- the Arch Module for working with architectural elements, but needed by Draft workbench for DXF import/export operations,1.15Workbench Approach
The concept of the user interface is based on splitting it into a set of workbenches (modules), which are collection of tools related to the specific task i.e. Part workbench for drawing 3D objects, Sketcher workbench for drawing 2D geometry etc. Each workbench has its own set of menus and toolbars, which change when the workbench changes, but the content of the 3D view remains unchanged.
QW-Modeller workbench contains a set of geometrical commands from other workbenches (mainly from Part, PartDesign and Sketcher workbenches) and other commands destined for creating complete project for FDTD electromagnetic simulation with QuickWave software.
QW-Modeller workbench has also its own set of menus and toolbars and additionally has QW-Modeller Ribbon with a set of all available commands, grouped into buttons, menu buttons or menu labels.
Note that sometimes a Workbench is referred to as a Module. However, Workbenches and Modules are different entities. A Module is any extension of FreeCAD, while a Workbench is a special GUI configuration that groups some toolbars and menus. Usually every Module contains its own Workbench, hence the cross-use of the name.
The following workbenches are available in QW-Modeller:
- the Arch Module for working with architectural elements, but needed by Draft workbench for DXF import/export operations,
- the Draft Workbench contains 2D tools and basic 2D and 3D CAD operations,
- the Drawing workbench for displaying your 3D work on a 2D sheet,
- the Image Module for working with bitmap images,
- the Mesh Module for working with triangulated meshes,
- the <none> empty workbench,
- the Part Design Workbench for building Part shapes from sketches,
- the Part Module for working with CAD parts,
- the QW-Modeller Workbench for creating complete project for QuickWave,
- the Sketcher Module for working with geometry-constrained sketches,
- the Start Center allows you to quickly jump to one of the most common workbenches,
- the Web Module provides you with a browser window instead of the 3D-View within FreeCAD.
See also Workbench Switching chapter for more information.