marco deo wrote:Lately, I have been 3d modeling using autocad 2012 and 2015. I model to dxf files for cnc milling.
However, I am still producing 2d architectural drawings for permits and contracts.
Can freeCAD do either or both of these functions efficiently ? Also, can I import .dwg files to freeCAD, and can I produce .dxf files ?
2D DWG and DXF can be imported/exported with various limitations including no solids. It will often work for simple things, but will fail with DWG files that contain more than basic dxf type content files. This is done via a plug-in which works by first converting dwg to dxf and then importing the dxf file into FreeCAD. Most of the examples of DWG files that I have personally tried to import have failed. AutoCAD have deliberately made life as difficult as possible in the past with DXF and their DWG is a propitiatory format. DXF is suposedly an interchange format but AutoCAD keeps the solids embedded in dxf as propitiatory.
So if at all possible avoid these formats. STEP and IGES should work better also with various limitations.
Regarding 2D CAD, you can do this in the Draft Workbench, but really the Draft objects are 3D. The most common work flow in FreeCAD is to create the "real" 3D solid and then go to the Drawing workbench (note "Drawing" not "Draft") and extract a 2d drawing from the 3D solid.
Also please always post your "Help menu ..... about FreeCAD" data so we know which FreeCAD o/s etc. we are talking about.
Jim