Description:

FreeCAD is a FOSS parametric 3D modeling software with a rich history. While the core of FC is written in C++, the user-sided scripting is done in Python.

In this session, I introduce how to contribute to FreeCAD. Pertaining to Python, this contribution can come in 3 ways, in increasing order of involvement with the code

1. Creating an addon.
2. Contributing to workbenches/addons written in Python.
3. Improving the "Pythonic-ness" of existing C++--Python bridge.

Prerequisites:

• Exposure to engineering design.
• A reasonably powerful computer. Does not have to be a gaming laptop with dedicated graphics, but compilation may take long.
• Ability to compile FreeCAD (if planning to contribute at deeper levels). Ideally having compiled beforehand (again, because of the long compile time).

Content URLs:

Source code walkthrough done for FOSS Hack 2024

Speaker Info:

I am a Mechanical Engineer by training. Python had been my preferred language for learning Project Euler problems, and my masters thesis mainly used Python for manipulating FEM meshes.

Of late, I am a contributor to FreeCAD, with focus mainly on the constrained 2D drawing capabilities (the Sketcher workbench).

Speaker Links:

Github

LinkedIn