Code snippets: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(Marked this version for translation)
m (space)
Line 1,419: Line 1,419:
<!--T:72-->
<!--T:72-->
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]



</translate>
</translate>

Revision as of 13:43, 22 November 2019

Tutorial
Topic
Python
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
Authors
FreeCAD version
Example files
See also
None

This page contains examples, pieces, chunks of FreeCAD python code collected from users experiences and discussions on the forums. Read and use it as a start for your own scripts...

A typical InitGui.py file

Every module must contain, besides your main module file, an InitGui.py file, responsible for inserting the module in the main Gui. This is an example of a simple one.

class ScriptWorkbench (Workbench): 
    MenuText = "Scripts"
    def Initialize(self):
        import Scripts # assuming Scripts.py is your module
        list = ["Script_Cmd"] # That list must contain command names, that can be defined in Scripts.py
        self.appendToolbar("My Scripts",list) 
        
Gui.addWorkbench(ScriptWorkbench())

A typical module file

This is an example of a main module file, containing everything your module does. It is the Scripts.py file invoked by the previous example. You can have all your custom commands here.

import FreeCAD, FreeCADGui 
 
class ScriptCmd: 
   def Activated(self): 
       # Here your write what your ScriptCmd does...
       FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage('Hello, World!')
   def GetResources(self): 
       return {'Pixmap' : 'path_to_an_icon/myicon.png', 'MenuText': 'Short text', 'ToolTip': 'More detailed text'} 
       
FreeCADGui.addCommand('Script_Cmd', ScriptCmd())

Import a new filetype

Making an importer for a new filetype in FreeCAD is easy. FreeCAD doesn't consider that you import data in an opened document, but rather that you simply can directly open the new filetype. So what you need to do is to add the new file extension to FreeCAD's list of known extensions, and write the code that will read the file and create the FreeCAD objects you want:

This line must be added to the InitGui.py file to add the new file extension to the list:

# Assumes Import_Ext.py is the file that has the code for opening and reading .ext files
FreeCAD.addImportType("Your new File Type (*.ext)","Import_Ext")

Then in the Import_Ext.py file:

def open(filename): 
   doc=App.newDocument()
   # here you do all what is needed with filename, read, classify data, create corresponding FreeCAD objects
   doc.recompute()

To export your document to some new filetype works the same way, except that you use:

FreeCAD.addExportType("Your new File Type (*.ext)","Export_Ext") 

Adding a line

A line simply has 2 points.

import Part,PartGui 
doc=App.activeDocument() 
# add a line element to the document and set its points 
l=Part.LineSegment()
l.StartPoint=(0.0,0.0,0.0)
l.EndPoint=(1.0,1.0,1.0)
doc.addObject("Part::Feature","Line").Shape=l.toShape() 
doc.recompute()

Adding a polygon

A polygon is simply a set of connected line segments (a polyline in AutoCAD). It doesn't need to be closed.

import Part,PartGui 
doc=App.activeDocument()
n=list() 
# create a 3D vector, set its coordinates and add it to the list 
v=App.Vector(0,0,0) 
n.append(v) 
v=App.Vector(10,0,0) 
n.append(v) 
#... repeat for all nodes 
# Create a polygon object and set its nodes 
p=doc.addObject("Part::Polygon","Polygon") 
p.Nodes=n 
doc.recompute()

Adding and removing an object to a group

doc=App.activeDocument() 
grp=doc.addObject("App::DocumentObjectGroup", "Group") 
lin=doc.addObject("Part::Feature", "Line")
grp.addObject(lin) # adds the lin object to the group grp
grp.removeObject(lin) # removes the lin object from the group grp

Note: You can even add other groups to a group...

Adding a Mesh

import Mesh
doc=App.activeDocument()
# create a new empty mesh
m = Mesh.Mesh()
# build up box out of 12 facets
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 0.0,0.0,1.0, 0.0,1.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 0.0,1.0,1.0, 0.0,1.0,0.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 1.0,0.0,0.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0, 0.0,0.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 0.0,1.0,0.0, 1.0,1.0,0.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,0.0,0.0, 1.0,1.0,0.0, 1.0,0.0,0.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,1.0,0.0, 0.0,1.0,1.0, 1.0,1.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,1.0,0.0, 1.0,1.0,1.0, 1.0,1.0,0.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,1.0,1.0, 0.0,0.0,1.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(0.0,1.0,1.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0, 1.0,1.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(1.0,1.0,0.0, 1.0,1.0,1.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0)
m.addFacet(1.0,1.0,0.0, 1.0,0.0,1.0, 1.0,0.0,0.0)
# scale to a edge langth of 100
m.scale(100.0)
# add the mesh to the active document
me=doc.addObject("Mesh::Feature","Cube")
me.Mesh=m

Adding an arc or a circle

import Part
doc = App.activeDocument()
c = Part.Circle() 
c.Radius=10.0  
f = doc.addObject("Part::Feature", "Circle") # create a document with a circle feature 
f.Shape = c.toShape() # Assign the circle shape to the shape property 
doc.recompute()

Accessing and changing representation of an object

Each object in a FreeCAD document has an associated view representation object that stores all the parameters that define how the object appear, like color, linewidth, etc...

gad=Gui.activeDocument()   # access the active document containing all 
                          # view representations of the features in the
                          # corresponding App document 

v=gad.getObject("Cube")    # access the view representation to the Mesh feature 'Cube' 
v.ShapeColor               # prints the color to the console 
v.ShapeColor=(1.0,1.0,1.0) # sets the shape color to white

Observing mouse events in the 3D viewer via Python

The Inventor framework allows to add one or more callback nodes to the scenegraph of the viewer. By default in FreeCAD one callback node is installed per viewer which allows to add global or static C++ functions. In the appropriate Python binding some methods are provided to make use of this technique from within Python code.

