at last start learning freecad.

[@Ed19601]

This was the very best tutorial i went through. Happy i stumbled upon it. Thanks a lot

[@insiner8u]

Having come from Solidworks, "Yes" a lot of the info and tools are similar if not the same. It's the subtle differences in how to open a new file properly, the workbenches, comparable names for tools, etc....that I find most helpful. Thanks for the great tutorial, highly recommend this video to all, even old CAD jockeys like me. Thumbs Up!

[@reggiesarmenta265]

Tnx Gareth for this wonderful video.Its a very nice tutorial.

[@patriciaquiatchon2831]

You explained it so well for someone with ZERO knowledge. Thank u so much, this helped me immensely. Also your voice is soothing😊

[@itsnottylor4011]

This is an absolutely fantastic tutorial. Bravo

[@mark6063]

Mr. hardwareguy: I don't know how often you check these comments being the age of these tutorials, with that said I have a high and quick learning curve for the most part and must say your method of teaching these are not only easy to follow but probably the most simplest to understand of any tutorials out there on any platform. (Not just FreeCad) but any Cad Programs in general. I wanted to take the time to thank you for your time and hope you continue in your endeavors to help others. Again Thanks.

[@rcbegala]

Found your video series and it is a godsend :). Started with Blendr, but my professional experience has been all CAD software lol so that was making me pull my hair out. And lets face it, most people cant afford these damn licensing subscription fees for the "professional" types of CAD. Thank you for putting the time and effort into these. Years later, but this video is still getting you at least one subscription :)

[@Ubique2927]

Thank You. Probably the best teaching FreeCAD video I have seen so far. Thanks

[@hiimlucas6991]

I am Completely new to CAD spent the last few day's trying to learn and its not easy especially when most video's show you what to do. But not how to do it to the extent you did for that I am beyond grateful. Now I can ditch my crap hand drawing's and make a 3D version of my project vision's I felt it was right to Subscribe. Now I can watch more of your content and get told when you make new content thank you so very much cheer's.

[@HouseDoctorRay]

Thank you! Your pace and explanation of the details is excellent.

[@lovevwltd7114]

Like the approach to teaching the importance of constraints setting the constant to the origin last demo’s its importance as it would otherwise be easy to miss for new users.

[@arabidllama]

I'm a fast learner, but I opened FreeCAD the first time and had no idea where to begin. This tutorial seems like just what I needed to get going!

[@aaronwinkler7103]

Dude. You are the best. I've had FreeCAD sitting on my PC forever and had the worst time trying to figure it out and find good tutorials. This really opens up the doors for 3D printing for me.

[@redmaple114]

Just started to learn FreeCad and your tutorial is the very best! I like and highly appreciate the "do not cut the corner" approach. One minor thing i spotted is that the constraint for the circle (pt.1) is actually "radius" not "diameter". Again, best FreeCad instruction! Thank you!

[@drpainsjourney]

Ohhhh, I am so happy to find your channel and this Beginners tutor of FreeCAD, just what I really wanted! So many thanks for your super great work!

[@reubenwrigley1121]

Dude, awesome tutorial. So many others went too fast and didn't explain things enough. Thanks!

[@siwatson]

Brilliant video ! Thank you !

[@teearr9120]

New Subscriber here. I'm really new to Freecad and 3D printing. I've watched dozens of videos on how to use freecad, and usually left feeling confused. Your's however, I understood and I feel like I have the basics to start now. Your explanation was clear, concise and easily understood. Looking forward to watching more of your tutorials! THANK YOU!

[@thehardwareguy]

Awesome, thank you! Really appreciate the kind feedback

[@bloodknottrevelian3396]

Have just loaded FreeCAD 0.20,1 alongside LibreCAD which I find great for my 2D design requirements. My device is an ageing 27" iMac running High Sierra. Please note that some of the icons you select from the toolbars for the various functions have changed and after realising this I found it essential to hover before selecting just to ensure that you were choosing the correct function. With your tutorial on one screen and the FreeCAD on the other I was able to stop, start and backtrack on the tutorial, brilliant. Keep up the good work and keep safe.

[@Giggles56]

Awesome! Thank you so much. All the years I worked in blender I attempted to figure out 3d section I also had a cad program, it was so overwhelming! You explained it where I could understand! Thank you again.

[@gerrykavanagh]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks! I had watched a few prior to this but nobody made the use of constraints as ckear as you did. Also, I used to live in S. Wales so hearing the accent brought me back.

[@ktgsqualityvideos8385]

Thank you, Mr. thehardwareguy. Your pace is not slow but very easy to follow along.

[@ashenning9002]

Just plain excellent tutorial! Clear, easy to follow. No extra "crap" - the hardware guy just got started and did not waste my time on "cool" intros, music, braggadocio, etc. Just subscribed and will watch additional videos about FreeCad by the Hardware Guy!

[@allanrae7802]

Thank you so much. Followed this step by step and my first construction is printing now! Brilliant!

[@charlesphile9232]

I have never tried to learn or use any type of cad program until I bought a 3d printer, It will take me a while to grasp how to use this free cad. I bought a windows surface tablet for this 3d printer thinking I needed a pen style tablet and watch this course its all done on the computer with a keyboard and mouse.