What’s New in FreeCAD 1.0?

Posted By Nicolas Mathian on Feb 5, 2025 | 0 comments

If you are already familiar with FreeCAD and its powerful capabilities, we have exciting news – FreeCAD 1.0 has officially arrived! The latest release introduces a range of new features and improvements, making a significant step forward for the open-source 3D CAD software.

One of the most striking aspects of this update is the version number itself – 1.0. That’s right! Until now, every iteration of FreeCAD existed in a pre-1.0 state, making this a historic milestone in its development.

The release is more than just a number; it’s a testament to the continued growth of open-source software in the world of design and engineering. FreeCAD has long been a game-changer by offering a feature-rich, professional-grade CAD tool at no cost. Whether you’re a hobbyist, bringing creative projects to life, or a professional working on complete designs, FreeCAD makes advanced 3D modeling more accessible than ever.

Stay tuned as we explore the latest features in FreeCAD 1.0 and how they can enhance your design workflow!

What’s New in FreeCAD 1.0?

The logo!

The updated logo is one of the first things you’ll notice in FreeCAD 1.0. More than just a design change, this refresh represents an evolution in FreeCAD’s identity. While previous versions had a more technical and utilitarian aesthetic, the new logo introduces a modern, polished, and confident look. The refined balance of colors, shapes, and typography reflects FreeCAD’s growth and maturity – perfectly aligned with the significance of reaching the long-awaited 1.0 milestone. It’s a visual statement that FreeCAD is not just evolving but solidifying its place as a leading open-source 3D CAD solution.

A logo is more than just aesthetics – it’s a statement. With this redesign, FreeCAD is signaling a shift from its “work in progress” phase to a new era of confidence, stability, and wider adoption. It tells both new and experienced users that FreeCAD is a tool built for serious work while staying true to its open-source, community-driven DNA.

Of course, the updates go far beyond visuals. While we won’t cover every improvement, we’ve handpicked some of the most exciting new features that caught our attention. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new in FreeCAD 1.0!

Enhancement of the Measuring Tool

We can see a significant improvement in the measuring tool, which is now more intelligent and capable of handling features like diameters, making it even more versatile and precise.

Rotation Center Upgrade

Navigating and moving around the part is now much easier, thanks to a more visible center of rotation—clearly marked by a red sphere, as shown in the image.

Laying Down Faces Feature

Another great “nice-to-have” feature—common in other CAD software—is the ability to select a face and have the part automatically align with it. This can be incredibly useful in situations where you need to create a new sketch on a specific surface, streamlining the workflow and improving precision.

An Optimized User Interface for Seamless Navigation

FreeCAD’s user interface has received a major overhaul in version 1.0. Although the software has always been powerful, the complexity of navigating through its modules sometimes posed a challenge to beginners. The updated UI is more intuitive and accessible than ever, particularly for users without prior experience in 3D modeling.
Key Enhancements:

• Cleaner Workspace: Simplified toolbars and updated icons reduce visual clutter.
• Customizable Layouts: Arrange windows and tools based on your project needs.
• Improved Dark Mode: Experience refined aesthetics with a polished dark theme designed to reduce eye strain during long design sessions.
• These changes significantly improve functionality while maintaining FreeCAD’s distinct power for advanced users.

Multi-Body and Assembly Features Get an Upgrade

Working with assemblies is now smoother than before, thanks to notable updates in this release. FreeCAD’s assembly module, while robust, required a bit of manual intervention in past versions. This has been addressed with new automation features.
Updates Include:

• Improved Multi-Body Simulations: Simulate the interaction between multiple parts more efficiently.
• Improved BOM (Bill of Materials): Generate accurate BOM reports automatically with just a few clicks.
• Advanced Constraint Solver: Enhanced solvers allow users to define relationships between components more precisely.

These features make FreeCAD an even more appealing option for engineers working on intricate projects.

You can find all details about this release on Freecad official release note. We also wrote another article about the best free cad software out there, if you’re looking for alternatives to the paying version of CAD programs.

Open-source enthusiasts will also appreciate the fact that FreeCAD’s development continues to be driven by a passionate community. Every feature and bug fix reflects real-world challenges faced by users, making it software designed for the people, by the people.