TechDraw Workbench/zh
Introduction
The TechDraw Workbench is used to produce basic technical drawings from 3D models created with another workbench such as Part, PartDesign, or BIM, or imported from other applications. Each drawing is a Page, which can contain various Views of drawable objects such as Part::Features, PartDesign::Bodies, App::Part groups, and Document Object groups. The resulting drawings can be used for things like documentation, manufacturing instructions, contracts, permits, etc.
Dimensions, sections, hatched areas, annotations, and SVG symbols can be added to the page, which can be further exported to different formats like DXF, SVG, and PDF.
If your primary goal is the production of complex 2D drawings and DXF files, and you don't need 3D modelling, FreeCAD may not be the right choice for you. You may wish to consider a dedicated software program for technical drafting instead, such as LibreCAD or QCad.
Snapping
introduced in version 1.0: The TechDraw Workbench has a snapping feature. It can be used to automatically align views, section views and dimensions when positioning them by dragging with the mouse. With Snap View Alignment enabled (default) in the preferences, views will snap to alignment with other views when close enough (View Snapping Factor setting). Dimensions are also snapped to other parallel dimensions and the dimension text can be snapped to the middle of the dimension line. Snapping can be temporarily disabled by holding down the Alt key.
Tools
Pages
Insert Default Page: adds a new page using the default template.
Insert Page using Template: adds a new page using a selected template.
Redraw Page: forces an update of the selected page.
Print All Pages: prints all pages in a document. introduced in version 0.21
Export Page as SVG: saves the current page as SVG file.
Export Page as DXF: saves the current page as DXF file.
Views
TechDraw views
Insert View: adds a representation of one or more objects. introduced in version 1.0: It can create a single view, a Projection Group, a Spreadsheet View, an Arch View, a Symbol or an Image View.
Insert Broken View: adds a broken view of one or more objects. introduced in version 1.0
Insert Section View: inserts a cross-section view of an existing view.
Insert Complex Section View: inserts a cross-section view of an existing view based on a profile. introduced in version 0.21
Insert Detail View: inserts a detail view of a portion of an existing view.
Insert Projection Group: invokes a dialog to create multiple views of an object from different directions. introduced in version 1.0: The Insert View tool can be used instead.
Insert Clip Group: inserts a clip group.
Insert SVG Symbol: inserts a symbol from a SVG file into a page. introduced in version 1.0: The Insert View tool can be used instead.
Insert Bitmap Image: inserts a PNG or JPG bitmap image into a page. introduced in version 1.0: The Insert View tool can be used instead.
Share View: shares a view between multiple pages.
Turn View Frames On/Off: turns on/off frames and labels surrounding a view.
Project Shape: creates projections of shapes in the 3D view.
Views from other workbenches
Insert Active View: inserts a view of the active 3D view.
Insert Draft Workbench Object: inserts a view of a Draft Workbench object.
Insert BIM Workbench Object: inserts a view of a BIM Workbench Arch Section Plane object. introduced in version 1.0: The Insert View tool can be used instead.
Insert Spreadsheet View: inserts a view of a Spreadsheet Workbench sheet. introduced in version 1.0: The Insert View tool can be used instead.
Stacking
These are tools for changing the stacking order which controls the apparent depth of views on a page.
Move view to top of stack: moves views to the top of the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21
Move view to bottom of stack: moves views to the bottom of the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21
Move view up one level: moves views up one level in the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21
Move view down one level: moves views down one level in the stacking order. introduced in version 0.21
Dimensions
Insert Dimension: adds a contextual dimension. introduced in version 1.0
Insert Length Dimension: adds a length dimension.
Insert Horizontal Dimension: adds a horizontal length dimension.
Insert Vertical Dimension: adds a vertical length dimension.
Insert Radius Dimension: adds a radius dimension to a circle or circular arc.
Insert Diameter Dimension: adds a diameter dimension to a circle or a circular arc.
Insert Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension between two straight edges.
Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension: adds an angle dimension using three vertices.
Insert Area Annotation: adds an area dimension to a face. introduced in version 1.0
Create Arc Length Dimension: creates an arc length dimension.
Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension: adds a horizontal extent dimension.
Insert Vertical Extent Dimension: adds a vertical extent dimension.
Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned horizontal dimensions.
Create Vertical Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned vertical dimensions.
Create Oblique Chain Dimensions: creates a sequence of aligned oblique dimensions.
Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced horizontal dimensions starting from the same baseline.
Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced vertical dimensions starting from the same baseline.
Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions: creates multiple evenly spaced oblique dimensions starting from the same baseline.
Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension: creates a horizontal size and angle dimension for a chamfer.
Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension: creates a vertical size and angle dimension for a chamfer.
Insert Balloon Annotation: adds a "balloon" annotation to a page.
