FreeCAD 1.1 Released — Brings Major Assembly Improvements and New CAM Tools

FreeCAD's Biggest Release in Years

FreeCAD 1.1 has arrived, and it's the most significant update the open-source CAD platform has seen in quite some time. Released on March 25th, 2026, this version represents roughly a year of work from nearly 300 developers, over 100 translators, and countless testers.

The update brings a range of quality-of-life improvements that long-time FreeCAD users have been requesting for years, along with some entirely new capabilities that position the software as an increasingly viable alternative to proprietary CAD solutions.

What's New in FreeCAD 1.1

Transparent Part Design Previews — Perhaps the most visually striking improvement, transparent previews now let users see through solid bodies while working on sketches and features. This makes it far easier to understand how new features relate to existing geometry without constantly toggling visibility.

Interactive Draggers — Tools like Fillet and Chamfer now feature interactive drag handles directly in the 3D view. Instead of entering precise数值 in property panels, users can drag to preview changes in real-time.

3-Point Lighting — A new lighting system with three-point lighting setup improves 3D viewport visibility, making it easier to perceive depth and surface details when modeling.

Clarify Selection Tool — When multiple objects overlap in the view, this new tool helps users precisely select the intended object without cycling through everything.

Assembly Improvements — The workbench has received significant attention, with better constraint handling and more predictable behavior when assembling complex multi-part projects.

FEM Enhancements — The Finite Element Analysis workbench now supports animations, making it easier to visualize stress distribution and deformation across time.

New CAM Tool Library — A completely redesigned tool library system brings modern organization to the CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) workflows, with better support for tool libraries and more intuitive management of cutting parameters.

A Milestone for Open-Source CAD

FreeCAD has long been the go-to solution for makers, hobbyists, and smaller shops that can't justify the cost of commercial CAD licenses. The 1.1 release narrows the gap significantly, particularly in the Assembly workflow which has historically been one of the weaker areas compared to tools like SolidWorks or Fusion 360.

The new CAM tools are particularly noteworthy given the growing interest in desktop CNC routing among 3D printing enthusiasts — many makers are expanding into subtractive manufacturing, and having a capable, free CAM solution opens doors that were previously only available through expensive software.

FreeCAD 1.1 is available now for Windows, macOS, and Linux from the official website.