CADBase Integration with FreeCAD

CADBase Library

CADBase Library is a bridge between FreeCAD and the CADBase platform, adding cloud design advantages to local design:

1. ✓ Accessibility — work with projects from any device.
2. ✓ Project Storage — synchronize FreeCAD with cloud storage.
3. ✓ Team Collaboration — parallel development of components and modifications.
4. ✓ Security — reliable storage and efficient version control.
5. ✓ Component Library — use ready-made parts with models for FreeCAD.

Save projects through CADBase Library for FreeCAD and access components from any computer.

File Sets on CADBase Platform

File Sets Concept

File sets organize data by applications within component modifications. For example, a designer works with the FreeCAD set, while documentation is attached directly to the modification.

There are no restrictions on data storage in sets — you can upload any files.

Set Specialization

• FreeCAD — drawings, models, and resources for FreeCAD design.
• Other sets — files from various CAD and software applications.

How the Addon Works

The addon creates a folder hierarchy for components and synchronizes only FreeCAD set files. This allows teams to work in parallel across different applications without version conflicts.

Installation and Setup

Installation via FreeCAD Addon Manager

This is the simplest way to install CADBase Library:

Configuration

First Launch and Setup

After restarting FreeCAD:

1. Select the CADBase Library workbench.
2. Specify the folder for local library.
   Your components from CADBase will be available in this folder.

Workbench Configuration

To open the CADBase Library Configuration window:

1. In the CADBase Library window, go to the Options tab.
2. Click the Settings button.

Library Path

Specify the folder on your computer where the local component library will be stored.

Important:

Changes will take effect after restarting FreeCAD. When changing the path, existing files are not automatically moved.

Server Address

Specify the URL or IP address of the CADBase server for connection.

To reset the setting to default, simply click Set official.

Upload Parameters

Configure cloud storage logic:

Skip calculate hash
Uploads only new files without checking changes in existing ones

Forcibly update files
Updates all files in the cloud, ignoring checks

Note:

These settings only affect data upload to the cloud. When downloading, files are never automatically overwritten.

Authorization on CADBase Platform

To work with cloud storage, you need to obtain an access token:

1. Click the Authorization button in the CADBase Library window.
2. In the opened window enter:
   • Username (your login)
   • Password
3. For new users: check Set to create a new user...
4. Click the OK button to get the token.
5. Wait for authorization to complete.

Authorization data will be saved — you won't need to enter the password on subsequent FreeCAD launches.

Token refresh: repeat steps 1 and 4.

Verification

Navigation and Controls

Local Storage Structure

1. Library (blue block) — root level, displays bookmarked and downloaded components.
2. Component (purple block) — this level displays component modifications.
3. Modification (orange block) — this level displays file sets in local storage.
4. File Set (green block) — files used through FreeCAD.

Library Tree Navigation

Main Control Buttons

Practical Applications

Creating New Component

Creating Component Structure

To start working with a component, create structure in local storage:

1. Find the created component in the library tree
2. Double-click on it
   System will create folders for modifications and file sets.

Saving Document to File Set

Link document with component for further synchronization:

1. Open or create a FreeCAD document.
2. Save it to the file set folder:
   CADBase Library→Component→N1→📁FreeCAD

Note:

Files from this folder will be uploaded to the cloud when sending changes.

FreeCAD folder location

Data Upload

To send changes to the cloud:

1. Select modification with changed files.
   You can select modification folder or specifically FreeCAD file set folder.
2. Click the Upload files button.
3. Review changes in the opened window:
   

   File upload window (example)

   • new — file will be added to cloud

   • modified — file will replace old version in cloud

   • deleted — file will be deleted from cloud
4. Add change comment (optional).
   Will help colleagues understand what was changed.
5. Click OK to start upload.
   Change upload will start after clicking the button.

Upload progress can be tracked in FreeCAD's Report View panel.

Local File Replacement

If you need to download fresh file version from cloud:

1. Find the file in library tree and click Open directory
2. Delete the file in the opened folder.
3. Return to FreeCAD and double-click on the file set folder.
   System will download current version from cloud.

When is this needed?

If file was modified in cloud by another user or you want to revert your changes.

File Import to Document

Add ready-made parts and assemblies to your project:

1. Find the file in component library.
2. Click Merge or double-click the file.
3. Model will appear in your document
   As separate object for editing.

Useful for: assemblies, using standard parts, working on complex projects in parts.

Bookmarks Management

Bookmarks help quickly find needed components. Manage them on CADBase platform:

1. Find the component via search on CADBase.
2. Open the component page.
3. Click the bookmark icon on the component page
   Adds or removes from bookmarks.

Note:

New bookmarks will appear after refreshing the list.
Already downloaded components will remain in library even if removed from bookmarks.

Component Access Configuration

New components are private by default. To open access:

1. Click Copy link on component.
2. Open the link in browser.
3. In component settings change access to "public".
4. Save the change.

Now the component is visible to other users.

Access type selection on CADBase platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Troubleshooting