App.newDocument()
v=Gui.activeDocument().activeView()
 
#This class logs any mouse button events. As the registered callback function fires twice for 'down' and
#'up' events we need a boolean flag to handle this.
class ViewObserver:
   def logPosition(self, info):
       down = (info["State"] == "DOWN")
       pos = info["Position"]
       if (down):
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Clicked on position: ("+str(pos[0])+", "+str(pos[1])+")\n")
       
o = ViewObserver()
c = v.addEventCallback("SoMouseButtonEvent",o.logPosition)

Now, pick somewhere on the area in the 3D viewer and observe the messages in the output window. To finish the observation just call

v.removeEventCallback("SoMouseButtonEvent",c)

The following event types are supported

  • SoEvent -- all kind of events
  • SoButtonEvent -- all mouse button and key events
  • SoLocation2Event -- 2D movement events (normally mouse movements)
  • SoMotion3Event -- 3D movement events (normally spaceball)
  • SoKeyboardEvent -- key down and up events
  • SoMouseButtonEvent -- mouse button down and up events
  • SoSpaceballButtonEvent -- spaceball button down and up events

The Python function that can be registered with addEventCallback() expects a dictionary. Depending on the watched event the dictionary can contain different keys.

For all events it has the keys:

  • Type -- the name of the event type i.e. SoMouseEvent, SoLocation2Event, ...
  • Time -- the current time as string
  • Position -- a tuple of two integers, mouse position
  • ShiftDown -- a boolean, true if Shift was pressed otherwise false
  • CtrlDown -- a boolean, true if Ctrl was pressed otherwise false
  • AltDown -- a boolean, true if Alt was pressed otherwise false

For all button events, i.e. keyboard, mouse or spaceball events

  • State -- A string 'UP' if the button was up, 'DOWN' if it was down or 'UNKNOWN' for all other cases

For keyboard events:

  • Key -- a character of the pressed key

For mouse button event

  • Button -- The pressed button, could be BUTTON1, ..., BUTTON5 or ANY

For spaceball events:

  • Button -- The pressed button, could be BUTTON1, ..., BUTTON7 or ANY

And finally motion events:

  • Translation -- a tuple of three floats
  • Rotation -- a quaternion for the rotation, i.e. a tuple of four floats

Display keys pressed and Events command

This macro displays in the report view the keys pressed and all events command

App.newDocument()
v=Gui.activeDocument().activeView()
class ViewObserver:
   def logPosition(self, info):
       try:
           down = (info["Key"])
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(down)+"\n") # here the character pressed
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(info)+"\n") # list all events command
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("_______________________________________"+"\n")
       except Exception:
           None
 
o = ViewObserver()
c = v.addEventCallback("SoEvent",o.logPosition)

#v.removeEventCallback("SoEvent",c) # remove ViewObserver

Manipulate the scenegraph in Python

It is also possible to get and change the scenegraph in Python, with the 'pivy' module -- a Python binding for Coin.

from pivy.coin import *                # load the pivy module
view = Gui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView   # get the active viewer
root = view.getSceneGraph()            # the root is an SoSeparator node
root.addChild(SoCube())
view.fitAll()

The Python API of pivy is created by using the tool SWIG. As we use in FreeCAD some self-written nodes you cannot create them directly in Python. However, it is possible to create a node by its internal name. An instance of the type 'SoFCSelection' can be created with

type = SoType.fromName("SoFCSelection")
node = type.createInstance()

Adding and removing objects to/from the scenegraph

Adding new nodes to the scenegraph can be done this way. Take care of always adding a SoSeparator to contain the geometry, coordinates and material info of a same object. The following example adds a red line from (0,0,0) to (10,0,0):

from pivy import coin
sg = Gui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.getSceneGraph()
co = coin.SoCoordinate3()
pts = [[0,0,0],[10,0,0]]
co.point.setValues(0,len(pts),pts)
ma = coin.SoBaseColor()
ma.rgb = (1,0,0)
li = coin.SoLineSet()
li.numVertices.setValue(2)
no = coin.SoSeparator()
no.addChild(co)
no.addChild(ma)
no.addChild(li)
sg.addChild(no)

To remove it, simply issue:

sg.removeChild(no)

Saves the sceneGraph with a rotation in a series of 36 files in the X Y Z axis

import math
import time
from FreeCAD import Base
from pivy import coin

size=(1000,1000)
dirname = "C:/Temp/animation/"
steps=36
angle=2*math.pi/steps

matX=Base.Matrix()
matX.rotateX(angle)
stepsX=Base.Placement(matX).Rotation

matY=Base.Matrix()
matY.rotateY(angle)
stepsY=Base.Placement(matY).Rotation

matZ=Base.Matrix()
matZ.rotateZ(angle)
stepsZ=Base.Placement(matZ).Rotation

view=Gui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView
cam=view.getCameraNode()
rotCamera=Base.Rotation(*cam.orientation.getValue().getValue())

# this sets the lookat point to the center of circumsphere of the global bounding box
view.fitAll()

# the camera's position, i.e. the user's eye point
position=Base.Vector(*cam.position.getValue().getValue())
distance=cam.focalDistance.getValue()

# view direction
vec=rotCamera.multVec(Base.Vector(0,0,-1))

# this is the point on the screen the camera looks at
# when rotating the camera we should make this point fix
lookat=position+vec*distance

# around x axis
for i in range(steps):
    rotCamera=stepsX.multiply(rotCamera)
    cam.orientation.setValue(*rotCamera.Q)
    vec=rotCamera.multVec(Base.Vector(0,0,-1))
    pos=lookat-vec*distance
    cam.position.setValue(pos.x,pos.y,pos.z)
    Gui.updateGui()
    time.sleep(0.3)
    view.saveImage(dirname+"x-%d.png" % i,*size)

# around y axis
for i in range(steps):
    rotCamera=stepsY.multiply(rotCamera)
    cam.orientation.setValue(*rotCamera.Q)
    vec=rotCamera.multVec(Base.Vector(0,0,-1))
    pos=lookat-vec*distance
    cam.position.setValue(pos.x,pos.y,pos.z)
    Gui.updateGui()
    time.sleep(0.3)
    view.saveImage(dirname+"y-%d.png" % i,*size)

# around z axis
for i in range(steps):
    rotCamera=stepsZ.multiply(rotCamera)
    cam.orientation.setValue(*rotCamera.Q)
    vec=rotCamera.multVec(Base.Vector(0,0,-1))
    pos=lookat-vec*distance
    cam.position.setValue(pos.x,pos.y,pos.z)
    Gui.updateGui()
    time.sleep(0.3)
    view.saveImage(dirname+"z-%d.png" % i,*size)

Adding custom widgets to the interface

You can create custom widgets with Qt designer, transform them into a python script, and then load them into the FreeCAD interface with PySide.

