FreeCAD 1.1 Released — The Open-Source CAD Upgrade You've Been Waiting For

Open-Source CAD Gets a Major Upgrade

FreeCAD 1.1 has officially landed, and it's the most significant release in the open-source CAD software's history. Available now for Windows, macOS, and Linux, this version introduces a raft of quality-of-life improvements that have users excited across the 3D printing and maker community.

What's New in FreeCAD 1.1

The release focuses on three key areas:

• Transparent Part Design Previews — You can now see through your designs while working, making it easier to position features and understand complex geometry without toggling visibility modes.
• Interactive Draggers — More tools now support direct manipulation, so you can click and drag to adjust dimensions and positions rather than typing values.
• Assembly Improvements — Better constraint handling and performance for multi-part assemblies.
• FEM Workbench Upgrades — Enhanced finite element analysis capabilities for engineers.
• New CAM Tool Library — A complete library of tool definitions for computer-aided manufacturing workflows.

Why This Matters for 3D Printing

FreeCAD has become the go-to CAD software for makers and small workshops who can't justify the cost of commercial tools like SolidWorks or Fusion 360. The 1.1 release addresses many of the pain points that users have been requesting for years.

The improved Assembly workbench is particularly relevant for 3D printing enthusiasts who design multi-part models, while the FEM enhancements will appeal to those creating functional parts that need to withstand real-world forces.

Download FreeCAD 1.1 free at FreeCAD.org.