Insert Axonometric Length Dimension: adds an axonometric length dimension. introduced in version 0.21
Insert Landmark Dimension - EXPERIMENTAL: adds a landmark distance dimension.
Dimension Repair: can adjust the 2D or 3D geometry references of a dimension. introduced in version 0.21
Link Dimension to 3D Geometry: links an existing dimension to the 3D geometry (deprecated).
Hatching
Hatch Face using Image File: applies a hatch pattern from a file to a face.
Apply Geometric Hatch to Face: applies a hatch pattern to a face using an Autodesk PAT specification.
Annotations
Insert Annotation: adds a plain text block as annotation.
Add Leaderline to View: adds a leaderline to a view.
Insert Rich Text Annotation: adds an rich text block as annotation to a leaderline or a view.
Add Cosmetic Vertex: adds a Vertex which is not part of the source geometry.
Add Midpoint Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at midpoints of selected edges.
Add Quadrant Vertices: adds Cosmetic Vertices at quarter points of selected (circular) edges.
Add Centerline to Faces: adds a centerline to selected face(s).
Add Centerline between 2 Lines: adds a centerline between 2 lines.
Add Centerline between 2 Points: adds a centerline between 2 points.
Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points: adds a cosmetic line connecting 2 vertices.
Add Cosmetic Circle: adds a cosmetic circle. introduced in version 1.0
Change Appearance of Lines: changes the appearance of selected line(s).
Show/Hide Invisible Edges: shows/hides invisible lines/edges in a view.
Add Welding Information to Leader: adds welding specifications to an existing leaderline.
Add Surface Finish Symbol: adds a surface finish symbol to a page. introduced in version 0.21
Add Hole/Shaft Fit: adds hole or shaft tolerances using ISO 286 to a dimension. introduced in version 0.21
Extensions
Attributes and modifications
Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance: selects the attributes (style, width and color) for new cosmetic lines and centerlines, and specifies the cascade spacing and delta distance.
Change Line Attributes: changes the attributes (style, width and color) of cosmetic lines and centerlines.
Extend Line: extends a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends.
Shorten Line: shortens a cosmetic line or centerline at both ends.
Lock/Unlock View: locks or unlocks the position of a view.
Position Section View: orthogonally aligns a section view with its source view.
Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions: aligns horizontal dimensions to create a chain dimension.
Position Vertical Chain Dimensions: aligns vertical dimensions to create a chain dimension.
Position Oblique Chain Dimensions: aligns oblique dimensions to create a chain dimension.
Cascade Horizontal Dimensions: evenly spaces horizontal dimensions.
Cascade Vertical Dimensions: evenly spaces vertical dimensions.
Cascade Oblique Dimensions: evenly spaces oblique dimensions.
Calculate the area of selected faces: calculates the area of selected faces and inserts an area annotation.
Calculate the arc length of selected edges: calculates the arc length of selected edges and inserts an arc length annotation. introduced in version 1.0
Customize format label: customizes the formatting of a balloon text or dimension text. GD&T symbols and other special character can be added.
Centerlines and threading
Add Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to circles and arcs.
Add Bolt Circle Centerlines: adds centerlines to a circular pattern of circles.
Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a hole.
Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of holes.
Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View: adds a cosmetic thread to the side view of a bolt/screw/rod.
Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View: adds a cosmetic thread to the top or bottom view of bolts/screws/rods.
Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es): adds cosmetic vertex(es) at the intersection(s) of selected edges.
Add an offset vertex: adds a cosmetic vertex at a specified offset from a selected vertex. introduced in version 1.0
Add Cosmetic Circle: adds a cosmetic circle based on two vertexes.
Add Cosmetic Arc: adds a cosmetic counter clockwise arc based on three vertexes.
Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points: adds a cosmetic circle based on three vertexes.
Add Cosmetic Parallel Line: adds a cosmetic line parallel to another line through a vertex.
Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line: adds a cosmetic line perpendicular to another line through a vertex.
Dimensions
Several of the Extensions dimension tools are listed under Dimensions above.
Insert '⌀' Prefix: inserts a '⌀' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text.
Insert '□' Prefix: inserts a '□' symbol at the beginning of the dimension text.
Insert 'n×' Prefix: inserts a repeated feature count at the beginning of the dimension text. introduced in version 1.0
Remove Prefix: removes all symbols at the beginning of the dimension text.
Increase Decimal Places: increases the number of decimal places of the dimension text.
Decrease Decimal Places: decreases the number of decimal places of the dimension text.
Miscellaneous
Remove Cosmetic Object: removes cosmetic objects from a page.
Obsolete tools
Add View to Clip Group: adds an existing view to a clip group. Not available in version 1.0 and above.
Remove View from Clip Group: removes a view from a clip group. Not available in version 1.0 and above.
Move View: moves a view and its dependents to a different page. Not available in version 1.0 and above.
Additional features
- Line Groups: to control the appearance of various types of lines.
- Templates: the default templates defined for the drawing pages.
