Howto use the Link tool in FreeCAD's General Workbench

[@dougbriggs6797]

Brilliant, this is exactly what I needed to reference spreadsheet data from external parts. Thanks !

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

I'm glad that I was able to help Barry. Have a great day

[@gabrielb.8518]

Hi Geoff! Very well explained, it's just what I was looking for.

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad that you found it useful

[@gregwoolley]

Much thanks, very helpful video.

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Thanks for your feedback

[@bobbonham4823]

Thanks! This will be very useful for my projects. I look forward to your next video.

[@sinankuniyilathoot5188]

Expecting more freecad stuff

[@LFANS2001]

Thanks Jeff, it's a very usefull tutorial. Can you explain why the variables (Aliases) created on the original spreadsheet are not showing as normally in their complete writing on the Test 2 model? Do we need to type them in fully? (time 09:45 onwards). I suppose your Model containing the T-Nut specifications must be saved in the same folder in your computer along with Test 2...

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Now you're asking hard questions mate lol. I've always typed in the full alias name and haven't really looked into whether you can use a shorthand version. I'm not sure why they weren't showing up correctly in the video. My usage has shown that you can place the linked specifications file in any directory. I have a single directory where I store the specification files so that it is easier to locate them, while the model using them can be anywhere on my network.

[@iro3d]

Very useful video - thanks. (But the music is distracting)

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

I'm glad that you found the video useful. Thanks for your feedback about the music. Unfortunately I can't fix it but I did make improvements to the videos that followed this one based on viewer feedback, and have stopped using music entirely in my latest ones.

[@iro3d]

@@GlassonDesignStudio Thanks so much!

[@georgeolivergo]

Excellent video, subscribed. I was wondering, when you enter the spreadsheet references into the hole parameters, can you just do this once and have a "T-4 hole" if that makes sense? To avoid the repetition of entering those references in the expressions again for a different model.

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Thanks for your comment George. As far as I know, you can't do what you're describing.

[@adriaranza]

Hi Geoff! What's the difference between Link and the clone tool?

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

@adriaranza thanks for your question. I have never needed to use the clone tool so I can't say for certain, but the documentation for the clone tool says that it makes a linked copy of the original object. I interpret that to mean that it makes a copy of the original object and places in the same model. The Link Tool allows you to reference a FreeCAD object that is stored in the same model OR in an external file. I have only used the Link Tool to reference objects in external files as I showed in my video so I'll need to do some more investigation to get a better understanding if there is a difference between cloning and object or just linking to an object in the same model. Watch this space ....

[@clydeeisenbeis8625]

How do you display 1-4 T-nut Specifications?

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Hi Clyde, thanks for your question. Once you have linked the 1-4 T-nut specification spreadsheet into your model, you simply need to click on the title in the Model tab for it to be displayed. Please note that I created the spreadsheet and it resides on my computers hard disc. It is not part of the FreeCAD distribution. I hope this helps

[@clydeeisenbeis8625]

@@GlassonDesignStudio How do you link to the spreadsheet?

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Hi Clyde, I show you how to do that in the video.

[@clydeeisenbeis8625]

@@GlassonDesignStudio At what "time" in the video clip?

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Based on your response I'm beginning to think that we are talking about two different things. This video is all about linking to FreeCAD objects such as parts, spreadsheets, etc. that are stored in external FreeCAD files into your model. It is NOT talking about linking to an Excel spreadsheet for example. If you are talking about linking to an Excel spreadsheet then you'll actually need to import it rather than link to it. I talk about that in another video called Designing with Spreadsheets in FreeCAD (from memory) but bear in mind that it may not be a straight forward process. If you ARE talking about FreeCAD spreadsheets in external files, then there is an example at around the 4:30 mark that you can't miss,

[@Popart-xh2fd]

Can I copy parts instead of bodies. I've tried on Assembly 4 and doesn't work.

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Thanks for your question. The simple answer is that I don't know. I only use the Part Design workbench in my work and have almost no experience with the Part workbench. I tried creating a simple part and could copy it using Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V but I'm not sure that is what you're after. I also tried creating a link to the simple part and was able to transform it away from the original but that may not be what you're after either. As far as assembly goes, I use the A2Plus workbench because it meets my needs and haven't spent any time using Assembly 4. It's on the list of things for me to investigate but its not a high priority for me. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

[@wpegley]

Import file v's Link tool?

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Hi Warren, sorry for the delay getting back to you. Thanks for your question. According to the FreeCAD documentation, the Import command imports geometry **different** file formats into FreeCAD. You can use the Import command to "import" an existing FreeCAD model but all that really does is open it and doesn't "import" it into the existing project. If you want to "import" an existing model into another model you actually have to use the "Merge Project" command instead. The difference between that command and the Link tool is that the merged model is a full copy of the existing model as it existed at the time you imported it. Any changes you make to the existing model will not be reflected in the merged copy, whereas they will be reflected in the linked copy. I hope that helps.

[@wpegley]

@@GlassonDesignStudio Yer, it made more sense once I covered my right eye with my left hand & stood on my left leg. So Import = Open, Merge = Imported copy, Link = merge. FC standardise your UI, other CAD Platforms have a standardised system to lower the learning curve & make poaching efficient. P.S belated Thx - bit frustrated,

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Yeah it seems a bit arse about to me too.

[@now-you-know-it]

google this catnip5. Scroll a bit down and find a better pointer

[@GlassonDesignStudio]

Sorry Pieter. I have been trying to incorporate changes to make it easier for you, and in this case I forgot to change to a different cursor set so that you could see the cursor. I have now done so permanently so that don't forget to do it in the future. My next video will have a highlighted cursor.