FreeCAD 1.1 Release Video

[CRogersMedia]

This issue is to track and host discussion of the FreeCAD 1.1 video.

TODO:

• Set up FPA/Video folder on Repository for Video Assets
• Video script (text version) (C.Rogers)
• Pick new Music?
• Rebrand Ondsel assets to FreeCAD (C.Rogers)
• Create video based on script (C.Rogers)
• Collect feedback, and make any changes needed.
• Work with FreeCAD social media team to track release date
• Post finished video to FreeCAD Youtube channel

[CRogersMedia]

Current Specs and description here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18RAGt2SovNxXHht4wCe2MqsaDDFFRKtzOvWMuta8TAo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4zfzlilhlhjy

[Reqrefusion]

On Discord, Mr. Bones did this. He used 3 features that he considered important.

[Reqrefusion]

I also want to say something in music, my suggestion: J. S. Bach Two Part Invention no 13 in A minor BWV 784.

In fact, one of the reasons I recommend this part is that it was used in the Commodore 64 commercials.
Commodore 64 "A Day in the Life" Commercial (1984)
Commodore 64 Commercial: How Old Would You Be?
Commodore 64 Commercial: The revolution is here(My Favorite)

For the last video, I asked ChatGPT to write a similar text for FreeCAD, I share it because I like his jokes so much. Actually, it has nothing to do with it:

SolidWorks says it wants to put
3D design on every engineer’s desk…
as long as that desk belongs to a company
with a very generous budget.

Autodesk Fusion says “Make Anything”
and talks about the future of design and manufacturing…
but once you switch to a professional plan,
that future starts showing up in your credit card history.

Onshape calls itself a leader
in the cloud CAD revolution…
and with its subscription prices,
the only thing lighter than the cloud
might just be your wallet.

FreeCAD, on the other hand, offers
parametric 3D modeling, technical drawings, extensions,
and cross-platform support…
and does it with zero license fees,
as open-source software.

So while everyone keeps talking about
the “CAD revolution” and “design for everyone,”
you can live that revolution today with FreeCAD —
truly accessible, and truly free.

[obelisk79]

Don't butcher the logo and typeface with those amateurish versioning on them. We have published guidelines regarding use of the logo to prevent exactly this. Just follow those.

[Reqrefusion]

Don't butcher the logo and typeface with those amateurish versioning on them. We have published guidelines regarding use of the logo to prevent exactly this. Just follow those.

I shared them here not to be used, but to convey the things that have been done in some way. Also, it's really rude to call it amateurish.

[obelisk79]

I respect that someone put time, and effort into creating them, but they are obviously the product of an amateur, and I would not recommend using them as examples. Stating such shouldn't be considered rude.

[Reqrefusion]

I respect that someone put time, and effort into creating them, but they are obviously the product of an amateur, and I would not recommend using them as examples. Stating such shouldn't be considered rude.

The question here is whether the issue is that these proposals don't follow the logo guidelines, or simply that you personally don't like them. “Amateur” literally means someone who does not do this work for money, and it really shouldn’t be used as a pejorative term. Even if you don’t see it as an rude, I think you can agree it’s not a very kind choice of wording. Also, in the context of this discussion, even the “worst” examples can still be useful and provide inspiration.

[kadet1090]

@Reqrefusion your comment did not suggest that you share them as example of let's say "fan art" or "cool graphics from community" not to be used in the video, rather, the context suggests opposite. The problem here is that the proposed graphic is not created in the same style as logo - current logo is in very minimalist and flat style, while the added "1.1" uses a lot of colors and 3D shapes resulting in something that does not look consistent. Furthermore, the 3D versions simply violate the logo usage guidelines.

[obelisk79]

The question here is whether the issue is that these proposals don't follow the logo guidelines, or simply that you personally don't like them.

Both, I'd also articulate that it lacks a sense of professional refinement that was presented with the 1.0 release materials which would present an appearance of downgrade rather than upgrade. Regarding the semantics of the use of 'amateur' while being rather direct, I was not using it from the perspective as a pejorative. In modern English, it means lacking in professional merit or quality. I would suggest we take this off of GitHub if you would like to discuss further as this is not the appropriate place for debate over such disagreements.

[Reqrefusion]

@Reqrefusion your comment did not suggest that you share them as example of let's say "fan art" or "cool graphics from community" not to be used in the video, rather, the context suggests opposite. The problem here is that the proposed graphic is not created in the same style as logo - current logo is in very minimalist and flat style, while the added "1.1" uses a lot of colors and 3D shapes resulting in something that does not look consistent. Furthermore, the 3D versions simply violate the logo usage guidelines.

First of all, trying to “read” my intentions like this is not a very fair way to communicate, and in this case you are mistaken. You are saying: “because you did not state that these were meant as inspiration, you must have meant the opposite.” But I also never stated the opposite of that.
If we follow that line of reasoning, does everything I don’t explicitly write automatically mean I intended the exact inverse of it? That’s not a sound or consistent way to argue.

Apart from that, I agree with you that combining something like this with the logo in a fully acceptable and consistent way is quite difficult and rarely achieved.

[tigert]

I agree we should make sure the graphics in the video follow our guidelines. The design does not follow them.

But we should also welcome new contributors, and be kind and helpful with feedback so that they want to keep contributing and maybe take the effort to adapt their design to fit. I think calling something unprofessional was not necessary, especially since we are all more or less contributing our own free time to improve FreeCAD.

I do like the 3D "1.1" idea, and how it hilights the new features. I think it could well work if we just make sure the FreeCAD logo is sufficiently separate from it. Like for example how we do with the splash screens.

[Reqrefusion]

I am always surprised that Jean Sibelius - En saga is so little used despite being so good.

[CRogersMedia]

Little preview of the motion graphic of the FreeCAD mechanical toolbox theme, to go in the intro. I pulled the names and commit numbers for the current set of contributors. This motion graphic appears on the screen of the toolbox, and highlights the fact that many many contributors work on FreeCAD to make it the excellent piece of software that it is.

update_progress_bar.mp4

[CRogersMedia]

Here's a quick sample of the screen in-situ (minus camera movement, so you can see the whole model).

Screencast.From.2025-11-29.18-19-39.webm