Skip to main content

Create a App Launcher and Desktop Shortcut for FreeCAD AppImage on Linux

An AppImage is a portable compressed linux application file which is mounted at the point of execution. It's main aims is to allow the application to be deployed in a simple self contained way. Allowing compatibility across the many linux distros, it requires no installation or root permission. The underlying operating system is left untouched though configuration settings and target folders can reside outside the distribution. Appimages allow for the FreeCAD ecosystem to be more flexibile. A designer can download the latest development version without worrying about installing and destroying an installed stable version. Different versions and development paths of FreeCAD can be trialed (i.e. Link stage 3) and FreeCAD can always be kept on a USB stick, ready at hand for use on any linux distro.

If you are using a Linux based system such as Ubuntu then you probably are using the AppImage for FreeCAD. For ages I was locating the downloaded AppImage in my downloads directory and double clicking it.  This takes time and I would rather launch this from the app launcher or from the desktop.

Steps to create the Application Launcher Entry

1. Download your Linux AppImage, we will assume this has been downloaded to the Downloads directory and rename to your desired name in this case FreeCAD.AppImage

2. Google a png or icon you want to use to execute the program and save it (we assume you have downloaded it to your Downloads directory).  This icon should be in icon or png format. If you cant find a png but other formats are available then use a paint package to convert to the correct format.  Rename the icon / image to the same name as the program.  In this case FreeCAD.png

3. Open up a terminal. 

4. Change directory to where you have downloaded your files and give the FreeCAD AppImage permissions to be executed:

    cd ~/Downloads

    sudo chmod u+x FreeCAD.AppImage


5. Move both files to a directory such as /opt.  We can keep the files in their current location but they may get lost.  It is far safer to place them somewhere safe.  In this case I have use the /opt directory:

    cd ~/Downloads/

    sudo mv FreeCAD.AppImage /opt/

    sudo mv FreeCAD.png /opt/


5. Create the Application Launcher and shortcut using nano or your favourite text editor:

    sudo nano /usr/share/applications/FreeCAD.desktop


6. Add the following lines to the text file:


    [Desktop Entry]

    Name=FreeCAD

    Exec=/opt/FreeCAD.AppImage

    Icon=/opt/FreeCAD.png

    comment=FreeCAD

    Type=Application

    Terminal=false

    Encoding=UTF-8

    Categories=Utility;


7. Save the file and exit.

You will now be able to start your AppImage directly from the Applications Launcher. 


Optional: Create a shortcut on your desktop

To launch the application from a desktop icon follow these steps:

1. Copy the .desktop script to your desktop

    sudo cp -r /usr/share/applications/FreeCAD.desktop ~/Desktop/


2. Change the owner of the desktop shortcut to your current user you have logged in as (the user in your terminal prompt on each line waiting for a input, i.e youruser@yourcomputername:)

    sudo chown youruser ~/Desktop/FreeCAD.desktop


3 Update the new desktop shortcut permission to "allow this file to run as a program". 

    sudo chmod u+x ~/Desktop/FreeCAD.desktop


 

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beginners FreeCAD: Exercise 5.1 & 5.2 (Reference Images)

Welcome to the total beginners course to FreeCAD 0.20. In this is a two part lesson we will practice our tracing skill in the form of a mini project. Using the below reference photos we will create a more complex part which will consist of repeating features. We will utilise the symmetry tools to ease construction in both FreeCAD sketcher and Part Design workbench. This project work will help teach the fundamentals of freeCAD allowing a understanding of the basics but delivering this information via teaching you different workflows. In this tutorial we will be tracing photos imported into FreeCAD via the image workbench https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Image_Workbench JUMP TO IMAGES Do you want to purchase the complete series along with others and keep forever?  Check out my shop https://ko-fi.com/mang0/shop The story of this tutorial The idea and first attempt at creating this tutorial was back in FreeCAD 0.18.  The physical part itself, well, I have no idea what really it is, i...
5 comments
Read more

FreeCAD For Beginners: CAD Thinking Part 1

Step-by-Step CAD Thinking FreeCAD Tutorial: Modeling a Latch Part (Part 1) Learning how to turn real life objects into CAD Models. Using FreeCAD we explain at a beginner level how to break down a physical object into its primitive shapes to digitise it into a 3D model, with this episode we are looking at a multi-part assembly, modelling each piece individually. The series aims to open your eyes and mind giving you the ground skills to pick the correct profiles, geometry and workflow when it comes to modelling your parts. This is not just for FreeCAD but for all CAD packages out there. Introduction This tutorial is the first in a series guiding you through modeling a latch assembly in FreeCAD (version 0.21) using the Part Design and A2Plus workbenches. It focuses on modeling the first part (a slotted component) by selecting the top profile to create a slot and adding side arcs, emphasizing CAD thinking to break down complex shapes into primitives. The tutorial highlights model stability...
2 comments
Read more

Modeling Flowcharts For Basic Beginners FreeCAD v1

 Th following flowcharts are used in the Basic Beginners FreeCAD v1 course.  They consist of two flows, one for simplifying the model and one for identifying the individual features and how to model them.   The flowcharts can downloaded by clicking on them, they will then open in a new page, from there right click on the image and save as. Flowcharts can be found below.  Current flowchart version is version 1.0.0 Own my courses forever, check out my shop https://ko-fi.com/mang0/shop Own my courses forever,  check out my shop   https://ko-fi.com/mang0/shop
Post a Comment
Read more