Your own 3D parametric modeler.
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.
There is now a default assembly workbench. You don't need it for this. It is mostly handy to verify your design.
Assuming endless possible values: set up a spreadsheet, define an alias (top right) for the relevant values, and use that in your sketches and extrudes.
You could model the various bodies in place in the right orientation and make do without any assembly as there are moving parts too. The new assembly workbench is nice to use though so it's worth trying it out.
Thanks. I just discovered the spreadsheet and aliases, pretty straightforward to use the values in the sketch. Now I have yet to find out how to create multiple parts.
That's great!
I'd create one body (the blue icon) per shape you want to cut. You can reference the same spreadsheet.
If you want to reference geometry from another body, activate the body where you want to use it (doubleclick in the hierarchy), select the face of the other body, and use the subshape binder (the green icon with red dots I think). Calculating everything from the spreadsheet is the more stable option.
Looking forward to see what you come up with if you choose to share it.
Thanks, I created a first sketch+pad for the top plate on the XY plane, the the side plate on the XZ plane, now the side plate sit at the center of the top plate, how should I move it to the side of the top plate?
If you've made multiple bodies, you can place them by selecting the body in the tree view. Then open the scary property view, open the data tab, Base, Placement, Position.
You can scroll to roughly put things in position but I'd use a formula in there so you can model in place and have a visual for each configuration.
If you want to reuse a body for left/right you could make a clone or start thinking about the assembly workbench
The data tab contains interesting info. Open it from time to time so it feels less scary. It allows to set the properties from a pad or update constraints from a sketch quickly. Moving a sketch around can be strange though as the axes are relative to the sketch's coordinates.
Thanks a lot, lot of extremely useful points.
I was able to make what I wanted. I share my basic box model here, all dimensions are from the spreadsheet. I'll add more complexities for my personal project. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VGQb9p0G_uOlvEQuEZNkt2TiBsSuiA73/view?usp=sharing
Aslo, Is there an easy way to retrieves all the sketches with dimensions in order to print it ?
Best I know of is TechDraw but that may not be as automated as you'd like. You essentially take the shapes and label the dimensions you want to show. Shapes/dimensions can be refreshed, likely also through a macro for multiple sheets if you need that.
I don't know the UI by memory but the flow is along the lines of: create TechDraw sheet; set scale; import shape; choose views of shape (top, front, ...); add dimensions. This can be exported and printed.
I think you can also save the current view of a sketch (save image or such in the menu?) but have not tried it and don't know how repeatable that is and if you'll run out of coloured ink in no time.
Looking forward to look at your attached designs!