Using Multiple Configurations in FreeCAD

This article explains how to setup and run #freeCAD with multiple configuration files.

In the past when teaching FreeCAD on my YouTube channel I often got asked where a toolbar is or why mine differ from the viewers. About 12 months ago I stop customising my toolbars and configuration as my channel supporters are my first priority when it comes to my FreeCAD work. I have now only just stumbled across the terminal commands to run FreeCAD with different options using the -u parameter. After a bit of reading I found I could run FreeCAD from different configurations. This allows me to set up a directory to hold the individual configs and then run different bash scripts to load FreeCAD and point it to the configuration of my liking. Below is an example of my Linux bash script I use to load my configuration 1.

All you need to do is supply the location of the configuration file with a specific switch, if one cannot be found then the default configuration is loaded. Once you have changed the config i.e. moved a toolbar then one will be created with the supplied name. This means I can experiment with configuration without worry about resetting each time. This also means that configurations can be made portable and backed up. 

Linux based OS:

I have two bash script each pointing to the same directory but to different configuration files.

Here is the contents of my bash file:

#!/bin/sh
~/Apps/FreeCAD_0.19.AppImage -u ~/Apps/freecadconfig/1.config

 This would need to be made executable to allow it to run.

Windows based OS:

For windows create a shortcut link and edit the target by right clicking on the shortcut and selecting properties.  Next enter the following into the target.  You will need to modify the path to the freeCAD executable and the config file:

"C:\Program Files\FreeCAD 0.20\bin\FreeCAD.exe" -u "C:\freecad\1.config"


Now when you startup freeCAD it will create a config file at this location if one doesn't exists.  Create multiple shortcuts for any number of config files.



Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2023 at 9:36 PM

    I am sure I will try

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2023 at 10:26 PM

    How do you find the FreeCAD directory in Ubuntu jammy?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reference Images For Beginners FreeCAD: Exercise 5.1 & 5.2

Image
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 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, it looks like something from some flat pack furniture (I believe it was left over from a kitchen fit that was done) and it ended up in my in-tray for...
Read more

FreeCAD For Beginners: CAD Thinking Part 1

Image
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. Part  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  have been released.  Part 5 will be coming soon. Part 1: Click here for video part 1 In this video we are dealing with the first part of our latch assembly. We start to break down the part into its primitives and understand how we can use two different profiles from two different planes together to build the part. We will then look at fillets and chamfers and the problems that may occur when filleting this model P...
Read more

Beginner FreeCAD Tutorial 14: Reference Document for Exercise 1

Image
This tutorial focuses on modelling a deck eye plate. These items are normally made of stainless steel with some kind of galvanised coating to stop corrosion. They are used in many industries but are most commonly found around boats, ships, sail lofts and docks where they play an important part in marine industry. Finding their use in many applications, they are often wall mounted acting as lashing points for mooring and for tying down sails or canopies. They can even be used for domestic use around the house and garden, for example to anchor ropes, cords and lines. So if your into 3D printing your finished creations, you can make use of the finished result.   Disclaimer : The strength of the part will depend on the internal structure, settings of the slicer and the material it has been printed on.  This will limit its application as failure of the part, damage to property and injury is a possibility.  These items are normally made of steel and are tested to take a...
Read more