The python code produced by the Ui python compiler (the tool that converts qt-designer .ui files into python code) generally looks like this (it is simple, you can also code it directly in python):

class myWidget_Ui(object):
    def setupUi(self, myWidget):
        myWidget.setObjectName("my Nice New Widget")
        myWidget.resize(QtCore.QSize(QtCore.QRect(0,0,300,100).size()).expandedTo(myWidget.minimumSizeHint())) # sets size of the widget
 
        self.label = QtGui.QLabel(myWidget) # creates a label
        self.label.setGeometry(QtCore.QRect(50,50,200,24)) # sets its size
        self.label.setObjectName("label") # sets its name, so it can be found by name

    def retranslateUi(self, draftToolbar): # built-in QT function that manages translations of widgets
        myWidget.setWindowTitle(QtGui.QApplication.translate("myWidget", "My Widget", None, QtGui.QApplication.UnicodeUTF8))
        self.label.setText(QtGui.QApplication.translate("myWidget", "Welcome to my new widget!", None, QtGui.QApplication.UnicodeUTF8))

Then, all you need to do is to create a reference to the FreeCAD Qt window, insert a custom widget into it, and "transform" this widget into yours with the Ui code we just made:

app = QtGui.qApp
FCmw = app.activeWindow() # the active qt window, = the freecad window since we are inside it
# FCmw = FreeCADGui.getMainWindow() # use this line if the 'addDockWidget' error is declared
myNewFreeCADWidget = QtGui.QDockWidget() # create a new dckwidget
myNewFreeCADWidget.ui = myWidget_Ui() # load the Ui script
myNewFreeCADWidget.ui.setupUi(myNewFreeCADWidget) # setup the ui
FCmw.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea,myNewFreeCADWidget) # add the widget to the main window

Adding a Tab to the Combo View

The following code allows you to add a tab to the FreeCAD ComboView, besides the "Project" and "Tasks" tabs. It also uses the uic module to load an ui file directly in that tab.

# create new Tab in ComboView
from PySide import QtGui,QtCore
#from PySide import uic

def getMainWindow():
   "returns the main window"
   # using QtGui.qApp.activeWindow() isn't very reliable because if another
   # widget than the mainwindow is active (e.g. a dialog) the wrong widget is
   # returned
   toplevel = QtGui.qApp.topLevelWidgets()
   for i in toplevel:
       if i.metaObject().className() == "Gui::MainWindow":
           return i
   raise Exception("No main window found")

def getComboView(mw):
   dw=mw.findChildren(QtGui.QDockWidget)
   for i in dw:
       if str(i.objectName()) == "Combo View":
           return i.findChild(QtGui.QTabWidget)
       elif str(i.objectName()) == "Python Console":
           return i.findChild(QtGui.QTabWidget)
   raise Exception ("No tab widget found")

mw = getMainWindow()
tab = getComboView(getMainWindow())
tab2=QtGui.QDialog()
tab.addTab(tab2,"A Special Tab")

#uic.loadUi("/myTaskPanelforTabs.ui",tab2)
tab2.show()
#tab.removeTab(2)

Enable or disable a window

from PySide import QtGui
mw=FreeCADGui.getMainWindow()
dws=mw.findChildren(QtGui.QDockWidget)

# objectName may be :
# "Report view"
# "Tree view"
# "Property view"
# "Selection view"
# "Combo View"
# "Python console"
# "draftToolbar"

for i in dws:
  if i.objectName() == "Report view":
    dw=i
    break

va=dw.toggleViewAction()
va.setChecked(True)        # True or False
dw.setVisible(True)        # True or False

Opening a custom webpage

import WebGui
WebGui.openBrowser("http://www.example.com")

Getting the HTML contents of an opened webpage

from PySide import QtGui,QtWebKit
a = QtGui.qApp
mw = a.activeWindow()
v = mw.findChild(QtWebKit.QWebFrame)
html = unicode(v.toHtml())
print html

Retrieve and use the coordinates of 3 selected points or objects

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
# the line above to put the accentuated in the remarks
# If this line is missing, an error will be returned
# extract and use the coordinates of 3 objects selected
import Part, FreeCAD, math, PartGui, FreeCADGui
from FreeCAD import Base, Console
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection() # " sel " contains the items selected
if len(sel)!=3 :
  # If there are no 3 objects selected, an error is displayed in the report view
  # The \r and \n at the end of line mean return and the newline CR + LF.
  Console.PrintError("Select 3 points exactly\r\n")
else :
  points=[]
  for obj in sel:
    points.append(obj.Shape.BoundBox.Center)

  for pt in points:
    # display of the coordinates in the report view
    Console.PrintMessage(str(pt.x)+"\r\n")
    Console.PrintMessage(str(pt.y)+"\r\n")
    Console.PrintMessage(str(pt.z)+"\r\n")

  Console.PrintMessage(str(pt[1]) + "\r\n")

