How to Engrave Text in FreeCAD

Engraving text in FreeCAD can give a personal touch to your 3D models—whether it’s labeling parts, adding serial numbers, or customizing designs with a name or logo. While FreeCAD is known for its precision and versatility in modeling, text engraving isn’t always straightforward for newcomers. With the right approach, however, you can create elegant and readable text engravings that are perfect for 3D printing or CNC machining. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to engrave text using FreeCAD’s built-in tools in a simple and efficient way.

TL;DR

Engraving text in FreeCAD involves using the Draft or Sketcher workbench to create text, converting it into a 2D shape using Draft to Sketch, and then extruding or cutting it into a 3D object. It’s ideal for labeling models or adding customization. Make sure to use a high-quality, open font and keep your geometry clean before engraving. With practice, this process becomes quick and rewarding.

Why Engrave Text in FreeCAD?

There are many scenarios where adding text directly onto the surface of a part becomes essential. Whether you’re marking dimensions, customizing a component with a name, or creating aesthetic branding, engraving text serves both functional and decorative purposes. Unlike stickers or decals, engraved text is built into the model, making it ideal for 3D printing and milling operations.

Preparing Your Text

Before you jump into the modeling, you need to decide what the text will say and where it should appear. Here are some general suggestions:

• Keep it simple: Avoid overly complex fonts or special characters which might create problematic geometry.
• Choose a good font: Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Liberation Sans tend to extrude better for CNC-friendly operations.
• Plan the placement: Think about the part’s surface curvature and visibility when choosing where to engrave the text.

Step-by-Step: Engraving Text in FreeCAD

Step 1: Switch to the Draft Workbench

First, open FreeCAD and load or create the model you wish to engrave. Switch to the Draft Workbench using the menu in the top toolbar. This workbench includes the ‘Text’ tool that allows you to place vector text directly inside the 3D view.

Step 2: Add Text

Click the Create ShapeString icon in the toolbar. This opens a panel where you can:

• Enter the text you want to engrave.
• Choose the font file (.ttf) you want to use. Typically, these are located in your operating system’s font directory.
• Set the height of the text (this affects scaling later on).
• Set the position coordinates and orientation.

Once you’ve filled out the information, click OK. The text will appear as a flat ShapeString in your 3D view.

Step 3: Convert to Sketch

Although the ShapeString is visible, it isn’t editable yet. You’ll need to convert it into a sketch that can be used to cut through geometry.

Go to the Part Workbench, select your ShapeString, and click Draft to Sketch. This converts the vector text into a sketch object—essentially a group of wire outlines that can be extruded or used for Boolean operations.

Step 4: Position the Text

At this point, your text sketch may not be on the model or in the right orientation. Use the Placement property (found in the combo view under data) to rotate, move, or scale the sketch as needed. For example, if you want the text on the top face of a cube, rotate the sketch so it lies flush with that face, then move it into position.

Step 5: Use Boolean Cut for Engraving

Now it’s time to engrave the text. In the Part Workbench:

1. Select the text Sketch.
2. Use the Extrude tool to create a 3D solid from the sketch. Be sure to extrude into the body—not out of it. This will determine how deep the engraving goes.
3. Select the original 3D body, then the newly extruded text solid.
4. Click Boolean → Cut to subtract the text solid from the body.

And there it is! You’ve engraved your custom text into a FreeCAD part.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the steps above are fairly straightforward, you might run into a few common problems. Here’s how to solve them:

• Letters not showing in full: Some fonts don’t convert well into sketches. Try a different, simpler font file.
• Cut operation fails: Ensure both the base shape and the extruded text are solids—not just shells or faces.
• Overlapping geometry: Make sure the extrude doesn’t extend beyond or fall short of the host part’s surface.

Tips for Better Results

To ensure clean, production-quality engravings, consider the following tips:

• Increase sketch resolution: FreeCAD may simplify curves in text; increasing fidelity can help improve accuracy.
• Preview the cut: Always inspect the view in Part workbench before completing the cut, especially when letters partially intersect edges.
• Make engraving shallow for 3D printing: Deep cuts might not come out well in FDM printing—0.2 mm to 0.5 mm is usually enough.

Alternative: Embossing Instead of Engraving

Instead of cutting into your model, you may wish to emboss text—raising it from the surface. This can be achieved almost the same way but using a different Boolean operation:

1. Repeat all previous steps through text extrusion.
2. Instead of selecting Cut, use the Union Boolean function.

This fuses the text solid onto your base part, raising it rather than cutting in. This is especially useful for decorative lettering or titles.

Engraving on Curved Surfaces

One of the more advanced tasks in FreeCAD is text engraving on non-flat surfaces like cylinders or spheres. As of recent releases, FreeCAD doesn’t support text wrapping natively within the UI. However, you can use third-party macros like Curved Shapestring or design the wrapped text in an external program (like Inkscape), then import it as an SVG.

Another method is to project the sketch onto a curved surface using the Map Sketch to Face tool in PartDesign or with external tools/macros. Be prepared for some manual tweaking.

Exporting for Manufacture

Once engraving is complete, don’t forget to verify your model’s readiness for 3D printing or milling:

• Perform a mesh check: Use Mesh Design workbench to verify mesh integrity.
• Export in correct format: Use .STL for 3D printing and .STEP/.IGES for CNC workflows.
• Simulate tool paths: For CAM applications, simulate engraving paths in FreeCAD’s Path Workbench before exporting G-code.

Conclusion

Engraving text in FreeCAD isn’t just a technical task—it’s an art that enhances the clarity, functionality, and personality of your projects. With access to powerful tools in the Draft, Part, and PartDesign workbenches, engraving becomes a flexible and creative process. Whether you’re labeling internal parts or crafting a personalized product, FreeCAD gives you the control and precision needed to do it professionally.

By following these steps and experimenting with different placements, fonts, and depths, you’ll soon become comfortable with adding beautifully engraved text directly onto your 3D models.