Blog import march2026 to october2026

content/en/news/2026/03/wip-wednesday-25-march-2026/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+---
+title: WIP Wednesday, 25 March 2026
+date: 2026-03-25
+author: Aleksandr Prokudin
+draft: false
+category: update
+tags:
+  - WIP
+cover:
+  image:
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+FreeCAD 1.1 is now out, maintainers will keep backporting some changes from the main development branch to the 1.1 branch for future bugfix releases.
+
+This week in FreeCAD development:
+
+**Sketcher**:
+
+- wiljam144 changed the default value for "Scale upon first constraint" from "Always" to "When no scale feature is visible" ([PR#27955](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27955)).
+- Bojan9597 fixed an issue where toggling construction lines for geometries like B-spline would result in an error message ([PR#28081](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28081)).
+- PaddleStroke fixed several bugs:
+  - Text Tool saving absolute file paths to local fonts in the document ([PR#28418](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28418)).
+  - Not being able to double-click to edit constraint names ([PR#27678](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27678)) or selecting external geometry ([PR#28105](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28105)).
+  - Text parameters appearing only at the first creation ([PR#28311](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28311)).
+
+**Part and PartDesign**:
+
+- alfrix fixed a bug where cosmetic threads are invisible when not using a sketch for the holes ([PR#28461](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28461)).
+- paragforwork fixed a bug where copying an argument of transformShape would have no effect ([PR#28299](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28299)).
+
+**Assembly**: PaddleStroke fixed a bug where double-clicking would be broken when a linked assembly is in an external file ([PR#28235](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28235)).
+
+**FEM**:
+
+- marioalexis84 contributed numerous changes, including these:
+  - Added Netgen z-refinement for shells ([PR#28204](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28204))
+  - Improved general preferences and mesher/solver task panels ([PR#27942](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27942)).
+  - Added principal stress, principal stress directions, von Mises stress, Tresca stress, and max abs principal stress ([PR#28124](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28124)).
+- captain0xff fixed broken CCX Result display scale ([PR#28012](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28012)).
+
+**CAM**:
+
+- davidgilkaufman fixed unnecessary ToolController recomputes ([PR#28478](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28478)).
+- jffmichi fixed operations needing recompute after post-processing ([PR#27992](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27992)).
+- sliptonic pushed another patch towards using the machine addon in the machine editor ([PR#28405](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28405)).
+- lots of changes from tarman3, including these:
+  - Updated Helix: StartRadius is now called OffsetInnerRadius and can be positive or negative; OffsetExtra is now OffsetHole and can apply to the outer diameter of the hole only ([PR#21971](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/21971)).
+  - Patched Profile to process subshapes independently ([PR#27458](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27458)).
+  - Added RetractThreshold option to avoid unnecessary retractions in Pocket and Profile ([PR#21738](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/21738_)).
+  - Added new LineZFollow style for LeadInOut ([PR#27986](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27986)):
+
+![](image-2.webp)
+
+**TechDraw**:
+
+- captain 0xff fixed a regression where extending the circle centerline was changing its style ([PR#28585](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28585)).
+- paragforwork fixed a bug where undo would remove a TechDraw page, but the page tab would stay open ([PR#27994](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27994)).
+- rehan-ahmed-aix fixed inconsistent cosmetic thread diameters in the bottom view ([PR#27784](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27784)).
+- dkleszyk made section line font, font size, and arrow size configurable ([PR#27521](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27521)).
+
+**BIM/Arch**:
+
+- Roy-043 fixed a bug where creating window types produces errors ([PR#27420](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27420)). He also fixed a crash caused by grouped commands ([PR#28407](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28407)) and another bug where the cut stays active in the 3D view when an active action plane is deleted ([PR#28432](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28432)).
+- paragforwork fixed linked Arch axis losing bubbles and text in TechDraw DraftView ([PR#27985](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/27985)).
+- czarflix fixed the loading of IfcLogical material layers ([PR#28591](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28591)).