List all objects

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
import FreeCAD,Draft
# List all objects of the document
doc = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
objs = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.Objects
#App.Console.PrintMessage(str(objs) + "\n")
#App.Console.PrintMessage(str(len(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.Objects)) + " Objects"  + "\n")

for obj in objs:
    a = obj.Name                                             # list the Name  of the object  (not modifiable)
    b = obj.Label                                            # list the Label of the object  (modifiable)
    try:
        c = obj.LabelText                                    # list the LabeText of the text (modifiable)
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(a) +" "+ str(b) +" "+ str(c) + "\n") # Displays the Name the Label and the text
    except:
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(a) +" "+ str(b) + "\n") # Displays the Name and the Label of the object

#doc.removeObject("Box") # Clears the designated object

List the dimensions of an object, given its name

for edge in FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.MyObjectName.Shape.Edges: # replace "MyObjectName" for list
    print edge.Length

Function resident with the mouse click action

Here with SelObserver on a object select

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
# causes an action to the mouse click on an object
# This function remains resident (in memory) with the function "addObserver(s)"
# "removeObserver(s) # Uninstalls the resident function
class SelObserver:
    def setPreselection(self,doc,obj,sub):                # Preselection object
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(sub)+ "\n")          # The part of the object name

    def addSelection(self,doc,obj,sub,pnt):               # Selection object
        App.Console.PrintMessage("addSelection"+ "\n")
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(doc)+ "\n")          # Name of the document
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(obj)+ "\n")          # Name of the object
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(sub)+ "\n")          # The part of the object name
        App.Console.PrintMessage(str(pnt)+ "\n")          # Coordinates of the object
        App.Console.PrintMessage("______"+ "\n")

    def removeSelection(self,doc,obj,sub):                # Delete the selected object
        App.Console.PrintMessage("removeSelection"+ "\n")

    def setSelection(self,doc):                           # Selection in ComboView
        App.Console.PrintMessage("setSelection"+ "\n")

    def clearSelection(self,doc):                         # If click on the screen, clear the selection
        App.Console.PrintMessage("clearSelection"+ "\n")  # If click on another object, clear the previous object
s =SelObserver()
FreeCADGui.Selection.addObserver(s)                       # install the function mode resident
#FreeCADGui.Selection.removeObserver(s)                   # Uninstall the resident function

Other example with ViewObserver on a object select or view

App.newDocument()
v=Gui.activeDocument().activeView()
 
#This class logs any mouse button events. As the registered callback function fires twice for 'down' and
#'up' events we need a boolean flag to handle this.
class ViewObserver:
   def __init__(self, view):
       self.view = view
   
   def logPosition(self, info):
       down = (info["State"] == "DOWN")
       pos = info["Position"]
       if (down):
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Clicked on position: ("+str(pos[0])+", "+str(pos[1])+")\n")
           pnt = self.view.getPoint(pos)
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("World coordinates: " + str(pnt) + "\n")
           info = self.view.getObjectInfo(pos)
           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Object info: " + str(info) + "\n")

o = ViewObserver(v)
c = v.addEventCallback("SoMouseButtonEvent",o.logPosition)

Finding-selecting all elements below cursor

from pivy import coin
import FreeCADGui

def mouse_over_cb( event_callback):
    event = event_callback.getEvent()
    pos = event.getPosition().getValue()
    listObjects = FreeCADGui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.getObjectsInfo((int(pos[0]),int(pos[1])))
    obj = []
    if listObjects:
        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("\n *** Objects under mouse pointer ***")
        for o in listObjects:
            label = str(o["Object"])
            if not label in obj:
                obj.append(label)
        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("\n"+str(obj))


view = FreeCADGui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView

mouse_over = view.addEventCallbackPivy( coin.SoLocation2Event.getClassTypeId(), mouse_over_cb )

# to remove Callback :
#view.removeEventCallbackPivy( coin.SoLocation2Event.getClassTypeId(), mouse_over)

####
#The easy way is probably to use FreeCAD's selection.
#FreeCADGui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.getObjectsInfo(mouse_coords)

####
#you get that kind of result :
#'Document': 'Unnamed', 'Object': 'Box', 'Component': 'Face2', 'y': 8.604081153869629, 'x': 21.0, 'z': 8.553047180175781

####
#You can use this data to add your element to FreeCAD's selection :
#FreeCADGui.Selection.addSelection(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.Box,'Face2',21.0,8.604081153869629,8.553047180175781)

List the components of an object

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
# This function list the components of an object
# and extract this object its XYZ coordinates,
# its edges and their lengths center of mass and coordinates
# its faces and their center of mass
# its faces and their surfaces and coordinates
# 8/05/2014

import Draft,Part
def detail():
    sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()   # Select an object
    if len(sel) != 0:                           # If there is a selection then
        Vertx=[]
        Edges=[]
        Faces=[]
        compt_V=0
        compt_E=0
        compt_F=0
        pas    =0
        perimetre = 0.0   
        EdgesLong = []

        # Displays the "Name" and the "Label" of the selection
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Selection > " + str(sel[0].Name) + "  " + str(sel[0].Label) +"\n"+"\n")

        for j in enumerate(sel[0].Shape.Edges):                                     # Search the "Edges" and their lengths
            compt_E+=1
            Edges.append("Edge%d" % (j[0]+1))
            EdgesLong.append(str(sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].Length))
            perimetre += (sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].Length)                     # calculates the perimeter

            # Displays the "Edge" and its length
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Edge"+str(compt_E)+" Length > "+str(sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].Length)+"\n")

            # Displays the "Edge" and its center mass
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Edge"+str(compt_E)+" Center > "+str(sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].CenterOfMass)+"\n")

            num = sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].Vertexes[0]
            Vertx.append("X1: "+str(num.Point.x))
            Vertx.append("Y1: "+str(num.Point.y))
            Vertx.append("Z1: "+str(num.Point.z))
            # Displays the coordinates 1
            App.Console.PrintMessage("X1: "+str(num.Point[0])+" Y1: "+str(num.Point[1])+" Z1: "+str(num.Point[2])+"\n")

            try:
                num = sel[0].Shape.Edges[compt_E-1].Vertexes[1]
                Vertx.append("X2: "+str(num.Point.x))
                Vertx.append("Y2: "+str(num.Point.y))
                Vertx.append("Z2: "+str(num.Point.z))
            except:
                Vertx.append("-")
                Vertx.append("-")
                Vertx.append("-")
            # Displays the coordinates 2
            App.Console.PrintMessage("X2: "+str(num.Point[0])+" Y2: "+str(num.Point[1])+" Z2: "+str(num.Point[2])+"\n")

