Detessellate is a collection of FreeCAD macros that introduce an algorithm-assisted workflow for reverse engineering imported geometry including mesh models (STL, OBJ, 3MF), point cloud data, and non-parametric STEP solids.
📺 Click the image below to watch the demo video on YouTube
FreeCAD Forum: https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?t=101467
- Mesh Reverse Engineering: Convert STL/OBJ/3MF meshes to parametric CAD models
- Point Cloud Processing: Generate sketches from scanned point cloud data
- STEP Reparametrization: Rebuild imported STEP files with sketch-based features
- Sketch Optimization: Clean up and constrain sketch geometry
See individual macro documentation for detailed workflows.
MeshPlacement – recenter and align meshes to origin
MeshToBody – convert meshes into solids and bodies
CoplanarSketch – Generate construction sketches from coplanar edges on tessellated solids
PointPlaneSketch - Generate sketches from selected points of a PointsObject.
EdgeLoopSelector – Select and process edge loops
EdgeLoopToSketch - Generate sketches from selected coplanar 3D edges, preserving edge type.
ReconstructSolid - Rebuild a non-parametric solid from the underlying faces of the selected solid.
VarSet-Update – Update variable sets properties
SketchReProfile – Rebuild normal geometry profiles from construction sketches
ConstrainAllPointOnPoint – Automatically adds coincident constraints to all overlapping vertices in a sketch
SketcherWireDoctor – Repair and clean sketch wires
TopoMatchSelector – Match and select topology from earlier body features
Some of these macros are included for convenience and are not strictly part of the Detessellate workflow.
Install via FreeCAD Addon Manager by adding the Detessellate Repository to the custom repositories list.
- Open the Preferences via Edit > Preferences.
- Go to Addon Manager Options.
- Click the green Plus button under the Custom Repository list window to add to the list.
- Paste the Repository URL into the Custom Repository dialog box: https://github.com/DesignWeaver3D/Detessellate
- Type in the Branch name: main
- Click OK
- Open Addon Manager and find Detessellate in the list.
- Click Install
- Restart FreeCAD.
- Access tools from the Detessellate workbench and/or the custom toolbars that the workbench creates.
- 📚 Expanded documentation and tutorials
- 🛠️ Additional utilities for Detessellate workflows
- 🎯 Integration with FreeCAD Addon Manager
- v0.4.2 (2026-04-01) - SketcherWireDoctor updated to v1.0.0, adding support for normal external geometry.
- v0.4.1 (2026-01-31) - Fixed ConstrainAllPointOnPoint default tolerance to 50 microns
- v0.4.0 (2026-01-31) - Added ConstrainAllPointOnPoint macro
- v0.3.3 (2026-01-24) - Edited commands so that macro buttons are grayed out if no active document.
- v0.3.2 (2026-01-23) - EdgeLoopToSketch refactored to support additional edge geometry types by utilizing DraftGeomUtils.orientEdge.
- v0.3.1 (2026-01-04) - Bug fix in commands for SketchReProfile.
- v0.3.0 (2026-01-04) - Massive optimizations of of CoplanarSketch & SketchReProfile macros for better handling of larger edge counts!
- v0.2.2 (2026-01-04) - Massive optimization of EdgeLoopSelector by @tarman3 , Thank You!
- v0.2.1 (2025‑12-23) - Fix the PointPlaneSketchCommand
- v0.2.0 (2025‑12-23) - Added ReconstructSolid and PointPlaneSketch macros. Patched Varset-Update to improve data type handling & conversion.
- v0.1.8 (2025‑12-08) - VarSetUpdate patched by @VeryOldBeard to fix the problem of replace being applied on partial matches and to add some more property tyepes.
- v0.1.7 (2025‑12-08) - EdgeLoopToSketch macro updated to v2.0 which fixes bugs and creates additional constraints in the sketch.
- v0.1.6 (2025‑12-07) - Added EdgeLoopToSketch macro for creating sketches from EdgeLoopSelector. Added face selection method to EdgeLoopSelector.
- v0.1.5 (2025‑12-07) - Added multiple loop selection to EdgeLoopSelector
- v0.1.4 (2025‑12‑02) – Fixed regression in CoplanarSketch Macro
- v0.1.3 (2025‑12‑02) – Optimized CoplanarSketch Macro for better handling of larger edge counts
- v0.1.2 (2025‑11‑30) – Improved tooltips for all toolbars
- v0.1.1 (2025‑11‑30) – Bug fix for
package.xmlfor Addon Manager - v0.1.0 (2025‑11‑26) – Initial release