Sean P. KaneandGitHub
6a6cad9e65
* FreeCAD addon support for Workbench and Plugins * docs: refactor docs and clean up linters, etc. * Remove mdformat * test: improve test coverage * test:Lots of general fixes * chore: more general fixes
138 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
138 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# Quick Start
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Get up and running with AI-assisted FreeCAD modeling in minutes.
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---
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## Prerequisites
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Before starting, ensure you have:
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1. FreeCAD installed with the MCP Bridge workbench
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1. The MCP server installed (`pip install freecad-robust-mcp`)
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1. Your MCP client configured (see [Configuration](configuration.md))
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---
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## Step 1: Start FreeCAD with the MCP Bridge
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### Option A: GUI Mode (Recommended for getting started)
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1. Open FreeCAD
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1. Switch to the **MCP Bridge** workbench
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1. Click **Start Bridge** in the toolbar
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1. You should see: "MCP Bridge started! XML-RPC: localhost:9875, Socket: localhost:9876"
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### Option B: Headless Mode (For automation)
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```bash
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# If installed via Addon Manager (Linux)
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FreeCADCmd ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/FreecadRobustMCP/freecad_mcp_bridge/headless_server.py
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# If working from source
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just freecad::run-headless
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```
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---
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## Step 2: Connect Your AI Assistant
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With FreeCAD and the MCP server configured, open your AI assistant (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) and verify the connection:
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```text
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"Check the FreeCAD connection status"
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```
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The AI should respond with information about the connection mode, FreeCAD version, and whether GUI is available.
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---
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## Step 3: Create Your First Model
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Try these example prompts with your AI assistant:
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### Simple Box
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```text
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"Create a new FreeCAD document and add a box that is 20mm x 10mm x 5mm"
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```
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### Parametric Part with Fillet
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```text
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"Create a parametric bracket:
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1. Start with a 50x30mm rectangular sketch
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2. Extrude it 10mm
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3. Add a 3mm fillet to all edges"
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```
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### Export for 3D Printing
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```text
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"Export the current model to STL format for 3D printing"
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```
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---
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## Step 4: Explore Available Tools
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The MCP server provides 82+ tools organized into categories:
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| Category | Examples |
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| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
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| Primitives | `create_box`, `create_cylinder`, `create_sphere` |
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| PartDesign | `create_sketch`, `pad_sketch`, `pocket_sketch` |
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| Operations | `boolean_operation`, `fillet_edges`, `chamfer_edges` |
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| Export | `export_stl`, `export_step`, `export_3mf` |
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| View (GUI) | `get_screenshot`, `set_object_color` |
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See the [Tools Reference](../guide/tools.md) for the complete list.
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---
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## Example Workflows
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### Create a Mounting Bracket
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```text
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"Help me create a mounting bracket with:
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- 60x40mm base plate, 5mm thick
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- Two mounting holes (5mm diameter) at the corners
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- A vertical wall 30mm tall on one edge
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- 2mm fillets on all external edges"
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```
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### Modify an Existing Model
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```text
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"Open my_part.FCStd and:
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1. List all the objects in the document
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2. Change the height of the Pad feature from 10mm to 15mm
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3. Save the document"
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```
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### Debug a Macro
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```text
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"Read the macro 'MyMacro' and explain what it does.
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Then run it and show me any errors."
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```
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---
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## Tips for Effective AI-Assisted Modeling
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1. **Be specific about dimensions** - Include units (mm, cm, inches) in your requests
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1. **Use parametric approaches** - Ask for PartDesign workflows instead of direct Part operations for parts you'll modify
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1. **Check console output** - If something goes wrong, ask the AI to check the FreeCAD console for errors
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1. **Take screenshots** - In GUI mode, ask for screenshots to verify the model looks correct
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1. **Save frequently** - Ask the AI to save your document after significant changes
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---
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## Next Steps
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- [Tools Reference](../guide/tools.md) - Complete API reference for all tools
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- [User Guide](../USER_GUIDE.md) - Detailed workflows and best practices
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- [Connection Modes](../guide/connection-modes.md) - Understanding connection modes
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