+- furgo16 fixed the sun path arc ([PR#28498](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/28498)).
+
+**Mass properties**: this is a brand new feature added by MortenVajhoj to measure volume, mass, total density, surface area, COV, COG, and inertia.
+
+![](image-3.webp)
+
+Bojan9597, PaddleStroke, davesrocketshop, timpieces, hyarion, ayushishuklaME, czarflix, sliptonic, theo-vt, paragforwork, Krrish777, rehan-ahmed-aix, timpieces, marcuspollio, theosib, wwmayer, 3x380V, marioalexis84, captain0xff, maxwxyz, ipatch, alfrix, Dinis-Esteves, filippor, jffmichi, PhoneDroid, chennes, leoheck, Lgt2x, ghatoleaakruti, andershol, MortenVajhoj contributed additional improvements and fixes.
+
+If you are interested in testing the latest weekly build, you can grab it [here](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/weekly-2026.03.25).
+
+**PR stats**: since the previous report, 100 pull requests have been merged (including backports to the v1.1 branch), and 59 new pull requests have been opened.
+
+**Issue stats**: overall, there are 3357 open issues in the tracker, up by 25 from last week.

content/en/news/2026/04/2025-annual-report-and-plans-for-2026/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+---
+title: 2025 annual report and plans for 2026
+date: 2026-04-24
+author: Aleksandr Prokudin
+draft: false
+category: announcement
+tags:
+  - FPA
+  - report
+cover:
+  image:
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+The FreeCAD Project Association (FPA) has just published the [2025 annual report and plans for 2026](https://fpa.freecad.org/annualreports/2026.html).
+
+Here are the report's highlights:
+
+- Started actively working with the OpenCascade team (paid position).
+- Started exploring collaboration with KiCad and other projects in the ecosystem.
+- Approved a grant proposal that aims to [improve the UX/UI systematically](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/58).
+- Awarded several documentation grants.
+- Started producing automatic minutes for all the Saturday/Sunday developer meetings and Wednesday FPA meetings for better transparency.
+- Launched an experimental bug bounty program and issued several rewards.
+- Launched a new program to pay active maintainers a monthly allowance.
+- New positions: Addon Ecosystem Coordinator, Addon Ecosystem Technical Lead, Infrastructure Manager, OCCT Liaison, Financial Officer.
+- Total donations in 2025: €129,981.32. Total expenditures: €127,093.95.
+
+![](image-2.webp)
+
+2026 plans:
+
+- Investing more in continuity and stability: better documentation, more testing, improved release cycles.
+- Amplifying transparency and accountability on the FPA's part.
+- General 2026 budget: €230,000. It's considerably above last year's budget. We will use funds from the deposit that we have had for a few years now.

content/en/news/2026/04/freecad-1-1-1-released/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+---
+title: FreeCAD 1.1.1 released
+date: 2026-04-15
+author: Jo Hinchliffe
+draft: false
+category: announcement
+tags:
+  - release
+  - "1.1"
+cover:
+  image: freecad111.webp
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+Hot on the heals of version 1.1.0 we are pleased to [announce the release of version 1.1.1.](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.1)
+
+You can check out the release notes and the full change log on the repository, it's fair to say that there are a LOT of small fixes to enhance your experiences with FreeCAD.
+
+As ever massive thanks to all contributors and developers for taking the time and effort to continue to improve FreeCAD. The website download section will update soon (Edit: the [website download section is now up to date](https://www.freecad.org/downloads.php?lang=en)) but for now you can download 1.1.1 packages from the ["Assets" section at the bottom of the release page.](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/releases/tag/1.1.1)

content/en/news/2026/04/freecad-it-is-rocket-science/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+---
+title: FreeCAD - It IS Rocket Science!