- Hatching: explanation of the different hatching techniques.
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing: explanation on how to achieve geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
Preferences
Preferences: preferences for the default values of the drawing page such as projection angle, colors, text sizes, and line styles.
Scripting
The TechDraw tools can be used in macros and from the Python console. For more information see:
Limitations
- Do not cut, copy and paste TechDraw objects in the Tree view as this generally does not work out well.
- Do not drag TechDraw objects in the Tree view with the mouse.
Tutorials
- Basic TechDraw Tutorial: introduction to creating drawings with the TechDraw Workbench.
- Creating a new template: instructions to create a new page template in Inkscape for using with the TechDraw Workbench.
- TechDraw TemplateGenerator: instructions to create a macro for generating a basic template.
- A "few" added lines of code result in a tool like the Macro TemplateHelper.
- Measurement Of Angles On Holes: instructions for adding centerlines and subsequent angle representations on holes.
- Miscellaneous: instructions for different settings like center marks, etc.
- TechDraw Pitch Circle Tutorial: instructions for adding a pitch circle.
Video tutorials by sliptonic
- TechDraw Workbench Part 1 (Basics), Part 2 (Dimensions), Part 3 (Multiview)
- TechDraw Workbench Part 4 (Section and Detail), Part 5 (Customizing Templates)
Development
Do you want to know about the future of the TechDraw Workbench? Visit the TechDraw Roadmap Page to learn more.
- Pages: Insert Default Page, Insert Page using Template, Update template fields, Redraw Page, Print All Pages, Export Page as SVG, Export Page as DXF
- Views:
- TechDraw views: Insert View, Insert Broken View, Insert Section View, Insert Complex Section View, Insert Detail View, Insert Projection Group, Insert Clip Group, Insert SVG Symbol, Insert Bitmap Image, Share View, Turn View Frames On/Off, Project Shape
- Views from other workbenches: Insert Active View, Insert Draft Workbench Object, Insert BIM Workbench Object, Insert Spreadsheet View
- Stacking: Move view to top of stack, Move view to bottom of stack, Move view up one level, Move view down one level
- Dimensions: Insert Dimension, Insert Length Dimension, Insert Horizontal Dimension, Insert Vertical Dimension, Insert Radius Dimension, Insert Diameter Dimension, Insert Angle Dimension, Insert 3-Point Angle Dimension, Insert Area Annotation, Create Arc Length Dimension, Insert Horizontal Extent Dimension, Insert Vertical Extent Dimension, Create Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Create Vertical Chain Dimensions, Create Oblique Chain Dimensions, Create Horizontal Coordinate Dimensions, Create Vertical Coordinate Dimensions, Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions, Create Horizontal Chamfer Dimension, Create Vertical Chamfer Dimension, Insert Balloon Annotation, Insert Axonometric Length Dimension, Insert Landmark Dimension, Dimension Repair, Link Dimension to 3D Geometry
- Hatching: Hatch Face using Image File, Apply Geometric Hatch to Face,
- Annotations: Insert Annotation, Add Leaderline to View, Insert Rich Text Annotation, Add Cosmetic Vertex, Add Midpoint Vertices, Add Quadrant Vertices, Add Centerline to Faces, Add Centerline between 2 Lines, Add Centerline between 2 Points, Add Cosmetic Line Through 2 points, Add Cosmetic Circle, Change Appearance of Lines, Show/Hide Invisible Edges, Add Welding Information to Leader, Add Surface Finish Symbol, Add Hole or Shaft Tolerances
- Extensions:
- Attributes and modifications: Select Line Attributes, Cascade Spacing and Delta Distance, Change Line Attributes, Extend Line, Shorten Line, Lock/Unlock View, Position Section View, Position Horizontal Chain Dimensions, Position Vertical Chain Dimensions, Position Oblique Chain Dimensions, Cascade Horizontal Dimensions, Cascade Vertical Dimensions, Cascade Oblique Dimensions, Calculate the area of selected faces, Calculate the arc length of selected edges, Customize format label
- Centerlines and threading: Add Circle Centerlines, Add Bolt Circle Centerlines, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Hole Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Side View, Add Cosmetic Thread Bolt Bottom View, Add Cosmetic Intersection Vertex(es), Add an offset vertex, Add Cosmetic Circle, Add Cosmetic Arc, Add Cosmetic Circle 3 Points, Add Cosmetic Parallel Line, Add Cosmetic Perpendicular Line
- Dimensions: Insert '⌀' Prefix, Insert '□' Prefix, Insert 'n×' Prefix, Remove Prefix, Increase Decimal Places, Decrease Decimal Places
- Miscellaneous: Remove Cosmetic Object
- Additional: Line Groups, Templates, Hatching, Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, Preferences

- Getting started
- Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
- Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate
- Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
- Workbenches: Std Base, Assembly, BIM, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Material, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework
- Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub