Creating Curved Surfaces in FreeCAD - Part 8

Watch a 51-minute video tutorial exploring advanced techniques for creating curved surfaces and organic shapes in FreeCAD. Master the Curves workbench to design complex geometries, starting with the installation of essential add-ons and progressing through practical applications using a computer mouse design project. Learn to import and scale reference images, sketch with B-Splines, generate 3D curves from 2D projections using the Mixed Curve Tool, and harness the power of the Gordon Surface Tool for creating intricate surfaces. Follow along with detailed demonstrations of creating rails and ribs, solidifying models, and preparing designs for 3D printing. Access accompanying resources including FreeCAD files and mouse images through the provided GitHub repository, and find a comprehensive written guide on the Digi-Key website. Perfect for both hobbyists and professionals looking to enhance their 3D modeling capabilities with open-source CAD software.

Syllabus

00:00 Intro
01:22 Overview of Gordon Surface
02:12 Mouse Reference Design
02:58 Install Curves Workbench
03:36 Import Reference Images
06:54 Overview of Freehand B-Spline Tool
08:59 Top-Down Outline Sketch
11:00 Side Profile Mid Sketch
15:08 Mixed Curve Tool
16:38 Side Profile Top Sketch
20:50 Top-Down Bottom Sketch
22:40 Thumb Groove Rib with Freehand B-Spline
25:41 Join Curves Tool
27:28 Gordon Surface for Mouse Side
28:49 Creating Temporary Sketches to Define Planes
34:31 Create Top Ribs with Sketches
39:14 Split Curve Tool
40:51 Join Curves to Create Rectangular Shape
41:52 Test Surface with Sweep 2 Rails Tool
43:40 Gordon Surface for Mouse Top
44:25 Join Objects to Close Gaps
45:34 Mirror Surfaces
45:47 Ruled Surface for Flat Bottom
46:15 Surfaces to Shell to Solid with Shape Builder
48:29 Copy Solid into Part Design Body as a Base Feature
49:52 Export for 3D Printing
50:32 Conclusion