FreeCad Tutorial : Datum Planes and Local Coordinate Systems

Datum Planes and Local Coordinates systems are essential building blocks in freecad modeling.
Fully defining the datum planes and Local Coordinates systems (LCS) help to avoid errors in parts and assemblies.
This tutorial video describe how to attach datum planes and LCS to bodies (& fully define them). Attachment methods include face, vertex, O-N-X and O-X-Y and few others.
Also, this tutorial show how to use datum points to define LCS.
See my prior tutorials on datum planes as well.
How to use Datum Planes to make you life easy when building 3D models
• FreeCAD Tutorial. How ...
How to use Datum Planes, Datum Lines in Multi Body Modeling
• FreeCad Tutorial. How ...

[@fritzeder1847]

Learning FREECAD by your tutorials really is more entertaining than watching soap operas.

[@robertmoore119]

Hello from America, if you are not living here. Your tutorial was useful for me, I was looking for tutorials for draft array, but will also need to be able to properly define LCS for future assemblies. You are correct in your statement that this CAD program is not that intuitive. I have learned alot from several channels on KZbin and by reading directions supplies on the website. I do not have a degree in any type of engineering, therefore my experience with this program is by teaching myself through experience with trial and error. So far my progress is pretty slow, but what I have learned so far has been useful enough to begin to create some simple assemblies, they are complex objects, but add up to simple assemblies. As my experience increases, I will be able to rely on fea or cfd for my designs. I will should also be able to apply some simple math for some of the projects. So far though, I am learning to work with sketches, I have created assemblies by defining the object location within the sketch, and then importing the padded object into a file with the base object. Therefore, the Draft Array method would be much more efficient in some instances. Thank you for going over LCS definitions in more detail. 👍

[@cadzis673]

Robert, Great to hear that you are trying freecad with out any formal experience in CAD/Engineering. This is why I put youtube tutorial videos like this so everybody can benefit regardless of once experience or background. I did not see much videos on LCS definition and decided to put one out there. There are several tutorials on assembly in my channel that might be of interest to you (see the links below). Or if you subscribe you will see all my videos... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHvWg6qdgLyBl5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/npq4pp6tYq6qsK8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3mzcquPmt-Mfqc

[@itzikovadia851]

very useful data i am new in freecad i learned a lot from yor videos thank y very much

[@bobc6271]

Very useful information, thanks for all your work.

[@jamiepipe1635]

Best explanation I have seen. Thank you

[@cadzis673]

Glad it was helpful... Cadzis

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thank you for the video. It is helpful to see this.

[@cadzis673]

Thank you watching these videos, I will be planning to put more content.

[@sridharanpvl]

How to attach two local coordinates of a part to two different parts in an assembly? Thanks

[@yakdaymar6659]

Thank you😃

[@cadzis673]

You're welcome 😊

[@georgeleni127]

Nice 😊

[@splinetech]

Thanks!

[@terrylembke8100]

I like your channel . you have a lot of great videos . I wonder if you could help me ? I want to draw and print a six start thread in freecad o.19 and then print it . not sure how to do it ? could you do a video on that please ?? Thank You Terry Lembke

[@cadzis673]

I will create a video sometime in the future. Thanks for watching my videos...

[@AmeriKenadian]

How are you able to just click on things and move them around?

[@cadzis673]

in order to move a body, left click on the body to select and right click and select transform and that will show a co-ordinate system from which you select the direction to move or rotate.

[@macdroid53]

I seldom use a datum plane, they are typically redundant. ONX, OXY, etc. works exactly the same for a sketch.

[@davidbawden6567]

A very useful tutorial, but I wish you would stop flicking your mouse pointer all over the screen, it is very disorienting.....