+date: 2026-04-03
+author: Jo Hinchliffe
+draft: false
+category: showcase
+tags:
+  - addon
+  - community
+  - user story
+cover:
+  image:
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+{{< youtube id=IgRgFM0k-M0 title="Assessing the Accuracy of Aerodynamics Simulation Through CFD and Flight Testing-Karbon" loading=lazy >}}
+
+In full disclosure the author of this post is involved in model, amateur and high power rocketry so forgive their over excitement!
+
+The [National Association of Rocketry](https://www.nar.org/) in the USA has run NARCON a rocketry themed convention for many years and recently has moved to vNARCON moving the majority of activity online. After the event the videos are put online and it's always chock full of useful information and developmental knowledge for the global rocketry community.
+
+In recent years FreeCAD has increased in visibility in rocketry communities, thanks mainly to the [amazing rocketry workbench](https://github.com/davesrocketshop/Rocket) built by fabulous FreeCAD Contributor Davesrocketshop. The Rocket workbench makes it really simple to create complete rocket designs or rocket components from either open databases of known rocketry components or using your own parameters. It's an amazing tool for creating CAD components for 3D printing, laser cutting and more. As part of designing rockets the designer is concerned about stability as well as general flight dynamics, how high can it fly is not only of interest in terms of the information needed for a safe and successful flight.
+
+There are numerous tools that help people somewhat analyse and simulate their rocket designs, [Openrocket](https://openrocket.info/) is an excellent and popular open source tool which has some crossover features and approaches with the FreeCAD Rocketry Workbench. There are also proprietary rocket design tools, primarily RockSim and then there is a free to use closed source windows package called RASAero II. It's been noted that all of these tend to differ slightly in their stability analysis in part due to them using slightly different analytical techniques (Openrocket uses Barrowman methods, Rocksim uses a proprietary extended Barrowman system and RASAero uses a Rogers Modified Barrowman system).
+
+In the above video Ken steps through elegantly how he has used FreeCAD and the [CfdOF Workbench](https://wiki.freecad.org/CfdOF_Workbench) to analyse rocket designs using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This is incredibly interesting for rocketry people as it offers a completely different approach to stability and drag analysis and has shown some interesting results compared to other methods. Notably there has been a long standing set of community held beliefs around how much drag is created by the addition of different types of launch rail attachments (small lugs or tubes or conformal parts added to the outside of rockets to attach them to the launch rail). Some of these beliefs are based on tiny amounts of wind tunnel data from the 1960's and this data is still being used by some of the rocket analysis tools mentioned above. It's fabulous to see FreeCAD being used to develop deeper understanding and practice in the rocketry community. We wish everyone there blue skies and low winds for happy launching!

content/en/news/2026/04/new-wip-design-for-manufacture-workbench/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+title: New WIP Design for Manufacture Workbench
+date: 2026-04-21
+author: Jo Hinchliffe
+draft: false
+category: showcase
+tags:
+  - addon
+  - community
+cover:
+  image: dfm_sharp_internal.webp
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+One of the most fantastic things about FreeCAD is the constant flow of people making brilliant add on collections of tools. One work in progress that has caught our eye is the [FreeCAD DFM Workbench.](https://github.com/ryankembrey/FreeCAD-DFM-Workbench)
+
+The Design For Manufacture (DFM) workbench aims to perform analysis of your FreeCAD models against user configurable sets of rules to identify potential problems in manufacturing. It currently contains analysis for injection moulding where draft angles and overhangs and sharp internal geometries may cost a project dearly if these issues get through to the factory and production.
+
+It's really intuitive to use select a model and click the DFM analysis tool icon. You can then select the manufacturing process and the material and then set the "pull direction" (the direction in which mold sections would separate) and click "run analysis".
+
+![](rudimentary_analysis.webp)
+
+After the analysis is quickly performed you get a details list of potential errors and issues which you can expand and view in a file tree view. Aside from the DFM analysis tool the only other tool icon is the Process Library icon. This tool when launched is a library management tool allowing you to create and customise your own DFM processes for analysis. Again it all feels reasonably intuitive and we look forward to this valuable workbench being developed further.
