freecad-automation

# FreeCAD Automation

## When to Use

- CAD automation and scripting
- Batch processing of FreeCAD files
- Parametric design and design tables
- Assembly management and constraint solving
- FEM preprocessing and mesh generation (CalculiX / gmsh)
- Drawing generation with automatic dimensioning
- Marine engineering hull design and hydrostatics
- NURBS hull generation from HullProfile stations
- CalculiX FEM structural analysis
- STEP import / volume mesh / INP export pipeline
- Design table batch parametric studies
- Natural language CAD commands
- Integration with OrcaFlex/AQWA workflows

## Prerequisites

- Python 3.8+
- FreeCAD 1.0+ (November 2024 release)
- `digitalmodel` package installed

## Python API

### Basic Operations

```python
from digitalmodel.agents.freecad import FreeCADAgent

agent = FreeCADAgent()
result = agent.execute_prompt("Create a box 100x50x25mm with chamfered edges")
print(f"Created: {result['object_name']}")
print(f"Volume: {result['properties']['volume']} mm3")
```

### Batch Processing

```python
results = agent.batch_process(
    pattern="*.FCStd",
    input_directory="./models",
    operation="export_step",
    parallel_workers=4
)
```

*See sub-skills for full details.*

### Parametric Design

```python
agent.parametric_study(
    base_model="hull_template.FCStd",
    parameters={
        "length": [150, 175, 200, 225],
        "beam": [25, 30, 35],
        "draft": [10, 12, 15]
    },
    output_directory="hull_variations/",
    export_formats=["STEP", "STL"]
)
```

### Hull Generation + Hydrostatics

```python
from digitalmodel.hydrodynamics.hull_library.profile_schema import (
    HullProfile, HullStation, HullType
)
from digitalmodel.visualization.design_tools.freecad_hull import FreeCADHullGenerator
from digitalmodel.visualization.design_tools.hull_hydrostatics import HullHydrostatics
```

*See sub-skills for full details.*

### FEM Analysis Chain (CalculiX)

```python
from digitalmodel.solvers.calculix import FEMChain, INPWriter

chain = FEMChain(work_dir=Path("/tmp/fem"))
result = chain.run_plate_validation(sigma_applied=100.0)
# result['kt'] ~ 3.0 within 5%
```

*See sub-skills for full details.*

### STEP Import / Mesh / INP Export

```python
from digitalmodel.solvers.gmsh_meshing import GMSHMeshGenerator

with GMSHMeshGenerator() as gen:
    mesh = gen.generate_mesh_from_step("hull.step", element_size=0.5)
    gen.export_mesh_inp("hull.inp", title="Hull FEM model")
```

## Related Skills

- [gmsh-meshing](../gmsh-meshing/SKILL.md) - Advanced mesh generation
- [cad-engineering](../cad-engineering/SKILL.md) - General CAD expertise
- [blender-interface](../blender/SKILL.md) - 3D visualization
- [orcaflex/modeling](../../marine-offshore/orcaflex/modeling/SKILL.md) - Hydrodynamic analysis

## References

- FreeCAD Documentation: https://wiki.freecad.org/
- FreeCAD Python API: https://wiki.freecad.org/Python_scripting_tutorial

## Version History

- **2.0.0** (2026-03-16): Hull NURBS generation, hydrostatics, CalculiX FEM, STEP/INP pipeline, design tables (WRK-1251)
- **1.1.0** (2026-02-24): Output parsing, failure diagnosis, validation (WRK-372)
- **1.0.0** (2025-01-02): Initial release

## Sub-Skills

- [Agent Settings (+1)](agent-settings/SKILL.md)
- [Version Metadata](version-metadata/SKILL.md)
- [[2.0.0] - 2026-03-16 (+1)](200-2026-03-16/SKILL.md)
- [Core Capabilities (+4)](core-capabilities/SKILL.md)
- [Command Line Interface](command-line-interface/SKILL.md)
- [Batch Processing Patterns](batch-processing-patterns/SKILL.md)
- [Output Formats](output-formats/SKILL.md)
- [Swarm Coordination (+1)](swarm-coordination/SKILL.md)
- [Performance Metrics](performance-metrics/SKILL.md)
- [FreeCAD Import Error (+1)](freecad-import-error/SKILL.md)
- [Extract Geometry Properties (+2)](extract-geometry-properties/SKILL.md)
- [Common Failures (+2)](common-failures/SKILL.md)
- [Geometry Validation Checks (+1)](geometry-validation-checks/SKILL.md)
- [Parametric Hull Workflow](parametric-hull-workflow/SKILL.md)
- [FEM Chain Workflow](fem-chain-workflow/SKILL.md)
- [Design Table Studies](design-table-studies/SKILL.md)