Software Development Skills

Advises how to approach building a design in FreeCAD 1.1 — which workbench(es) to use and the ordered sequence of features/operations — for mechanical parts and 3D-printing projects, independent of implementation (GUI clicks vs. scripted code). Covers approach and workflow, not dimensions or numeric values, and not the actual runpython code. Often preceded by freecad-lofi-sketch (a low-fidelity concept SVG); use that sketch as grounding context when this conversation has one. EXPLICIT INVOCATION ONLY — invoke only when a message directly asks for this skill by name (the /design-advisor slash command in the FreeCAD chat panel, or "use the design advisor skill"). A user wanting a part modelled is not, by itself, a reason to invoke it.

Turns font text (via Draft ShapeString) into hollow/channel outline lettering in this addon's live FreeCAD document -- backlit "channel letter" signage, LED-strip nameplates, or any 3D-printed text that needs a thin wall around the letterforms instead of solid fill. Exists because the naive approach (extrude solid letters, then shrink the wall inward with a 2D offset or makeThickness) is a confirmed crash: on cursive/script fonts with strokes thinner than the wall thickness, the inward shrink self-intersects and can segfault deep inside OCCT's offset code, taking the whole FreeCAD process down with any unsaved work. This skill's technique grows the wall OUTWARD instead (the robust direction) and hollows per touching letter-cluster rather than per glyph. Assumes the runpython execution contract from the system prompt (pre-bound names, one-call-one-transaction, Quantity). EXPLICIT INVOCATION ONLY -- invoke only when a message directly asks for this skill by name (the /hollow-text slash command in the FreeCAD chat panel, or "use the hollow-text skill"). A request for text, a sign, or a nameplate is not, by itself, a reason to invoke it.

Sketches a low-fidelity concept for a design idea as a single SVG "sheet" -- a graph-paper grid with three orthographic view panels (Top/Front/Left) -- before any dimensions, workbench choices, or code are decided. Runs BEFORE freecad-design-advisor in the design arc: draft and iterate on rough proportions and feature layout visually, then hand off to freecad-design-advisor for the workbench/feature plan. Touches no FreeCAD document -- it only writes a plain SVG file. Not for workbench/feature workflow (see freecad-design-advisor) or for the actual runpython code. EXPLICIT INVOCATION ONLY -- invoke only when a message directly asks for this skill by name (the /lofi-sketch slash command in the FreeCAD chat panel, or "use the lofi-sketch skill"). A new part or object idea is not, by itself, a reason to invoke it.