            App.Console.PrintMessage("\n")
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Perimeter of the form  : "+str(perimetre)+"\n") 

        App.Console.PrintMessage("\n")
        FacesSurf = []
        for j in enumerate(sel[0].Shape.Faces):                                      # Search the "Faces" and their surface
            compt_F+=1
            Faces.append("Face%d" % (j[0]+1))
            FacesSurf.append(str(sel[0].Shape.Faces[compt_F-1].Area))

            # Displays 'Face' and its surface
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Face"+str(compt_F)+" >  Surface "+str(sel[0].Shape.Faces[compt_F-1].Area)+"\n")

            # Displays 'Face' and its CenterOfMass
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Face"+str(compt_F)+" >  Center  "+str(sel[0].Shape.Faces[compt_F-1].CenterOfMass)+"\n")

            # Displays 'Face' and its Coordinates
            FacesCoor = []
            fco = 0
            for f0 in sel[0].Shape.Faces[compt_F-1].Vertexes:                        # Search the Vertexes of the face
                fco += 1
                FacesCoor.append("X"+str(fco)+": "+str(f0.Point.x))
                FacesCoor.append("Y"+str(fco)+": "+str(f0.Point.y))
                FacesCoor.append("Z"+str(fco)+": "+str(f0.Point.z))

            # Displays 'Face' and its Coordinates
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Face"+str(compt_F)+" >  Coordinate"+str(FacesCoor)+"\n")

            # Displays 'Face' and its Volume
            App.Console.PrintMessage("Face"+str(compt_F)+" >  Volume  "+str(sel[0].Shape.Faces[compt_F-1].Volume)+"\n")
            App.Console.PrintMessage("\n")

        # Displays the total surface of the form
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Surface of the form    : "+str(sel[0].Shape.Area)+"\n")

        # Displays the total Volume of the form
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Volume  of the form    : "+str(sel[0].Shape.Volume)+"\n")

detail()

List the PropertiesList

import FreeCADGui
from FreeCAD import Console
o = App.ActiveDocument.ActiveObject
op = o.PropertiesList
for p in op:
    Console.PrintMessage("Property: "+ str(p)+ " Value: " + str(o.getPropertyByName(p))+"\r\n")

Adding one Property "Comment"

import Draft
obj = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()[0]
obj.addProperty("App::PropertyString","GComment","Draft","Font name").GComment = "Comment here"
App.activeDocument().recompute()

Search and data extraction

Examples of research and decoding information on an object.

Each section is independently and is separated by "############" can be copied directly into the Python console, or in a macro or use this macro. The description of the macro in the commentary.

Displaying it in the "View Report" window (View > Views > View report)

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
# Exemples de recherche et de decodage d'informations sur un objet
# Chaque section peut etre copiee directement dans la console Python ou dans une macro ou utilisez la macro tel quel
# Certaines commandes se repetent seul l'approche est differente
# L'affichage se fait dans la Vue rapport : Menu Affichage > Vues > Vue rapport
#
# Examples of research and decoding information on an object
# Each section can be copied directly into the Python console, or in a macro or uses this macro
# Certain commands as repeat alone approach is different
# Displayed on Report view : Menu View > Views > report view
#
# rev:30/08/2014:29/09/2014:17/09/2015 22/11/2019
 
from FreeCAD import Base
import DraftVecUtils, Draft, Part

# search the name of the active document 
mydoc = FreeCAD.activeDocument().Name                                     # Name of active Document
App.Console.PrintMessage("Active docu    : "+(mydoc)+"\n")
##################################################################################

# search the label of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
object_Label = sel[0].Label                                               # Label of the object (modifiable)
App.Console.PrintMessage("object_Label   : "+(object_Label)+"\n")
##################################################################################

#TypeID object FreeCAD selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
App.Console.PrintMessage("sel            : "+str(sel[0])+"\n\n")          # sel[0] first object selected
##################################################################################

# search the Name of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
object_Name  = sel[0].Name                                                # Name of the object (not modifiable)
App.Console.PrintMessage("object_Name    : "+str(object_Name)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# search the Sub Element Name of the sub object selected
try:
    SubElement = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelectionEx()                    # sub element name with getSelectionEx()
    element_ = SubElement[0].SubElementNames[0]                           # name of 1 element selected
    App.Console.PrintMessage("elementSelec   : "+str(element_)+"\n\n")            
except:
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Oups"+"\n\n")            
##################################################################################

# give the length of the subObject selected
SubElementLength = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Length # sub element or element name with getSelectionEx()
App.Console.PrintMessage("SubElement length: "+str(SubElementLength)+"\n")# length
##################################################################################

# list the edges and the coordinates of the object[0] selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
i = 0
for j in enumerate(sel[0].Shape.Edges):                                   # list all Edges
    i += 1
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Edges n : "+str(i)+"\n")
    a = sel[0].Shape.Edges[j[0]].Vertexes[0]
    App.Console.PrintMessage("X1             : "+str(a.Point.x)+"\n")     # coordinate XYZ first point
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Y1             : "+str(a.Point.y)+"\n")     #
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Z1             : "+str(a.Point.z)+"\n")     #
    try:
        a = sel[0].Shape.Edges[j[0]].Vertexes[1]
        App.Console.PrintMessage("X2             : "+str(a.Point.x)+"\n") # coordinate XYZ second point
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Y2             : "+str(a.Point.y)+"\n") #
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Z2             : "+str(a.Point.z)+"\n") #
    except:
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Oups"+"\n")    
App.Console.PrintMessage("\n")    
##################################################################################

