Create views someone else can read
See this course’s project requirements
A revised desk-token CAD model, a dimensioned drawing, checked exchange files and a short handoff note.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- A 60×30×6 mm version A and 70×30×6 mm version B with an 8 mm through-hole at x10, y15.
- Fully constrained base and hole sketches, with dimensions checked after revision.
- A digital drawing with units, version and width/depth/thickness/diameter labels.
- STEP and PDF exports reopened and inspected.
- Native source and a readme recording the change and limitations.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Geometry follows the stated dimensions and origin.
- The revision changes the intended parameter without hiding errors.
- Views and labels communicate size clearly.
- The source and exported files agree.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Open revision B: 70×30×6 mm. Use TechDraw to create a digital drawing; no printer is required.
An orthographic view shows geometry from a fixed direction without perspective distortion.
Create views someone else can read — guided practice
Produce a drawing page with useful model views.
Open revision B: 70×30×6 mm. Use TechDraw to create a digital drawing; no printer is required.
1. Insert a page
Switch to TechDraw. Choose Insert Default Page or Insert Page using Template and select an installed A4 landscape template. Select the final Body and insert a View.
You should see: A page contains a projected view of the token.
The page and model are separate objects.
2. Choose a useful orientation
Set the inserted View Direction to (0, 0, 1) for a top view. Use a second View with Direction (0, −1, 0) for a front view. Move the views apart on the page.
You should see: The top view shows the hole and the front view shows thickness.
Complementary views reveal information hidden in one projection.
3. Set scale and dimensions
Set both view scales to 1 if they fit. Click a horizontal outer edge in the top view, then choose TechDraw > Dimensions > Insert Horizontal Dimension; drag its label clear of the part. Click a vertical outer edge and choose Insert Vertical Dimension. In the front view select the short vertical thickness edge and again choose Insert Vertical Dimension. Finally select the top-view circular hole edge and choose Insert Diameter Dimension. These are built-in TechDraw commands; no Drawing Dimensioning add-on is needed.
You should see: Labels read 70, 30, 6 and diameter 8 mm.
Drawing dimensions report real model size, not the size on screen.
4. Identify the drawing
Edit the template title fields if offered, or add an annotation: Desk token B; units mm; geometry practice only. Save the file.
You should see: The drawing has an identifier, units and four checked dimensions.
A loose drawing must identify the intended version.
What to finish
A TechDraw page with top/front views and checked dimensions.
Watch for this
Mistaking display scale for the actual dimensions.
How can I tell I understand it?
Explain the result, reproduce the procedure, and complete the changed-input check.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.
Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
FreeCAD 1.0 Ultimate Beginners Crash Course in 1 hour for 3D printing CAD Lesson / Tutorial
From MangoJelly Solutions for FreeCAD. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Optional course overview. Follow the written steps below at your own pace.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
Tools and templates
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Sources and further reading
Explore the references behind this lesson.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read author-maintained drawing tutorial for page/views/export. Ignore its later legacy add-on section; built-in dimension commands are independently supported by the official documentation repository references.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read the command description and documented menu name. Pocket reference also specifies Through all, Reversed and sketch-normal direction.
Access: Public repository text inspected September 12, 2026. Repository was archived April 1, 2026; the built-in command descriptions are readable.
Reuse: Link only; course geometry and prose are original.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read the command description and documented menu name. Pocket reference also specifies Through all, Reversed and sketch-normal direction.
Access: Public repository text inspected September 12, 2026. Repository was archived April 1, 2026; the built-in command descriptions are readable.
Reuse: Link only; course geometry and prose are original.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read the command description and documented menu name. Pocket reference also specifies Through all, Reversed and sketch-normal direction.
Access: Public repository text inspected September 12, 2026. Repository was archived April 1, 2026; the built-in command descriptions are readable.
Reuse: Link only; course geometry and prose are original.
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