I just downloaded and installed FreeCAD

[ltlvt]

I just downloaded and installed FreeCad on my PC. I've tried to learn Fusion 360 but finally got frustrated because i could not get dimensions to stick on my drawings. I am totally illiterate when it comes to using CAD software so I am looking for some First Grader stuff to help me learn. So here I am with the software and don't have a clue how to start using it.

 

[SouthernChap]

Search MangoJelly on YouTube.

His channel seems to be considered the best learning resource for FreeCAD.

 

[bemader]

JeffCAD also has some beginner tutorials.

 

[WobblyHand]

I learned FreeCAD 0.21 using Adventures in Creation on the tube. Starts a little slow, but learned a whole lot. There's dozens of videos in the series. Once you make it through the first 12, you'll be capable of accomplishing a whole lot. He is a pretty good teacher - which is important when learning something new. I was a CAD illiterate before starting. Now I'm a noob! Designed a little case for my raspberry pi with a fan and a place for a SSD drive.

There's a new video series for FreeCAD 1.0. Try it.

 

[GeneT45]

I just updated my previous install to v1.0. I'm going to give FreeCAD another shot. I'm not a beginner (though not advanced, either) so hopefully that speeds things along. Last time I looked at FC it was pretty clunky, but it looks much more refined now, and I'd love to ditch Windows entirely (CAD being the only thing that keeps an active Windows machine in my shop).

GsT

 

[WobblyHand]

Being the curmudgeon that I am, I did a standalone install of the new version, rather than a total upgrade. Yes, they moved the cheese around some but overall it's ok. However, I don't consider it "slick". It's functional though, which is good enough for me.

 

[ltlvt]

I just updated my previous install to v1.0. I'm going to give FreeCAD another shot. I'm not a beginner (though not advanced, either) so hopefully that speeds things along. Last time I looked at FC it was pretty clunky, but it looks much more refined now, and I'd love to ditch Windows entirely (CAD being the only thing that keeps an active Windows machine in my shop).

GsT

My house pc is windows and that is the one I installed it on. I have a Dell Notebook in my shop with Linux on it. If it will work I may download it to the Notebook.

 

[WobblyHand]

FreeCAD works on Mac, Windows and Linux. I've personally run it on a Mac and Linux, including an RPI4.

 

[GeneT45]

My house pc is windows and that is the one I installed it on. I have a Dell Notebook in my shop with Linux on it. If it will work I may download it to the Notebook.

Not like I've thoroughly exercised it yet, but it seems to be running fine on Kubuntu Linux. Been going through the MangoJelly tutorials - they're a bit slow (they don't really assume you know anything) but seem pretty good so far. I'll probably set them aside in a bit and check out Adventures in Creation just to see if that's a better fit for me.

No crashes or "weirdness" this time around, which is a change from my last venture into FreeCAD.

GsT

 

[WobblyHand]

Not like I've thoroughly exercised it yet, but it seems to be running fine on Kubuntu Linux. Been going through the MangoJelly tutorials - they're a bit slow (they don't really assume you know anything) but seem pretty good so far. I'll probably set them aside in a bit and check out Adventures in Creation just to see if that's a better fit for me.

No crashes or "weirdness" this time around, which is a change from my last venture into FreeCAD.

GsT

Adventures in Creation starts out slow, at least for the 1.0.0 series. I watched the first one. But he's setting the foundation for those that don't know how CAD works. In his previous series, I was nearly over my head for a while after a couple lessons. But I played them over and over again to catch the point that I missed, so I could get the same results as the instructor. Sometimes I played back at 3/4 speed! It was the equivalent of raising my hand in class multiple times, daring to ask a question. It worked.

The best way to learn CAD is dogged persistence. I gave myself a deadline and a schedule to learn it. Glad I did. Because I finally learned it after decades of putting it off. Now I look at CAD as an enabling skill allowing me to do more sophisticated things than ever before. Still, my first concepts are usually on a piece of scrap paper. CAD isn't a substitute for thinking!