# give the sub element name, length, coordinates, BoundBox, BoundBox.Center, Area of the SubObjects selected
try:
    SubElement = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelectionEx()                                        # sub element name with getSelectionEx()
    subElementName = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubElementNames[0]                     # sub element name with getSelectionEx()
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subElementName : "+str(subElementName)+"\n")
    
    subObjectLength = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Length                  # sub element Length
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObjectLength: "+str(subObjectLength)+"\n\n")
    
    subObjectX1 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[0].Point.x         # sub element coordinate X1
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_X1   : "+str(subObjectX1)+"\n")
    subObjectY1 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[0].Point.y         # sub element coordinate Y1
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_Y1   : "+str(subObjectY1)+"\n")
    subObjectZ1 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[0].Point.z         # sub element coordinate Z1
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_Z1   : "+str(subObjectZ1)+"\n\n")

    try:
        subObjectX2 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[1].Point.x     # sub element coordinate X2
        App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_X2   : "+str(subObjectX2)+"\n")
        subObjectY2 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[1].Point.y     # sub element coordinate Y2
        App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_Y2   : "+str(subObjectY2)+"\n")
        subObjectZ2 = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Vertexes[1].Point.z     # sub element coordinate Z2
        App.Console.PrintMessage("subObject_Z2   : "+str(subObjectZ2)+"\n\n")
    except:
        App.Console.PrintMessage("Oups"+"\n\n")            

    subObjectBoundBox = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].BoundBox              # sub element BoundBox coordinates
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObjectBBox  : "+str(subObjectBoundBox)+"\n")
    
    subObjectBoundBoxCenter = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].BoundBox.Center # sub element BoundBoxCenter
    App.Console.PrintMessage("subObjectBBoxCe: "+str(subObjectBoundBoxCenter)+"\n")
    
    surfaceFace = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].Area                        # Area of the face selected
    App.Console.PrintMessage("surfaceFace    : "+str(surfaceFace)+"\n\n")
except:
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Oups"+"\n\n")            
##################################################################################

# give the area of the object
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
surface = sel[0].Shape.Area                                               # Area object complete
App.Console.PrintMessage("surfaceObjet   : "+str(surface)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the Center Of Mass and coordinates of the object
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
CenterOfMass = sel[0].Shape.CenterOfMass                                  # Center of Mass of the object
App.Console.PrintMessage("CenterOfMass   : "+str(CenterOfMass)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("CenterOfMassX  : "+str(CenterOfMass[0])+"\n")   # coordinates [0]=X [1]=Y [2]=Z
App.Console.PrintMessage("CenterOfMassY  : "+str(CenterOfMass[1])+"\n")   # or CenterOfMass.x, CenterOfMass.y, CenterOfMass.z
App.Console.PrintMessage("CenterOfMassZ  : "+str(CenterOfMass[2])+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# list the all faces of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
for j in enumerate(sel[0].Shape.Faces):                                   # List alles faces of the object
    App.Console.PrintMessage("Face           : "+str("Face%d" % (j[0]+1))+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the volume of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
volume_ = sel[0].Shape.Volume                                             # Volume of the object
App.Console.PrintMessage("volume_        : "+str(volume_)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################
 
# give the BoundBox of the oject selected all type
objs = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
if len(objs) >= 1:                                                         # serch the object type
    if hasattr(objs[0], "Shape"):
        s = objs[0].Shape
    elif hasattr(objs[0], "Mesh"):      # upgrade with wmayer thanks #http://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22331
        s = objs[0].Mesh
    elif hasattr(objs[0], "Points"):
        s = objs[0].Points

boundBox_= s.BoundBox                                                     # BoundBox of the object
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBox_      : "+str(boundBox_)+"\n")         # 
 
boundBoxLX   = boundBox_.XLength                                          # Length x boundBox rectangle
boundBoxLY   = boundBox_.YLength                                          # Length y boundBox rectangle
boundBoxLZ   = boundBox_.ZLength                                          # Length z boundBox rectangle

boundBoxXMin = boundBox_.XMin                                             # coordonate XMin
boundBoxYMin = boundBox_.YMin                                             # coordonate YMin
boundBoxZMin = boundBox_.ZMin                                             # coordonate ZMin
boundBoxXMax = boundBox_.XMax                                             # coordonate XMax
boundBoxYMax = boundBox_.YMax                                             # coordonate YMax
boundBoxZMax = boundBox_.ZMax                                             # coordonate ZMax

boundBoxDiag= boundBox_.DiagonalLength                                    # Diagonal Length boundBox rectangle
boundBoxCenter = boundBox_.Center                                         # BoundBox Center

App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxLX     : "+str(boundBoxLX)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxLY     : "+str(boundBoxLY)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxLZ     : "+str(boundBoxLZ)+"\n\n")

App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxXMin   : "+str(boundBoxXMin)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxYMin   : "+str(boundBoxYMin)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxZMin   : "+str(boundBoxZMin)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxXMax   : "+str(boundBoxXMax)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxYMax   : "+str(boundBoxYMax)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxZMax   : "+str(boundBoxZMax)+"\n\n")

App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxDiag   : "+str(boundBoxDiag)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("boundBoxCenter : "+str(boundBoxCenter)+"\n\n")

##################################################################################

# give the complete placement of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
pl = sel[0].Shape.Placement                                               # Placement Vector XYZ and Yaw-Pitch-Roll
App.Console.PrintMessage("Placement      : "+str(pl)+"\n")
##################################################################################

# give the placement Base (xyz) of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
pl = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Base                                          # Placement Vector XYZ
App.Console.PrintMessage("PlacementBase  : "+str(pl)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################
 
# give the placement Base (xyz) of the object selected
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
oripl_X = sel[0].Placement.Base[0]                                        # decode Placement X
oripl_Y = sel[0].Placement.Base[1]                                        # decode Placement Y
oripl_Z = sel[0].Placement.Base[2]                                        # decode Placement Z

