FreeCAD vs SolidWorks 2025 – The Truth Nobody Says

FreeCAD in 2025: The Most Powerful 100% FREE Professional 3D CAD Software (Yes, Really!)

Tired of $5,000–$10,000 yearly subscriptions? Here’s the open-source beast that finally replaced SolidWorks, Fusion 360 and CATIA for thousands of engineers.

FreeCAD 2025 interface with complex assembly

FreeCAD is no longer “the promising open-source CAD”. In 2025, after the long-awaited version 1.0+ release, it became a real professional tool that thousands of engineers and companies use daily – completely free.

From a Garage Project to Industry-Ready (The Real Story)

FreeCAD started in 2001 when Jürgen Riegel began experimenting with the newly open-sourced OpenCascade kernel (originally a commercial tool worth millions). Together with Werner Mayer they built the foundation in their spare time.

Fast-forward to 2025: topological naming issues are solved, the Assembly workbench finally works, sheet metal tools are excellent, and the community grew to tens of thousands of active developers and users.

What FreeCAD Can Actually Do in 2025 (Mind-Blowing List)

Full parametric modeling (Part Design)
Real assembly with constraints
Professional sheet metal design
FEM analysis (CalculiX integration)
3–5 axis CNC toolpaths (Path workbench)
GD&T-ready 2D technical drawings (TechDraw)
Complete BIM/Architectural workbench
Python scripting – automate everything

Real CNC-machined part designed 100% in FreeCAD

Yes – this aluminum part was designed, simulated and machined using only FreeCAD.

Who’s Actually Making Money with FreeCAD Right Now?

Small machine shops, 3D printing farms, furniture makers, scientific labs, startups, universities… and even some big-company departments that refuse to pay $8,000 per seat.

“I run a 7-person CNC shop. We switched completely to FreeCAD in 2023 and saved over €42,000 in software costs so far.” – Marko, Serbia

Why FreeCAD Wins (Even When It’s “Missing” Features)

Costs $0 forever – no subscription traps
Runs perfectly on a $400 laptop
Your files belong to YOU
Nobody can kill the software tomorrow
You can modify the source code
Translated to Serbian / Croatian / Slovenian
Doesn’t spy on your designs

Ready to Ditch Expensive CAD Forever?

Download FreeCAD 1.0+ Right Now (100% Free)

Best Free Learning Resources 2025:

The first 10 hours will be frustrating.
The next 100 hours will make you unstoppable.

#FreeCAD #OpenSourceCAD #3DCAD #Engineering #CADwithoutSubscription

FreeCAD - Modeling - Tutorial - Model 0126 - Sheet metal

FreeCAD Sheet Metal Tutorial 2025: Model 0126 – Bend, Flange & Unfold a Professional Enclosure [Step-by-Step Video Guide]

Struggling with sheet metal design in FreeCAD? If you're coming from SolidWorks and missing easy bends or flanges, this FreeCAD sheet metal tutorial 2025 for Model 0126 will change that. We'll create a simple yet professional enclosure (like a control box panel) using the SheetMetal workbench – from sketch to unfolded DXF export. Perfect for beginners to advanced users in mechanical engineering or 3D printing prep.

No paid software needed – FreeCAD 1.0 is free and parametric. This guide takes ~15 minutes, with timestamps from my YouTube video. For more FreeCAD basics, check my Loft Pipe Tutorial or Mobile Holder Model.

Why FreeCAD for Sheet Metal? (Vs. SolidWorks Quick Comparison)

FreeCAD's SheetMetal add-on (install via Addon Manager) mimics SolidWorks but is open-source. Key differences:

Feature	FreeCAD	SolidWorks
Bend Tool	Parametric, auto-relief	Similar, but license cost
Unfold Export	DXF/STEP free	Pro version needed
Learning Curve	Steeper but tutorials abound	Intuitive for pros

Pro tip: Install SheetMetal workbench first (Tools > Addon Manager > Search "SheetMetal"). Let's dive in!

Tools & Setup Needed (FreeCAD 1.0 Recommended)

Workbench: SheetMetal (switch via dropdown).
Key Tools: Sketcher (for base), Bend, Flange, Unfold, Extend.
File: New document; units in mm.
Download: FreeCAD from freecad.org (2025 version for best stability).

Step-by-Step Guide: Build Model 0126 (with Timestamps)

0:00 – Create Base Sketch (Rectangle Face)
Switch to Sketcher workbench. Draw a 200x150mm rectangle on XY plane. Close and exit sketch. Extrude to 2mm thickness (for 1.5mm sheet).
2:30 – Add First Flange (Side Wall)
Switch to SheetMetal. Select base edge, click Flange tool. Set length=100mm, angle=90°, thickness=2mm. Auto-relief: Round.
5:15 – Create Bend on Opposite Edge
Select adjacent edge, use Bend tool. Radius=5mm, angle=90°. Preview and apply – it auto-folds.
8:00 – Add Tabs & Reliefs
For corners: Use Extend tool on edges, then Bend. Add tear drop relief to avoid cracks (Settings > Relief Type).
10:45 – Finalize with Holes & Cutouts
Switch to Part Design. Add Pocket for mounting holes (Ø4mm). Validate sheet metal rules.
13:30 – Unfold & Export DXF
Click Unfold button. Export as DXF for laser cutting (File > Export > DXF). Re-fold to check.

Common Mistakes & Pro Tips for Sheet Metal in FreeCAD

Mistake: Wrong relief type – use "Tear Drop" for sharp bends to prevent material overlap.
Tip: Always validate (SheetMetal > Validate) before export – catches thickness errors.
Advanced: Integrate with Path workbench for CNC simulation. For complex hems, chain multiple Flanges.
Vs. SolidWorks: FreeCAD lacks auto-miter, but it's 100% free – save $1000s!

Done! Your Model 0126 enclosure is ready for 3D print or fab shop. Practice on variations (e.g., add lid). Questions? Contact me or comment below.

The drawing needed to complete the tutorial.

More FreeCAD Sheet Metal Resources

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Tags: FreeCAD sheet metal tutorial, FreeCAD bend tool, FreeCAD flange 2025, FreeCAD vs SolidWorks sheet metal, FreeCAD Model 0126, FreeCAD unfold DXF, sheet metal modeling beginner, FreeCAD parametric design, 3D CAD tutorial

Updated: November 16, 2025

FreeCAD Loft Tutorial – Model 0112 Pipe (SolidWorks Loft Alternative) – Full Video Guide

FreeCAD Loft Tutorial – Modeling a Complex Pipe (Model 0112) – Step-by-Step with Video

If you ever needed the Loft command in SolidWorks to create smooth transitions between profiles, this FreeCAD tutorial will show you exactly how to achieve the same result – completely free. In this post we model a characteristic pipe/part (Model 0112) using the powerful Loft + 3D Sketch technique in FreeCAD 1.0 (works the same in 0.21+).

Step-by-Step Breakdown (with exact timestamps)

0:05 – Study the drawing & plan the modeling strategy
0:20 – Switch to Part Design workbench
0:30 – Draw the 3D path (centerline) using 3D Sketch
3:50 – Create a reference plane at the start of the path
4:20 – Sketch the first closed profile in the new plane
Final step – Use Additive Loft to complete the model

Why this method is perfect for ex-SolidWorks users

In SolidWorks you would simply pick two sketches and click Loft. FreeCAD needs a few extra clicks (path + planes), but the result is identical and 100 % parametric – you can change the path or profiles anytime and the model updates instantly.

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