forbes-0023
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Expand documentation pages with real content sourced from the codebase: - guide/ztools.md: full 16 datum mode reference, all 24+ command classes, PartDesign injection table, internal properties, known gaps - guide/silo.md: all 14 commands with shortcuts, origin capability table, architecture diagram, migration inventory, deployment configs, schema docs - reference/configuration.md: full Silo parameter table, keyboard shortcuts, update checker params, theme settings, build config, server config - introduction.md: added origin system, FreeCAD relationship section, expanded theme description
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Kindred Create
Kindred Create is a fork of FreeCAD 1.0+ that adds integrated tooling for professional engineering workflows. It ships custom workbenches and a dark theme on top of FreeCAD's parametric modeling core.
- License: LGPL 2.1+
- Organization: Kindred Systems LLC
- Build system: CMake + pixi
- Current version: Kindred Create v0.1.0 (FreeCAD base v1.0.0)
Key features
ztools — A unified workbench that consolidates part design, assembly, and sketcher tools into a single interface. Adds custom datum creation (planes, axes, points with 16 creation modes), pattern tools for assemblies, an enhanced pocket with flip-side cutting, and spreadsheet formatting commands.
Silo — A parts database system for managing CAD files, part numbers, revisions, and bills of materials across teams. Includes a Go REST API server backed by PostgreSQL and MinIO, with FreeCAD commands for opening, saving, and syncing files directly from the application.
Catppuccin Mocha theme — A dark theme applied across the entire application, including the 3D viewport, sketch editor, spreadsheet view, and tree view. Uses spanning-line branch indicators instead of disclosure arrows, with tuned preference defaults for document handling, selection behavior, and notifications.
Origin system — A pluggable file backend abstraction. The origin selector in the File toolbar lets you switch between local filesystem operations and Silo database operations. Silo commands (Commit, Pull, Push, Info, BOM) are available across all workbenches when Silo is the active origin.
Update checker — On startup, Kindred Create checks the Gitea releases API for newer versions and logs the result. Configurable check interval and skip-version preferences.
How it relates to FreeCAD
Kindred Create is a fork/distribution of FreeCAD 1.0+. The design minimizes core modifications — custom functionality is delivered through submodule addons (ztools, Silo) that follow FreeCAD's standard workbench pattern. If the addon submodules are missing, Kindred Create still functions as a themed FreeCAD.
The primary additions to FreeCAD's core are:
- The origin system (
FileOrigininterface insrc/Gui/) for pluggable file backends - The Create bootstrap module (
src/Mod/Create/) that loads addons at startup - The Catppuccin Mocha theme (
KindredCreate.qss) and preference pack - Patches to Assembly (
findPlacement()datum/origin handling)