# same 
#oripl_X = sel[0].Placement.Base.x                                        # decode Placement X
#oripl_Y = sel[0].Placement.Base.y                                        # decode Placement Y
#oripl_Z = sel[0].Placement.Base.z                                        # decode Placement Z
 
App.Console.PrintMessage("oripl_X        : "+str(oripl_X)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("oripl_Y        : "+str(oripl_Y)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("oripl_Z        : "+str(oripl_Z)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the placement rotation of the object selected (x, y, z, angle rotation)
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
rotation = sel[0].Placement.Rotation                                      # decode Placement Rotation
App.Console.PrintMessage("rotation              : "+str(rotation)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the placement rotation of the object selected (x, y, z, angle rotation)
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
pl = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation                                      # decode Placement Rotation other method
App.Console.PrintMessage("Placement Rot         : "+str(pl)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the rotation of the object selected (angle rotation)
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
pl = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation.Angle                                # decode Placement Rotation Angle
App.Console.PrintMessage("Placement Rot Angle   : "+str(pl)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the rotation.Q of the object selected (angle rotation in Radian) for convert: math.degrees(angleInRadian)
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                                 # select object with getSelection()
Rot   = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Q                                       # Placement Rotation Q
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot           : "+str(Rot)+ "\n")
 
Rot_0 = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Q[0]                                    # decode Placement Rotation Q
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_0         : "+str(Rot_0)+ " rad ,  "+str(180 * Rot_0 / 3.1416)+" deg "+"\n") # or math.degrees(angle)
 
Rot_1 = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Q[1]                                    # decode Placement Rotation 1
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_1         : "+str(Rot_1)+ " rad ,  "+str(180 * Rot_1 / 3.1416)+" deg "+"\n") # or math.degrees(angle)
 
Rot_2 = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Q[2]                                    # decode Placement Rotation 2
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_2         : "+str(Rot_2)+ " rad ,  "+str(180 * Rot_2 / 3.1416)+" deg "+"\n") # or math.degrees(angle)

Rot_3 = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Q[3]                                    # decode Placement Rotation 3
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_3         : "+str(Rot_3)+"\n\n")

Rot_Axis = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Axis                                 # Placement Rotation .Axis
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_Axis      : "+str(Rot_Axis)+ "\n")
 
Rot_Angle = sel[0].Placement.Rotation.Angle                               # Placement Rotation .Angle
App.Console.PrintMessage("Rot_Angle     : "+str(Rot_Angle)+ "\n\n")
##################################################################################

# give the rotation of the object selected toEuler (angle rotation in degrees)
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()                             # select object with getSelection()
angle   = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation.toEuler()                   # angle Euler
App.Console.PrintMessage("Angle          : "+str(angle)+"\n")
Yaw   = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation.toEuler()[0]                  # decode angle Euler Yaw (Z) lacet (alpha)
App.Console.PrintMessage("Yaw            : "+str(Yaw)+"\n")
Pitch = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation.toEuler()[1]                  # decode angle Euler Pitch (Y) tangage (beta)
App.Console.PrintMessage("Pitch          : "+str(Pitch)+"\n")
Roll  = sel[0].Shape.Placement.Rotation.toEuler()[2]                  # decode angle Euler Roll (X) roulis (gamma)
App.Console.PrintMessage("Roll           : "+str(Roll)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

# find Midpoint of the selected line
import Draft, DraftGeomUtils
sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
vecteur = DraftGeomUtils.findMidpoint(sel[0].Shape.Edges[0])              # find Midpoint
App.Console.PrintMessage(vecteur)
Draft.makePoint(vecteur)
##################################################################################

Manual search of an element with label

# Extract the coordinate X,Y,Z and Angle giving the label (here "Cylindre")
App.Console.PrintMessage("Base.x       : "+str(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.getObjectsByLabel("Cylindre")[0].Placement.Base.x)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("Base.y       : "+str(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.getObjectsByLabel("Cylindre")[0].Placement.Base.y)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("Base.z       : "+str(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.getObjectsByLabel("Cylindre")[0].Placement.Base.z)+"\n")
App.Console.PrintMessage("Base.Angle   : "+str(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.getObjectsByLabel("Cylindre")[0].Placement.Rotation.Angle)+"\n\n")
##################################################################################

PS: Usually the angles are given in Radian to convert :

  1. angle in Degrees to Radians :
    • Angle in radian = pi * (angle in degree) / 180
    • Angle in radian = math.radians(angle in degree)
  2. angle in Radians to Degrees :
    • Angle in degree = 180 * (angle in radian) / pi
    • Angle in degree = math.degrees(angle in radian)

Cartesian coordinates

This code displays the Cartesian coordinates of the selected item.

Change the value of "numberOfPoints" if you want a different number of points (precision)

numberOfPoints = 100                                                         # Decomposition number (or precision you can change)
selectedEdge = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].copy() # select one element
points  = selectedEdge.discretize(numberOfPoints)                            # discretize the element
i=0
for p in points:                                                             # list and display the coordinates
    i+=1
    print i, " X", p.x, " Y", p.y, " Z", p.z

Other method display on "Int" and "Float"

import Part
from FreeCAD import Base

c=Part.makeCylinder(2,10)        # create the circle
Part.show(c)                     # display the shape

# slice accepts two arguments:
#+ the normal of the cross section plane
#+ the distance from the origin to the cross section plane. Here you have to find a value so that the plane intersects your object
s=c.slice(Base.Vector(0,1,0),0)  # 

# here the result is a single wire
# depending on the source object this can be several wires
s=s[0]

# if you only need the vertexes of the shape you can use
v=[]
for i in s.Vertexes:
    v.append(i.Point)

# but you can also sub-sample the section to have a certain number of points (int) ...
p1=s.discretize(20)
ii=0
for i in p1:
    ii+=1
    print i                                              # Vector()
    print ii, ": X:", i.x, " Y:", i.y, " Z:", i.z        # Vector decode
Draft.makeWire(p1,closed=False,face=False,support=None)  # to see the difference accuracy (20)

