Free-Cad Experience (2nd Software in the 3D Modeling unit)

July 17th, 2025

This journal entry im attempting to make more simultaneous with design process with FreeCad, so im writing this prior to completion of the latter objects. I've had a lot of trouble with this program and I'm hoping i can constructively complain enough to make up for my less than stellar models.

FreeCad jumpscared me after getting so used to autodesk-esque design UI/tools, it was a completely different challenging wheel house. I have had experience with AutoCad (for the stage) that will eventually help with fusion (tune back in next week) but this one, specifically the deal with constraints and dimensions being SEPERATE from the line in question they describe?? that just doesn't make sense?? ;and the visual disparity just the in VAST amount of workbenches available... in other words FreeCad has an awfully fragmented workflow compared to any 3D modeling software i had ever touched before,, with the singular exception of Blender (but thats BLENDER!)

This software put me in many of my classmates' clueless shoes. And i think our professor (fyi;i may refer to him as 'lucas' or 'von hollen' or 'our teacher from hell' later on) by attempting to cover every type of tutorial possible has made it even less user/student friendly. Its kind of a; throw every article and tutorial at the struggling student and see what sticks approach- and only worked with a unknowable proportion of people. By this point in the summer semester, these inclass experiences only solidified my regret at taking this course online instead of inperson because i know class must flow so MUCH easier and less anxiety about asking for help. A zoom class is only as fast as its weakest link... if you know what i mean. I fear the middle of the bell curve of struggle falls through the cracks when the ones at bottom who struggle the most don't mind taking up all of class time.

I also cannot ignore the difference between asking for help while inclass with a singular teacher over your shoulder and for zoom having to unmute your mic to ask what you fear could be the dumbest question ever and puts you in group of slowing everyone down.. NOT TO MENTION the only way to share your screen is to show it to ALL and make it the focus of class with 20 others

I found myself increasingly annoyed about wasted time and the change in tone of the class that came with this software.

It went from,

"if your struggling with tinkercad your dumber than a 7 year old what's wrong with you?"

"if your struggling with freecad you cant follow instructions whats wrong with you?"

Im not trying to say every college student needs constant reassurance and sugar coating; but i am saying that ive been periodically disappointed in the torturous atmosphere that emerges in class in when every new unit is framed as "this is the worst thing ever im so sorry" and every class feels as if it starts with "omg how did so many of you idiots not understand this simple thing"

Object #1 : tutorial shape

Where do i even begin with this rant. I hate this shape with a deep tedious passion. I've spent so long and so many different days trying to get this one tutorial shape (we spent time in class completing) I feel utterly humiliated by this program, with its separate constraints and dimensions and UGH I JUST CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE! It doesn't need to be this hard to cut a shape, and just because you hand someone a packet of instructions; it does not make it easier when it is in a completely foreign UI/design language.

We really went from the kiddie pool (tinkercad) to the open ocean waters with this one, and i think most of my classmates would agree. Many of them also found the tutorials segmented and hard to follow.

I got up to the first mirrored pocket before i tried the next step and couldn't find my bottom sketch.

I have so many more assignments to do. i have ideas i want to pursue in fusion for the next assignment that i actually want to be good...) but i know that i have hit so many walls in this process that my motivation to continuously struggle with this singular block has dwindled. i must start with the next shape if I'm ever gonna make it thru this entire assignment and the next ones on time!

UGHH WHY IS IT 2/3 of this whole assignment?? I have to finish it ... next day we are so back. this time when i hit a wall ima ask my friend what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it on my own

we did it gang

NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT???

NEVER GIVE UPPPP

DIFFICULTY: 8/10

APROX TIME: 120+ min
lots of giving up
and hitting walls in class (and after )

SATISFACTION: 0/10

>>next entry>>

<<last entry<<

Object 2 : Cord holder (AC holder)

So my approach for this one is a little different... when we were first assigned this a few weeks ago i remember being so glad we were finally doing something with an ounce of creativity, so to foster my motivation im going to follow that spark i had when t was first announced
But alas, 2 weeks later and scattered stuggling with the 'easy' shape for way to long, I'm going to put more effort into a the detailed visual plan for my adapter holder, with all the expected dimension measurements & side views & what it would look like irl
Then, i will spend 30 minuets trying to bring my idea to life in freecad. If i am unsatisfied, i will attempt the design in fusion as well

This is all an attempt at constructive criticism for the structure of this unit, and isnt motivated out of spite rather than frustration (von hollen specifically shares this frustration, asking the zoom class freq. 'what do i need to do to make this easy enough for you all?') I know its frustrating to not have everyone paying attention but consistently picking on the more lost, for lack of a better word, students (eg.who have missed class or don't know how to right-click) for questions they should know the answer to (and most the class is thinking it); and for extended periods of time where von Hollen tries to gaslight them around and then into the correct answer.

I think this software is incredibly user-cruel (as opposed to user-friendly) and that burning poor goldilocks with hottest porridge imaginable before you show her the perfect one will still leave her with a bad burned taste in mouth.

That is to say, I imagine it would be much more productive for a class to go from the beginner level (tinkercad) to the one that is most useful and user-friendly (fusion) so we could focus more on getting good at CREATING & designing various potential fabrications and not ENDURING frustration & struggling following complicated segmented instructions

Just ask yourself... is freecad worth all this heartache and emails and extenstions? is there any other option... MUST there be 3 bowls of 3Dmodeling-software-program porridge?

Me realizing this is the oppsite of a brief write up.(sry not sry)