+
+![](dfm_process_library.webp)
+
+One way that the community can help is that the creator of this project Ryan is really keen for people to test the WB and report back on their experiences. One thing to note is that this workbench is not currently included in the addon manager.
+
+To install this you ~~need to use the " Edit -Preferences " drop down option and then select the "Addon Manager" tab. Click the green "+" symbol to add a custom url and add the workbench repository url in full [https://github.com/ryankembrey/FreeCAD-DFM-Workbench](https://github.com/ryankembrey/FreeCAD-DFM-Workbench) then type "main" into the branch. Click "OK" and then "apply". Then you can re-run the addon manager and you'll find the workbench listed for install.~~ can now find it in the Addon Manager. Click "Tools - Addon Manager" and search for "DFM" and you will find it listed. Click "install" to begin to explore this great workbench.
+
+![](addon_wb.webp)
+
+Massive thanks to Ryan for choosing this project as their university capstone project. It's going to be an incredibly useful FreeCAD tool.

content/en/news/2026/04/q1-2026-grants-announced/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+title: Q1 2026 grants announced
+date: 2026-04-06
+author: Aleksandr Prokudin
+draft: false
+category: announcement
+tags:
+  - FPA
+  - grant
+cover:
+  image:
+  caption:
+---
+
+
+The FPA members have voted for Q1 2026 grants.
+
+The following work will be paid for once completed:
+
+1. [Websites improvements - Step 2.1: Modernize Doxygen setup and output](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/78) by marcuspollio. The existing source code documentation is severely out of date. Marcus will update and refactor the current Doxygen setup and config, create a new repository for the generated output, set up CI and CD from FreeCAD/FreeCAD source to this new repo, and deploy to live site, then update website and wiki links and other places to this new live site. He will be awarded a grant of EUR 500 for the project.
+2. [Maintenance, improvement and development Assembly & Sketcher](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/79) by PaddleStroke. Pierre-Louis will continue his work on bug fixing, maintenance, reorganization, standardization of the two workbenches, and the addition of new features. Pierre-Louis will be awarded a grant of EUR 6,000 for working on this project for the next 3 months.
+3. [Upgrade the CAM geometry kernel from Clipper 1 to Clipper 2](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/80) by davidgilkaufman. Polygon boolean and offset operations form the backbone of nearly all CAM operations. We currently perform these functions using Clipper 1, but it has been superseded by Clipper 2, and Clipper 1 is now obsolete. So David will rewrite the affected functions with Clipper 2. David will be awarded a grant of USD 3,750 for the project.
+4. [Implement ISO 13715 (Edge Symbols) and ISO 15785 (Joint Symbols) in TechDraw Workbench](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/81) by rehan-ahmed-aix. FreeCAD already supports edge and face selection, so the implementation by Ahmed will leverage that existing capability, and users will be able to attach symbols directly to selected edges, vertices, or faces on drawing views, or attach symbols to leader lines (traditional approach). Ahmed will be awarded a grant of EUR 751 for the project.
+5. [OpenID Connect Authentication, FreeCAD Scripting in Viewer, and Matomo Docker Image Replacement for Lens Platform](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FPA-grant-proposals/issues/82) by amrit3701. Ondsel Lens will gain OpenID-based authentication, and users will be able to run custom FreeCAD Python scripts on the loaded model from the web interface. Additionally, the currently defunct Matomo docker image will be replaced so you can run web analytics on your own instance of Lens. Amritpal will be awarded a grant of EUR 8,000 from the [separate Ondsel Onwards fund](/news/the-ondsel-onwards-fund/) submitted by a private sponsor.
+
+The total non-Ondsel allocated funding is EUR 10,721 against a budget of EUR 10,000. However, the "CAM/BIM: 2D Nesting Tool for FreeCAD" grant has been recently cancelled due to the developer's inactivity, which freed up EUR 1,650, so we are not over the budget after all.