Trouble with tutorials

[jsabatke]

I'm new to FreeCAD and CADs in general. I'm running into possibly incomplete or outdated tutorials. Most of the menu references don't exist, or I can't find them.

Example: at http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Basic_mo ... _a_profile

The instructions say: "This method requires that you start by drawing a 2D profile. You need to activate the 2d Drafting workbench (View > Workbench > 2d Draft menu)." That menu sequence doesn't exist, unless the "2d Draft menu" refers to something other than a menu selection.

I'm running SuSE Linux Leap 42.1 and FreeCAD 0.16

I ran into similar problems trying to follow the preceding "First Method - By Constructive Solid Geometry" tutorial, where menu items were completely different, and there were missing steps.

I am the first to admit that I'm new to CAD software, but I have been able to use other high learning curve software extensively, for example Gimp. I realize that it's difficult, and often overwhelming to document each step and every possible mistake, but I'm really lost and need to find my bearings. Is there a more basic tutorial out there?

Thanks,

Jim

[kkremitzki]

The manual is more up-to-date: https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Manual:Introduction

[r-frank]

Hi Jim.

Welcome to FreeCAD and the forum.

Thanks for mentioning these points, i updated the tutorial a little bit ...

Otherwise, my tutorial series on youtube in english is aimed at beginners (link see my signature ...).
I would advise to watch them and maybe try to do the models.

CAD is like learning to drive a bike or a car.
You learn most while trying to drive it ...

Roland

[cnirbhay]

I'm new to FreeCAD and CADs in general. I'm running into possibly incomplete or outdated tutorials. Most of the menu references don't exist, or I can't find them.

Hi Jim,

Welcome and Greetings from India.

Have a look at my youtube channel named Eklavya Self Learning Tutorials. I've made and making several tutorials on FreeCAD. Hope they'll fulfill your requirements.
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkonW ... IvDtnz2BiQ)

Regards

[Cyber3DK]

The section head "External Geometry" cites "...the edge of a Pad for example." but has never before discussed a Pad.

Recommendation: do one of these things (or something better). (1) Alter the tutorial to remove the reference to a Pad and, perhaps the External Geometry. Or (2) explain how to put a Pad into my drawing.

Amplifying information:
a) The tutorial I'm using is at http://freecadweb.org/wiki/Sketcher_tutorial
b) My FreeCAD is:
===
OS: Windows 7
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.16.6706 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-16
Hash: f86a4e411ff7848dea98d7242f43b7774bee8fa0
Python version: 2.7.8
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17
===
c) I am brand new to FreeCAD, and a rank novice using CAD tools of any kind.

Thanks,
Regards

[Cyber3DK]

Recommendation: extend line "2. Switch to the Sketcher Workbench" by adding the clause "“by using the drop_down on the toolbar in whose bubble_help is "Switch between Workbenches".

Amplifying information:
a) The tutorial under discussion is found at http://freecadweb.org/wiki/Sketcher_tutorial
b) My FreeCAD is
===
OS: Windows 7
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.16.6706 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-16
Hash: f86a4e411ff7848dea98d7242f43b7774bee8fa0
Python version: 2.7.8
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17
===

Thanks.
Regards.

[Cyber3DK]

Recommendation: add a new sentence in the "Introduction" after the sentence beginning "This tutorial is meant to...". The new sentence is: "The goal is to to make a sketch resembling the one above."

Amplifying information:
a) In absence of this information, I first made my 5 lines as contiguous segments. Later steps showed that was wrong.
b) In absence of this information, the angles between my lines were irregular: some very small angles, and others much larger. Later steps showed that was wrong.
c) The tutorial under discussion is found at http://freecadweb.org/wiki/Sketcher_tutorial
d) My version of FreeCAD is:
===
OS: Windows 7
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.16.6706 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-16
Hash: f86a4e411ff7848dea98d7242f43b7774bee8fa0
Python version: 2.7.8
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17
===

Thanks for your consideration.
Regards.

[GeneFC]

c) I am brand new to FreeCAD, and a rank novice using CAD tools of any kind.

There are many, many tutorials, all of them contributed by volunteers. It is not reasonable that every tutorial should start with the absolute basics of CAD and FreeCAD, such as the definition of a pad.

You might have a better experience starting with one of the tutorials labeled "basic".

Gene

[Cyber3DK]

FreeCAD froze when I was fumbling my way through a tutorial. In particular, I was trying to select an arc of a circle (as I recall).

Amplifying information:
a) FreeCAD volunteered to make a file when I used the "X" in the window's upper right corner. The file is attached as Halt_2017-0307-2020.FCStd.
b) My FreeCAD has the identity as follows.
===
OS: Windows 7
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.16.6706 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-16
Hash: f86a4e411ff7848dea98d7242f43b7774bee8fa0
Python version: 2.7.8
Qt version: 4.8.7
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17
===

Thanks for your consideration.
Regards.

[Cyber3DK]

There are many, many tutorials, all of them contributed by volunteers. It is not reasonable that every tutorial should start with the absolute basics of CAD and FreeCAD, such as the definition of a pad.

You might have a better experience starting with one of the tutorials labeled "basic".

Gene

I respectfully suggest that if the author cites something like a pad, then the pad should have been created before it was cited. Further, I see no pad in the sketch displayed at the top of the page.