FreeCAD Docker CLI mode
This page is for archival purposes only, see the relevant section of the Developers Handbook for up-to-date information.
Overview
Docker image of FreeCAD compiled without GUI. This Docker image is especially for developers who only want to use FreeCAD in the command-line interface (CLI).
Benefits
All of FreeCAD's dependencies are already installed, compatible with each other, and configured appropriately, allowing you to get started developing very quickly.
- Easy to use and lightweight.
- It gives better performance in terms of speed.
- No need to add FreeCAD paths to import it into Python.
Docker Repository
- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/amrit3701/freecad-cli
- Github repository: https://github.com/amrit3701/docker-freecad-cli
Prerequisites
- 3 GB of free storage
- Docker
Installation
- Pull the Docker image.
docker pull amrit3701/freecad-cli:latest
- When you successfully pulled Docker image, now you can run image.
docker run -it amrit3701/freecad-cli:lastest bash
Additional information
Extend Docker image
You can also extend this Docker images to add additional dependencies for your project. For eg
# Dockerfile
FROM amrit3701/freecad-cli:lastest
# Add additional dependencies
# pip3.8 install <some_package>
Import FreeCAD in Python
After running Docker image, just run Python.
$ docker run -it amrit3701/freecad-cli:lastest bash
root@f0ec904cf9b9:/# python3.8
Python 3.8.5 (default, Jul 20 2020, 19:48:14)
[GCC 7.5.0] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import FreeCAD
>>> import Part
>>> import Draft
>>> import Arch
Launch FreeCADCmd
To launch FreeCAD inside Docker image, just run FreeCADCmd command.
Discussion
FreeCAD forum thread: https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=45877