FreeCAD
Also called free cad, freecad workbench
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
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?
Sketches and features in Part Design. AutoCAD drawing commands are a different workflow.
Common for 3D print or CAM handoff. PrusaSlicer then slices the mesh. FreeCAD is not the slicer.
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.
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
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 Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | wiki.freecad.org/ Vendor support |
| Official site | 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.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- FreeCAD official site · Vendor product page
- FreeCAD help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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