Python bindings for Surface WB

[Chris_G]

Hi,
I would like to give a try at adding python bindings to Surface workbench.
Some people sometimes want to access the surface tools from python.
And it would add flexibility, making it a hybrid C++ / python workbench.

After a little web search, I saw that there are several solutions available.
The one that seems to be already used in FreeCAD are :
- pybind11
- boost.python
- PyCXX (not sure about this one, but I think I saw this name several times ???)
- custom FreeCAD bindings, like in the Part module, and looking much like this.

I am used to the Part module solution, but it is quite a lot of code writing.
So, I would like to have advise from skilled developers.

Thanks in advance.

[Gift]

Hello Chris,

it is possible the use pythonocc-core now with conda. [1]

[1] https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic. ... 62#p425495

kind regards

[openBrain]

Maybe this can be of help: https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=43316

[Chris_G]

it is possible the use pythonocc-core now with conda. [1]

Thanks,
This look like a good OCC testing / exploring solution, but not really suited for python bindings inside FreeCAD master.
And I have not been able to build it from AUR on Manjaro Linux

Maybe this can be of help: https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=43316

Thanks, maybe this will be of help, if the same python binding generator is chosen.

[vocx]

...
- custom FreeCAD bindings, like in the Part module, and looking much like this.
...

I found this historical thread, How these things work together.

Unfortunately, it's unclear if the situation has changed a lot in 10 years or not. It seems to me that manual wrapping is still the norm, and I don't quite see where PyCXX and pybind11 are used. I think pybind11 is used at least in the Mesh Workbench with a couple of commands, surface flattening, (boost-python deprecated?).

This is the most recent thread I can think about, [How to ?] Expose C++ functions to FreeCAD Python API.

[Chris_G]

I found this historical thread, How these things work together.

Interesting reading.

Unfortunately, it's unclear if the situation has changed a lot in 10 years or not.

That's why I wanted to dip a toe in the water, first

[Cyril]

pybind11 is relatively easy and apparently very good. python-occ-core and ifcopenshell use swig which looks awful. Also there is one like more like pybind made by Qt guys. See Cristián Maureira-Fredes - Unleash the power of C++ in Python and Talk: Dr. Cristián Maureira-Fredes - C++ ♥ Python: from modules to hybrid applications there also some talks specific about pybind.

[vanuan]

And I have not been able to build it from AUR on Manjaro Linux

The most reliable way to build it is to use Docker: https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Compile_on_Docker
It takes some time to get used to but after you learn it you would forget you ever had any issues with development dependencies.

[Chris_G]

pybind11 is relatively easy and apparently very good.

It seems to be a good candidate, along with FreeCAD custom one.

The most reliable way to build it is to use Docker: https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Compile_on_Docker

I was talking about pythonocc. FreeCAD builds flawlessly.

[Cyril]

I was talking about pythonocc. FreeCAD builds flawlessly.

See this issue : https://github.com/tpaviot/pythonocc-co ... -683884628 I personally just rolled back to OCC previous version.
Also, you don't need to build python-occ-core from AUR, it is in community packages : https://www.archlinux.org/packages/comm ... -occ-core/