External workbenches

Introduction
Power users have extended FreeCAD with various custom workbenches and addons that are not integrated into the FreeCAD source code but can be added to an existing FreeCAD installation.

Most extensions can be installed from the Addon Manager, menu ; specific instructions are provided in each extension page.

Back to Workbenches

General

 * BIM aims to implement complete Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and workflow in FreeCAD. It builds on top of the Arch Workbench
 * Defeaturing provides tools to edit STEP models by removing selected features.
 * DynamicData allows creation of container objects for holding custom properties.
 * EM Workbench ElectroMagnetic Workbench for FastFieldSolvers free tools.
 * Flamingo a set of customized FreeCAD commands and objects that help to speed-up the drawing of frames and pipelines.
 * KicadStepUp is aimed at helping both KiCad and FreeCAD users in collaborating with electrical (ECAD) and mechanical (MCAD) design.
 * Reinforcement augments the Arch Workbench with additional rebar tools.
 * SheetMetal provides tools to design and unfold sheet metal parts.
 * WebTools contains a series of tools to communicate with Web services from within FreeCAD.
 * LCInterlocking (github link) tools to create parts for laser-cutters. Add tabs and hinges. Export to SVG

Assembly
As of FreeCAD 0.18 there is no official assembly workbench. However, several external tools have been created and some being under active development to manipulate objects to produce assemblies.


 * Assembly2 provides tools to create multi-part assemblies. Consider using A2plus.
 * A2plus provides tools to create multi-part assemblies. Extension of the Assembly2 workbench.
 * Assembly3 (github link) is in development and requires a own FreeCAD branch. It is the most complex solution and supports thinsg like interactive kinematics.
 * Assembly4 (github link) is a solution based on the own FreeCAD branch that Assembly3 is using. It does not work with constraints at all and focuses on building structures with Local Coordinate Systems (LCS). This is computation friendly and should allow even to assembly large structures with may parts. This is the newest of the assembly workbenches and is indended more as a demonstrator.
 * Manipulator is aimed to help FreeCAD users in aligning, moving, rotating and measuring 3D objects through a friendly GUI.
 * WorkFeatures adds a wide range of helper objects such as alignment planes or axes, and tools to help you to position and align objects along those helper objects.

Deprecated extensions

 * Drawing Dimensioning
 * adds powerful dimensioning and annotation tools to the Drawing Workbench.

Missing documentation

 * Assembly3
 * Bolts
 * Cfd
 * EaglePCB_2_FreeCAD
 * Gears
 * FreeCAD-CuraEngine
 * Animation
 * Lattice2
 * Exploded Animation
 * Fasteners
 * GeoData
 * Nurbs
 * Persistent toolbars
 * Retr3D
 * Timber