## uncomment to use
#import Draft
#Draft.downgrade(App.ActiveDocument.ActiveObject,delete=True)  # first transform the DWire in Wire         "downgrade"
#Draft.downgrade(App.ActiveDocument.ActiveObject,delete=True)  # second split the Wire in single objects   "downgrade"
#
##Draft.upgrade(FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection(),delete=True) # to attach lines contiguous SELECTED use "upgrade"


# ... or define a sampling distance (float)
p2=s.discretize(0.5)
ii=0
for i in p2:
    ii+=1
    print i                                              # Vector()
    print ii, ": X:", i.x, " Y:", i.y, " Z:", i.z        # Vector decode 
Draft.makeWire(p2,closed=False,face=False,support=None)  # to see the difference accuracy (0.5)

## uncomment to use
#import Draft
#Draft.downgrade(App.ActiveDocument.ActiveObject,delete=True)  # first transform the DWire in Wire         "downgrade"
#Draft.downgrade(App.ActiveDocument.ActiveObject,delete=True)  # second split the Wire in single objects   "downgrade"
#
##Draft.upgrade(FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection(),delete=True) # to attach lines contiguous SELECTED use "upgrade"

Select all objects in the document

import FreeCAD
for obj in FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.Objects:
    print obj.Name                                # display the object Name
    objName = obj.Name
    obj = App.ActiveDocument.getObject(objName)
    Gui.Selection.addSelection(obj)               # select the object

Selecting a face of an object

# select one face of the object
import FreeCAD, Draft
App=FreeCAD
nameObject = "Box"                             # objet
faceSelect = "Face3"                           # face to selection
loch=App.ActiveDocument.getObject(nameObject)  # objet
Gui.Selection.clearSelection()                 # clear all selection
Gui.Selection.addSelection(loch,faceSelect)    # select the face specified
s = Gui.Selection.getSelectionEx()
#Draft.makeFacebinder(s)                       #

Create one object to the position of the Camera

# create one object of the position to camera with "getCameraOrientation()"
# the object is still facing the screen
import Draft

plan = FreeCADGui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.getCameraOrientation()
plan = str(plan)
###### extract data
a    = ""
for i in plan:
    if i in ("0123456789e.- "):
        a+=i
a = a.strip(" ")
a = a.split(" ")
####### extract data

#print a
#print a[0]
#print a[1]
#print a[2]
#print a[3]

xP = float(a[0])
yP = float(a[1])
zP = float(a[2])
qP = float(a[3])

pl = FreeCAD.Placement()
pl.Rotation.Q = (xP,yP,zP,qP)         # rotation of object
pl.Base = FreeCAD.Vector(0.0,0.0,0.0) # here coordinates XYZ of Object
rec = Draft.makeRectangle(length=10.0,height=10.0,placement=pl,face=False,support=None) # create rectangle
#rec = Draft.makeCircle(radius=5,placement=pl,face=False,support=None)                   # create circle
print rec.Name

here same code simplified

import Draft
pl = FreeCAD.Placement()
pl.Rotation = FreeCADGui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.getCameraOrientation()
pl.Base = FreeCAD.Vector(0.0,0.0,0.0)
rec = Draft.makeRectangle(length=10.0,height=10.0,placement=pl,face=False,support=None)

Find normal vector on the surface

This example show how to find normal vector on the surface by find the u,v parameters of one point on the surface and use u,v parameters to find normal vector

def normal(self):
   ss=FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[0].copy()#SubObjects[0] is the edge list
   points  = ss.discretize(3.0)#points on the surface edge, 
             #this example just use points on the edge for example. 
             #However point is not necessary on the edge, it can be anywhere on the surface. 
   face=FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelectionEx()[0].SubObjects[1]
   for pp in points:
      pt=FreeCAD.Base.Vector(pp.x,pp.y,pp.z)#a point on the surface edge
      uv=face.Surface.parameter(pt)# find the surface u,v parameter of a point on the surface edge
      u=uv[0]
      v=uv[1]
      normal=face.normalAt(u,v)#use u,v to find normal vector
      print normal
      line=Part.makeLine((pp.x,pp.y,pp.z), (normal.x,normal.y,normal.z))
      Part.show(line)

Read And write one Expression

import Draft
doc = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument

pl=FreeCAD.Placement()
pl.Rotation.Q=(0.0,-0.0,-0.0,1.0)
pl.Base=FreeCAD.Vector(0.0,0.0,0.0)
obj = Draft.makeCircle(radius=1.0,placement=pl,face=False,support=None)    # create circle

print obj.PropertiesList                                                   # properties disponible in the obj

doc.getObject(obj.Name).setExpression('Radius', u'2mm')                    # modify the radius
doc.getObject(obj.Name).setExpression('Placement.Base.x', u'10mm')         # modify the placement 
doc.getObject(obj.Name).setExpression('FirstAngle', u'90')                 # modify the first angle
doc.recompute()

expressions = obj.ExpressionEngine                                         # read the expression list
print expressions

for i in expressions:                                                      # list and separate the data expression
    print i[0]," = ",i[1]

Get the normal vector of a surface from a STL file

def getNormal(cb):
    if cb.getEvent().getState() == coin.SoButtonEvent.UP:
        pp = cb.getPickedPoint()
        if pp:
            vec = pp.getNormal().getValue()
            index = coin.cast(pp.getDetail(), "SoFaceDetail").getFaceIndex()
            print ("Normal: {}, Face index: {}".format(str(vec), index))

from pivy import coin
meth=Gui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.addEventCallbackPivy(coin.SoMouseButtonEvent.getClassTypeId(), getNormal)

you are done then run for quit:

Gui.ActiveDocument.ActiveView.removeEventCallbackPivy(coin.SoMouseButtonEvent.getClassTypeId(), meth)