EP025 FreeCAD, a 3D Parametric Modeler

In episode 25, we interviewed Kurt Kremitzki about the paramatric 3D modelling tool FreeCAD. After discussing his previous experiences with CAD software and how he got involved in the FreeCAD project, we asked him about the current development status of the project before digging deeper into a few of the workbenches offered by FreeCAD. We also compared FreeCAD to LibreCAD and QCAD for applications only requiring 2D drawing instead of parametric 3D models and we discussed about compatibility with commercial CAD systems and standard exchange file formats. We were pleased to learn about the development status of a stable topological naming engine paving the way for the integration of an official assembly workbench in future releases. We then discussed about the spread of FreeCAD in companies and universities as well as ways to contribute to the FreeCAD project. We finished the interview with out usual quick questions and with a mention of their recent presentions at FOSDEM 2020. 00:00:18 Introducing Kurt Kremitzki 00:02:16 How he got involved with FreeCAD 00:03:22 His previous CAD experience before working on FreeCAD 00:04:35 One minute elevator pitch for FreeCAD 00:05:50 Current general development status of FreeCAD 00:07:12 BIM with FreeCAD 00:09:24 What are workbenches in FreeCAD? 00:10:46 Core FreeCAD workbenches 00:11:40 Technical drawing with FreeCAD 00:13:44 FEM libraries integrated within FreeCAD 00:16:15 Multiphysics simulations 00:18:16 Model updates recalculations 00:19:04 Technical drawings and annotations 00:19:49 FreeCAD for 2D CAD drawing vs other FLOSS alternatives 00:21:08 Compatibility with commercial CAD systems and standard exchange file formats 00:23:41 Performance of STEP files conversion 00:24:54 FreeCAD's native file format 00:25:44 Version control with FreeCAD 00:27:01 File formats that are supported by FreeCAD 00:29:16 Integration of Python in FreeCAD 00:30:56 Assemblies with FreeCAD 00:33:29 Stable topological naming 00:35:10 Manual approach for static assemblies 00:36:30 When to expect a stable assembly workbench 00:37:20 How to test assemblies right now 00:38:33 FreeCAD's software license 00:39:16 Companies using FreeCAD 00:39:42 Universities using FreeCAD 00:40:16 FreeCAD's use in science and citations of FreeCAD 00:42:29 How many people are involved in the project 00:43:04 Main communication channels 00:43:54 How to contribute to FreeCAD 00:45:45 Kurt's vision of FLOSS and its importance for the openness of science 00:47:13 Most notable scientific discovery in recent years 00:47:47 Favourite text processing tool 00:48:11 A topic he changed his mind about in science 00:48:28 FreeCAD at FOSDEM 2020 00:49:33 How to contact Kurt 00:49:54 Outro