Moving Parts (to different reference Systems)

Sometimes, you have to move part of the global coordinate system to have the correct export. This can be done simply by drag 'n' drop removing the part from the parent object (assembly). However, depending on the coordinate system of the parent object, the part might change its position. This means you should put the part into the correct global coordinate system.

FreeCAD’s Python console is very helpful for doing this fast.

Note

To show the Python console use View --> Panels --> Python Console

Moving the objects in FreeCAD from the local frame to the global frame

Select the object that you want to move.

Get the global placement of the object:

obj_placement = Gui.Selection.getSelection()[0].getGlobalPlacement()

Move the object the top level of the document (drag ‘n’ drop).

Set the placement of the object:

Gui.Selection.getSelection()[0].Placement = obj_placement

Moving the objects in FreeCAD from their frame to some reference frame

Warning

This is only to give you an idea of the concept - needs polishing to be copy-pastable

Note

Enable visualization of models’ origin in FreeCAD by default: Edit --> Preferences --> Display --> 3D View (tab) --> Show Axes Cross by default

Select an object/coordinate system that should be the source of the joint

Get the inverse of the object placement:

ref_object = Gui.Selection.getSelection()[0].Placement.inverse()

Move the object to the origin:

ref_object = ref_object.inverse() * ref_object

Move other objects to the coordinate system of the object:

first select the second object

object = ref_object.inverse() * object
Get the following joint by selecting the object/coordinate system and get its placement in the global coordinate system:

object.getGlobalPlacement()

Commands:

ref_obj_global = Gui.Selection.getSelection()[0].getGlobalPlacement()
obj = Gui.Selection.getSelection()[0]
obj.Label
obj.Placement = ref_obj_global.inverse() * obj.Placement