When Free Software is not Free

[Aiph5u (Aiph5u (not affiliated with Onefinity))]

Hey Carl and Lynn, hey all,

I find the FreeCAD Tutorials are excellent to learn how to master this software.

@Aiph5u

3. A software that is also free and open and that is CAD, TechDraw, Vector Graphics and CAM software as well all in one is 🢡 FreeCAD.

   It offers vast documentation and tutorials:

   • Documentation: User Hub
     • Getting started
     • Frequently asked questions
     • Tutorials

   FreeCAD has a lot of different capabilities, they are called Workbenches:

   • Workbench List

   One of the workbenches used for CAD is the Part Workbench, another is PartDesign Workbench, you may also start with 2D objects on the Draft Workbench, which you can use to create 3D objects later. Interesting also the TechDraw Workbench, with which you can make professional technical drawings of the desired part.

Path Workbench

So the CAM part of FreeCAD, that exports toolpaths suitable for being executed by a CNC machine, is called Path Workbench. This makes that FreeCAD is a complete CAD/CAM software package with which you can first create the model of the part you want to mill, and then export a toolpath and mill it on your CNC machine. And all for free.