# FreeCAD

Application: FreeCAD

Also called free cad, freecad workbench

FreeCAD, Creative

Open-source parametric CAD. The process is FreeCAD.exe. It is not AutoCAD.

## What you need to know

FreeCAD is open-source parametric CAD. It is not AutoCAD.

FreeCAD.exe models parts in .FCStd files. AutoCAD is Autodesk. A slicer is a later step.

- **What is it?**: Parametric CAD

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If someone sent a DWG and I only have FreeCAD, I would say compatibility is limited. I do not call FreeCAD.exe AutoCAD.

## What is FreeCAD?

FreeCAD is parametric CAD with workbenches (Part Design, Sketcher, TechDraw). AutoCAD is Autodesk's product. A .FCStd file is not a .dwg.

## If you have never used it

If you want CAD without an AutoCAD subscription, FreeCAD is the common open-source parametric modeler. Download it from freecad.org. It will not open every DWG the way AutoCAD does, and it is not Fusion's cloud account.

## What is it used for?

**Parametric parts**

Sketches and features in Part Design. AutoCAD drawing commands are a different workflow.

**STEP and mesh export**

Common for 3D print or CAM handoff. PrusaSlicer then slices the mesh. FreeCAD is not the slicer.

**2D drawings from the model**

TechDraw workbench. Not AutoCAD paper space.

## Who is it for?

- Hobby machinists and print designers
- People who cannot pay for AutoCAD
- Anyone who received a .FCStd file

## Current status

FreeCAD (2002) is a current parametric cad from FreeCAD. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php.

## How old is it?

FreeCAD has been around since 2002. Current 1.x builds are a different UI generation than 0.19-era tutorials, but it is still not Autodesk AutoCAD.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

FreeCAD 1.x

0.21 (older tutorials)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.          |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| FreeCAD.exe | Main Windows executable |
| ----------- | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

FreeCAD does not need to start with Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\FreeCAD \<version>\\ |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------- |

## File formats

FCStd, STEP, STL, 3MF

## Common problems

### Expected full DWG fidelity

FreeCAD is not AutoCAD. STEP or the vendor's documented import path is safer than hoping a DWG opens clean.

### Confused the modeler with a slicer

Export STL or 3MF, then open Cura or PrusaSlicer. FreeCAD does not own printer profiles.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from freecad.org/downloads.php

Windows installer or conda/portable builds the project documents. Skip "AutoCAD FreeCAD crack" bundles.

### Pick a workbench before you call it broken

Part Design versus Draft are different tools. The wiki names them.

### Save .FCStd often. Export STEP for other CAD

That is the interchange path. A .dwg-only shop may still need AutoCAD.

## Alternatives

AutoCAD and Fusion are commercial CAD. OpenSCAD is code-CAD. None of those are this exe.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.freecad.org/downloads.php ](https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [wiki.freecad.org/ ](https://wiki.freecad.org/)Vendor support                                            |
| Official site | [www.freecad.org/downloads.php ](https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

Large assemblies want RAM. A discrete GPU helps the 3D view. FreeCAD still runs on modest Windows PCs for small parts.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[PrusaSlicer: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/prusaslicer)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [FreeCAD official site ](https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php)· Vendor product page
- [FreeCAD help ](https://wiki.freecad.org/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: FreeCAD

  **Category**: Parametric CAD

  **Process**: FreeCAD.exe

  **License**: LGPL

  **First released**: 2002

  **Official site**: [freecad.org/downloads](https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/freecad/)

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