FreeCAD is an OpenSource 3D modeling software. The software is built using the programming language “Python”. The basic GUI menu should be familiar to anyone who has already used softwares such as “SolidWorks” or “Autodesk Inventor”, or “Autodesk Fusion 360”. One of the major benefits of using FreeCAD is the relative ease of building scripts & macros using the integrated python console.
FreeCAD can be downloaded for free from the website: found here It is available for Ubuntu, Windows, and Mac
The following tutorials have been adapted and modified versions of the included FreeCAD tutorials found on their website here For more in depth understanding of the Software, I would advise that a user spend a few hours following some tutorials on this site.
A new user will require anywhere between 1H - 2H of use to make the most basic of objects. However to fully understand the software many many hours will be required. A potentional user should know that to have a basic level of competenace, 20H should be concecrated to following FreeCAD's tutorials. The following tutorials are concentrated tutorials to help a new memeber become familiar with the software to take advantage of some of the most “neccesary” skills within FreeCAD.