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Creating Multiple Parts in a Document (FreeCAD)

This page explains how to manage multiple variations of a part inside a single FreeCAD document using: - clear naming - color-coding - duplication - safe export practices

This approach is ideal for iterative design (example: O-ring sizes, gasket thickness tests).

Core concepts (terminology refresher)

  • Document = the FreeCAD project file (.FCStd)
  • Body = one solid printable part
  • Part = a container that can hold multiple bodies

FreeCAD does not use literal “tabs.”
Instead, multiple Bodies inside one Document serve the same purpose.

One Document → Multiple Bodies

  • Keep all variants in a single document
  • Create one Body per variation
  • Hide/show bodies as needed

Example:

Document
└─ Part: O-Ring Variants
   ├─ Body: O-Ring_Round_2p5mm
   ├─ Body: O-Ring_Round_3p0mm
   └─ Body: O-Ring_Round_3p2mm

Naming convention (clear & sortable)

Rename the Body, not individual features.

Use a sortable format like:

  • O-Ring_Round_2p5mm
  • O-Ring_Round_3p0mm
  • O-Ring_Round_3p2mm

Square gasket examples: - Gasket_Square_2p3mmH - Gasket_Square_2p1mmH

Color makes variants instantly identifiable.

How to set color

  1. Select the Body in the Model tree
  2. Right-click → Appearance
  3. Set Shape Color (optional transparency)

Fastest way to duplicate a Body (safe method)

  1. Select the Body you want to copy
  2. Ctrl+C
  3. Ctrl+V
  4. Rename the new body immediately
  5. Change only the required parameter

Export only the correct Body (avoid mistakes)

  1. Hide all other bodies
  2. Ensure only one body is visible
  3. Select the visible body
  4. File → Export → STL / 3MF

Rules of thumb

  • One Document = one project
  • One Body = one printable part
  • Variations = multiple bodies
  • Always rename bodies
  • Always color-code variants
  • Export only what’s visible

Key takeaway

Multiple bodies in one document is the cleanest, safest way to manage design variations in FreeCAD.