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FreeCAD

Score8 out of 10

10 Reviews and Ratings

What is FreeCAD?

FreeCAD is an open-source CAD software that specialized in 3D design. New features are added to FreeCAD by an active community of developers.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features FreeCAD has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 10 ratings of FreeCAD's features
View all features

Top Performing Features

  • Simulation and Analysis

    Provides tools for simulating physical properties and behaviors of designs, allowing users to test and optimize their designs before production.

    Category average: 5.9

  • Customization and Extensions

    Provides options for customizing the software interface or to include add-ons which extend the functionality of the software.

    Category average: 7.8

  • Compatibility with other software and formats

    Allows users to import and export designs in various file formats, ensuring compatibility with other software and stakeholder requirements.

    Category average: 7.4

Areas for Improvement

  • 2D Drafting

    Provides tools for creating and editing 2D drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.

    Category average: 8.1

  • Rendering and Visualization

    Allows users to create realistic images and visualizations of their designs, including the ability to apply materials, textures, and lighting effects.

    Category average: 6.3

  • Collaboration and Sharing

    Provides tools for sharing and collaborating on designs with others in real-time, including the ability to track changes and manage design revisions.

    Category average: 6.4

Reviews

What users are saying about FreeCAD.
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Great free software that has room to improve.

Incentivized
Verified User
Director in Engineering (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

FreeCad is a free-to-use 3D computer-aided design suite that has improved over the last few years. At my organization, I use FreeCad mainly for the analytics it offers, which are awesome. I have compared its results with those of SW to find that they are very close. I don't use FreeCad for modeling or designing as I feel there are better tools for that, namely Onshape, SolidWorks, or Inventor.

Pros

  • Finite element analysis.
  • Being free.
  • It is very flexible and customizable with Phyton.

Cons

  • Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
  • There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
  • It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.

Return on Investment

  • I have been able to secure projects just because I can provide the customer with a resistance analysis that guarantees the system is safe to work.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Onshape, SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, Autodesk Inventor and Blender

Other Software Used

Onshape, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, FactoryTalk by Rockwell Automation, Studio 5000

FreeCAD is a great tool for the development of products

Incentivized
Grant NelsonView profile
Engineering Manager in Engineering at Core Technology Ltd (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Freecad when there are multiple CAD models that require work to be done. It is very good with working between surfaces, solids and meshes. Freecad can import and modify cad formats with ease and not many other cad systems can achieve this. It is a very valuable tool in the development process.

Pros

  • Importing CAD formats
  • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
  • Fixing errors in geometry cad

Cons

  • Would be great if it was cloud based
  • If it had some basic analysis tools
  • Had a rendering function

Most Important Features

  • Working between meshes, surfaces and solids
  • Using and working with multiple cad formats
  • Ability to download and use on any workstation at any time

Return on Investment

  • It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
  • It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
  • It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users

Alternatives Considered

Onshape, SOLIDWORKS, PTC Creo and Autodesk MeshMixer

Other Software Used

Onshape, Autodesk MeshMixer, SOLIDWORKS