FreeCAD Workbenches

A workbench is a focused set of tools for one task — solid modeling, drafting, simulation, CNC, architecture. Switch via the dropdown in the toolbar. Below is the full set, with deep dives into each.

Metallic mechanical gear part — Part Design workbench for parametric solid modeling

Part Design — parametric solids

The default workflow for mechanical CAD. Sketch a profile, Pad to extrude, Pocket to subtract, Fillet for rounded edges. Every step is editable later.

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Engineering drawing pencil and ruler — Sketcher workbench for 2D constraint-based drawing

Sketcher — 2D constraint solving

2D drawing with geometric constraints (coincident, horizontal, parallel) and dimension constraints. Underpins every Part Design feature.

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Stress analysis simulation visualization — FEM workbench for finite element analysis

FEM — finite element analysis

Static structural, modal, and thermal analysis using CalculiX and Elmer solvers. Free, capable enough for real engineering work.

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CNC milling machine cutting metal — Path workbench for CAM and G-code generation

Path — CNC and G-code

CAM toolpaths for CNC mills, lathes, and routers. Profile, Pocket, Drilling, Adaptive, 3D Surface. Post-processors for LinuxCNC, Mach3, GRBL, Marlin.

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Modern building facade architecture — BIM workbench for architectural design and IFC export

BIM — architecture & IFC

Walls, doors, windows, structural elements, IFC import/export. Comparable to ArchiCAD or Revit on the open-source side.

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Detailed technical drawing on paper — TechDraw workbench for 2D technical drawings

TechDraw — technical drawings

Generate orthographic projections, sections, dimensioned views from your 3D models. Output as PDF, SVG, or DXF for shop drawings.

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Other workbenches

FreeCAD ships with additional workbenches that we have not given dedicated guides yet — the community wiki documents each in detail:

  • Part: low-level boolean operations and primitives — when Part Design is overkill or you want raw boolean control.
  • Draft: 2D vector drafting (lines, arcs, dimensions) for site plans and quick layouts.
  • Mesh: mesh import, repair, simplification — useful for STL clean-up and 3D scan data.
  • Surface: NURBS surfacing for organic / freeform shapes that solid modeling can't easily build.
  • Spreadsheet: drive part dimensions from a parameter table — change one cell, model rebuilds.
  • Image: place reference photos in 3D space to model from real objects.
  • Raytracing / Render: generate photorealistic renders via POV-Ray, LuxCore, Cycles, or Appleseed.
  • Robot: industrial robot simulation and trajectory planning.
  • Web: embedded browser for documentation lookup inside FreeCAD.
  • Start: the launcher screen on first open — recent files, news feed, getting-started links.

Plus an active addon ecosystem via the Addon Manager — Sheet Metal, A2plus, Fasteners, KiCadStepUp, OpenSCAD bridge, and more.

Try FreeCAD 1.1.3 — every workbench included

Free for Windows, macOS, Linux. No account, no subscription, no usage cap.

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