Overview
What is FreeCAD MCP?
FreeCAD MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables you to control FreeCAD, the open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler, directly from Claude Desktop. It is designed for users who want to automate CAD design tasks, generate parts from descriptions or drawings, or integrate FreeCAD with AI-based workflows.
How to use FreeCAD MCP?
Install the FreeCAD MCP addon by copying the addon/FreeCADMCP directory to your FreeCAD Mod folder (paths differ by OS). Then restart FreeCAD, switch to the “MCP Addon” workbench, and click “Start RPC Server” in the toolbar. Configure Claude Desktop by editing claude_desktop_config.json to use uvx freecad-mcp as the MCP server command. Optionally enable auto-start of the RPC server via the FreeCAD MCP menu, or set up remote connections with --host and allowed IPs.
Key features of FreeCAD MCP
- Create, edit, and delete FreeCAD objects via natural language
- Execute arbitrary Python code in FreeCAD’s environment
- Insert parts from the FreeCAD parts library
- Capture screenshots of the active 3D view
- Run CalculiX FEM analysis and retrieve summary results
- Support for remote connections over a network
- Auto-start RPC server on FreeCAD launch
Use cases of FreeCAD MCP
- Design mechanical parts (e.g., a flange or toy car) from user descriptions
- Generate 3D models from 2D technical drawings
- Automate repetitive CAD operations with AI-driven prompts
- Perform finite element analysis (FEM) on models and inspect results
- Manage multiple documents and objects in FreeCAD remotely via Claude
FAQ from FreeCAD MCP
What tools are available in FreeCAD MCP?
The server provides 11 tools: create_document, create_object, edit_object, delete_object, execute_code, insert_part_from_library, get_view, get_objects, get_object, get_parts_list, and run_fem_analysis.
How do I enable remote connections to FreeCAD MCP?
In the FreeCAD MCP toolbar, check Remote Connections to bind to 0.0.0.0. Then use Configure Allowed IPs to specify comma-separated IP addresses or CIDR subnets. On the Claude Desktop side, pass the --host flag with the FreeCAD machine’s IP address or hostname.
How can I make the RPC server start automatically?
Switch to the MCP Addon workbench, open the FreeCAD MCP menu, and check Auto-Start Server. The setting is saved to freecad_mcp_settings.json and persists across sessions.
Is a Python environment required to run FreeCAD MCP?
Yes. Pre-installation of uvx (from the Astral uv tool) is required for the Claude Desktop configuration.
Can I receive only text feedback without image data?
Yes. Add the --only-text-feedback flag in the claude_desktop_config.json args to disable image-based feedback and use only textual responses.
