How Do I Move a Shape in Freecad?

Moving a shape or part in FreeCAD is a fundamental operation you will frequently use during 3D modeling. As demonstrated in the provided reference video, it is possible to move parts within your FreeCAD project.

Understanding Object Placement

In FreeCAD, the position and orientation of any 3D object are managed by its Placement property. This property controls where the object is located in 3D space and how it is rotated.

You can move a shape in FreeCAD primarily through two methods:

Editing the Placement Property: Directly modifying the numerical values for position (X, Y, Z coordinates) and rotation in the object's data properties.
Using Transformation Tools: Employing interactive tools that allow you to visually translate (move) and rotate objects using graphical handles or input fields.

The reference video explicitly states it shows "how to move a part in Freecad," indicating that this action is a standard function within the software, applicable even when dealing with multiple separate parts in a project.

Methods for Moving Shapes

Here are common ways to adjust an object's position:

Via the Properties Panel:
- Select the shape in the Tree View.
- Go to the Data tab in the Properties panel.
- Expand the Placement property.
- Under Placement, modify the Base property's x, y, and z values to change the shape's location along the respective axes.
- You can also adjust the Rotation properties (Axis and Angle) here.
Using the Transform Tool:
- Select the shape.
- Go to the Draft workbench (often contains useful tools).
- Click on the Move tool (or similar tools in other workbenches like Part Design or Part).
- This tool typically allows you to select a base point on the object and a destination point in space to define the move.
- Many workbenches also offer a general Transform tool which provides interactive arrows and rings to move and rotate the object visually.

The ability to easily reposition parts, like the "two separate parts" mentioned in the reference video, is crucial for assembling complex designs or arranging components within an assembly.

Practical Considerations

Moving a shape changes its spatial coordinates relative to the global origin or its parent object if it's part of an assembly structure.
When working with sketches or features within a Part Design Body, moving the Body affects all its internal elements. Moving individual features within a Body is usually done by editing the sketch or feature parameters, not by using the global move tools.
For precise movements, using the Placement property with specific coordinate values is often preferred. For intuitive adjustments, the interactive transformation tools are more suitable.

In summary, moving shapes in FreeCAD involves manipulating their Placement data, either numerically through the properties panel or interactively using dedicated transformation tools found in various workbenches. This capability is fundamental to positioning parts within your 3D models, as demonstrated by the provided reference confirming the process.