RobotCAD 3.0.0 - released (5 mins to sim workflow)

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RobotCAD 3.0.0 let you - “5 minutes to sim” workflow.

Yes, you can make robot model based on your parts or STEP file and generate ROS2 package with launchers of Gazebo and RViz in 5 minutes. How to do this, see the video example.

robotcad_3_0_0_demo_2
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8 new tools and improved some old let you lightning workflow.

In addition to ROS2 package generation by basic code generator was previously integrated external code generating service.

Extended code generator.
Integrated extended code generation service can generate docker code and startup script. This allows you to avoid installing ROS2 and Gazebo manually. You just need to run startup script that will install it all autmatically in docker and let you terminal to it. Script also throw GUI of Gazebo and RViz to your HOST machine.

One more good thing about Extended code generator that it can generate multicopters in simulation based on PX4 + ROS2 + Gazebo.

Meet RobotCAD 3.0.0 - codename - “Magic”.

https://github.com/drfenixion/freecad.overcross

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ROS needs a project like this so much.

As you know there is a global monopoly of a CAD company, who buys other CAD companies and shuts them down. We need open source more than ever, now.

What can I do to help you?

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Hello, different options for help are possible:

  1. Contribution as a developer
  2. Donation or sponsoring
  3. Creating of tutorials (videos or screenshots with descriptions about creating some project)
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Is dockerless installation possible? I am a developer so, I should test it with my own urdf robot, and maybe provide you with some input.

For example, I design the robot with CAD, then export stl and calculate its inertial matrice using another software, then I put both the stl and calculated inertia data to the URDF.

What are the preferred project communications methods? I did not want to open an issue in github.

Best Regards,
C.

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We can discuss through project discussion (https://github.com/drfenixion/freecad.robotcad/discussions) or you can direct message to me here or just in this thread.

Yes, you can install it via FreeCAD addon manager previously added custom repository of RobotCAD. But you also should manually install (or use installed) ROS2 to be able to generate ROS2 package.
Here docker/ros2_ws/src/freecad_cross_rosdep you can find ROS2 meta package with depenencies of RobotCAD. You can install dependencies by using rosdep install. Move this package to ros workspace and install dependencies like this: sudo apt-get update && rosdep update && rosdep install -y -r -q --from-paths src --ignore-src --rosdistro ${ROS_DISTRO}.

In RobotCAD you dont need to do so many actions.
Just do:

  1. import STEP (other type imports also posible) file or make robot parts by FreeCAD,
  2. make robot structure using tools of creating: robot, links, joints. Attach parts to links and links to joints. It is posible manually or via automation robot or links creation (see tools).
  3. set placement of joints by “Set placement - fast” tool, “Rotate joint” and etc,
  4. press “Set material of whole robot or a link” tool (it will be used for inertia and mass calculation),
  5. press “Calculate: mass, inertia…” tool,
  6. press “Export to URDF” tool.

You will get ready to use ROS2 package with URDF and launchers to Gazebo and RViz.

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