Mastering FreeCAD's Trace Feature: Designing a 3D-Printed Electronic Component Container

Welcome to my latest FreeCAD tutorial! In this video I'll show you how to use FreeCAD's Trace feature to design a custom container for electronic components. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned CAD user, I've got you covered with easy-to-follow steps and expert tips.
Here's what you'll learn:
1. How to navigate FreeCAD's interface
2. Using images to trace precise 3D models
3. Designing a container that fits your electronic components perfectly
4. Preparing your model for 3D printing
5. I'll also show you how to obtain the perfect reference images for tracing in FreeCAD!
This tutorial will show you the full potential of FreeCAD and will enable you to make precise 3D models easily.
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - What you'll need
03:27 - Making the Container
05:56 - Calibrating the Breadboard
06:58 - Calibrating the Driver
07:27 - Calibrating the Stepper Motor
08:01 - Calibrating the Power Module
08:43 - Calibrating the USB opening.
09:12 - Organizing components in the container
13:18 - Tracing Stepper Motor
18:41 - Tracing Driver
20:32 - Tracing Power Module
22:25 - Tracing the USB opening
23:48 - Showing the top
24:54 - 3D printing completed container & final placement of components
25:51 - Outro
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/con...
License code: EPEA9O5OSUVLB5K9

[@mywschool8910]

Wow, this is helpful. Thanks, Sir.

[@benjaminhansen133]

Thank you!
I've been struggling with making curves for certain components on FreeCAD, but this image tracing technique that you used with the stepper motor is just what I was looking for.

[@pfleischman2471]

This was very well done and instructive.

[@CreatewithTech]

I'm glad this was helpful. Thanks! RG

[@micheldaoust7345]

Good video with a realistic example. I am using Freecad for 2 years and didn't know this technique.
Thanks a lot.

[@CreatewithTech]

I'm glad the video was helpful. It's a really useful feature in FreeCAD for creating parts. Thanks for the comment. RG

[@timfairfield407]

great video Im going to try this , great organized workflow from start to finish which will help.

[@CreatewithTech]

Hi...thanks for the positive comment. I'm glad this video was helpful. RG

[@Devils_Claw]

I guess this is a long route. Just a question is it easier to measure the components in real world and allocate the screw holes and usb port entries . For tutorial purpose this was great though i doubt image tracing is entierly different thing.

[@CreatewithTech]

I'm using a very simple example in this video, but clearly it's possible to use image tracing to do much more complex things. There are videos on TH-cam that will show you much more complex applications. My purpose here is to illustrate what this technique can do and not get lost in the intricacies of complex model building. This is a simple example to get people started using the technique. For me even doing simple things like this is easier than using photos than getting all the measurements and modelling without a visual reference. I'm not sure what you mean by "i doubt image tracing is entirely different thing." Please explain. Thanks for commenting. RG

[@karlosss1868]

Not sure this is a trace feature. You've manually traced your features using the standard tools. Nice to see how FreeCad is improving over the years though. Thx

[@CreatewithTech]

Hi There karlosss1868....it's colloquially called the tracing feature. Basically the idea is to use an image as a template for creating a part. Typically you'd use the Sketcher or Draft workbench to do this...so yes, you're right...you use the standard tools in sketch mode to "trace" the image and then extrude it as a part. Here's a link from the official FreeCAD documentation. Just be aware that this is old documentation. In the latest version they removed the Image Workbench and it's possible to just import and calibrate an image without needing to go to the Image Workbench.
wiki.freecad.org/Image_Workbench
Thanks for the comment. RG