Exporting to FreeCAD

Looks like you need to install the requests library as described at: bikecad.ca/freecad_requests.

Don't bother reinstalling everything. I've seen that scenario before. Were you using a variable diameter head tube? In my experience, variable diameter head tubes sometimes don't interface well with the top tube and down tube, so all those tubes sometimes fail to appear. If you use a constant diameter head tube, you can expect more reliable results. I'm not sure if there's anything I can do at my end to produce a more robust model when using a variable diameter head tube, but that's something I'll try to work on in the future.

Does anyone come across this error message when running the script macro.py?

It comes up with this error message:

18:57:45 Something went wrong with the pip install/upgrade of requests, possibly does not exist.

One user got this message when running an older version of FreeCAD. Have you tried this on the current version which is 0.19.2?

Hi Brent,

I tried this on 0.19.2 and am getting the same "Something went wrong with the pip install/upgrade of requests, possibly does not exist" message

It should only be necessary to install the Requests library on the PC version of FreeCAD. Aren't you on a Mac?

It looks like you've downloaded BikeCAD for older Macs. Be aware that any MacOS from 10.7.5 onward should run the code signed version of BikeCAD.

I downloaded BikeCADPro_17.1_PC.zip and installed it on my work Dell Latitude 5401, which I'm working on and messaging you from. No Macs in my workflow! I'm not sure why/how I downloaded any other version. clumsy fingers clearly!

I can't even unistall and reinstall freecad due to work IT admin rights. Nightmare!

I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing troubles. I'm guessing that the same permission levels that are preventing you from uninstalling FreeCAD are also preventing you from installing this library. Perhaps you can speak to the IT department about this?

Apart from BikeCAD I am a newbie in CADdesign.

Because of the export facility to FreeCAD in BikeCAD I try to make myself familiair with FreeCAD.

At this moment I can rotate my bikedesign in 3Dspace. Which is fun. But does not have any practical use.

My question. What can I do in FreeCAD which I cannot do in BikeCAD?

It has always been my goal to make BikeCAD so comprehensive that you can use it alone to obtain all the information you need to build a frame. So it is somewhat reassuring to see you questioning the need for this export feature. Many will not really need this option. However, if you wanted to design your own custom dropouts, a really unique seatstay bridge, a fancy gusset, or an integrated rack, these are all cases where you may benefit from the modeling tools available within FreeCAD. Because FreeCAD can export models in many different formats such as STEP, IGES and STL, you can also use FreeCAD as means of exporting BikeCAD designs to other programs for further CAD/CAM work, 3D printing or Raytracing.

Nowadays customers have to wait a very long time before their dream bike will be finally finished.

I thought I might use FreeCAD to send my bikedesign to a 3Dprinter, and give them a small copy of the bike they have ordered.

So they do not forget.

I'd love to see that.

Hi sir

my self kiran from india if i buy BikeCAD Pro how it will be delivered to me

You can purchase BikeCAD Pro from here. As soon as you've paid with Visa, Mastercard or PayPal, you can immediately download the program from your account here on BikeCAD.ca. As new versions of the program are released, all owners of BikeCAD Pro receive the new version at no extra cost. You can also have the program installed on up to three of your own computers at any given time. Those computers can be any combination of Mac, PC or Linux. If one of those computers should need to be retired, simply login to your account and download the latest version onto the replacement computer.

Hi Brent,

I have the same issue here. I'm using the PC for my laptop and Macro seems to be with the same issue.

Is there any fix now?

I'm not sure what issue you are referring to. If you are running FreeCAD on a PC, you may need to install the requests library as described at: bikecad.ca/freecad_requests. This macro should work. If you are having issues with it, please send me some more info about any error messages you may be encountering.

Hi there,

I just purchased Pro to export a 3D model. The current version of FreeCAD is 1.0.0. When I import the BikeCAD python design there are all sorts off errors mostly with the dropouts and seat clamp (I used standard). Errors say "DropoutR: MultiFusion Failed" The model has the dropout geometry but it does not recognize it as a component. When I ran the macros.py file, I got the same PIP error mentioned above. Once imported, the nearly complete model seems to work just fine.

But most importantly for me is that I can not get the Steel Pinion bridge to export. The others (paragon, v3, alum) work fine but I have the steel bridge.

Thanks,

D'nardo

Although you've described some errors, it sounds as though you got those resolved after running the macro.py file. If there are any issues remaining, you could send me your BCAD file and I could investigate.

As for the steel Pinion bridge, I am limited to what some of these companies make available to me. Paragon Machine Works is very generous about sharing their CAD models and therefore you will find almost all Paragon dropouts available in the FreeCAD export. Some models are only available as 2D drawings and therefore, you will find them in the main BikeCAD interface but not in the model exported to FreeCAD.

It is never too late to make more 3D models available in the FreeCAD export, so if anyone has access to a 3D model of the steel Pinion bridge, I would be happy to add it to the collection.

Thanks for the reply and sorry for the delay. Something call my job got in the way.

I'd say exporting to freeCAD almost works. I definitely get errors. First when running the macro.py file I get the same "something went wrong" error others saw Then when I load the bicycle py file exported from BikeCAD, I get "multi-fusion" errors and missing bits. I've attached one of the multi-fusion errors I see (which shows the missing dropout). This happens at the seatpost clamp as well. The data is actually there but visbility is turned off. Lastly I don't know how to send you my *.bcad file. The forum appears to only allow images.

Lastly for sure, I have the Metal Guru dropout. I tried to use a phone based photogrammetry app to make a model and it was... interesting. If I have success another way I will definitely share.

Thanks,

D'nardo

Brent,

I talked to Metal Guru and they say their bridge should be part of BikeCAD since v20.6 I inspected the py files and traced down the *.step files for the Pinion bridges.

GBBridgeName='PINIONP118withSTEEL_BRIDGE' is missing

PINIONP118withSTEEL_BRIDGEV3 and PINIONP118withParagonPP0001 both exist

Thanks,
D'nardo

In my earlier response, I should have pointed out that there are two steel Pinion bridges available in BikeCAD. The V3 Steel Pinion bridge is available in the export to FreeCAD option. When Metal Guru were speaking of the steel bridge, I assume they were speaking of version 3.

If any of your models are not opening properly in FreeCAD, please send me the BCAD file by email.

Hi Brent, I installed the latest version of FreeCAD. When I try to open the file, i get this error " SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED] certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate (_ssl.c:1016)')))"

Also when i try to install the macro file, i get this error " 19:28:08 Something went wrong with the pip install/upgrade of requests, possibly does not exist."

Please help !

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I recently had to update the SSL certificate on BikeCAD.ca. Apparently, I neglected to install the intermediate certificate. I've taken care of that, and FreeCAD now works well for me. Let me know if you continue to have issues.

Meanwhile, I suspect your attempt to install the Requests library was probably successful and that this error might be shown because a second attempt was made to install the library that is already there. I'm optimistic that now that the SSL issue is taken care of you won't have any further issues here. However, things are not resolved, be aware that there are two ways to install the Requests library described here and here.

Thank you for the reply Brent. Do I have to reinstall BikeCAD for the SSL certificate to work?

No, there is no need to reinstall BikeCAD. Have the issues not cleared up for you?

It worked !!! Thank you, Brent ! Appreciate it