How to Add Embossed and Debossed Text in FreeCAD

Adding embossed (raised) or debossed (engraved) text to a 3D model in FreeCAD is accomplished by combining the Draft and Part Design workbenches. This process involves generating 2D text geometry using the ShapeString tool, positioning it precisely on the target face of a solid body, and then applying either a Pad operation to raise the lettering or a Pocket operation to cut it into the material.

Step 1: Prepare the Solid Body

  1. Open your project in FreeCAD and switch to the Part Design Workbench.
  2. Ensure you have an active Body with a solid model feature (such as an extruded base).
  3. Identify the flat planar face where the text will be applied.

Step 2: Create the Text with ShapeString

  1. Switch to the Draft Workbench using the workbench dropdown menu.
  2. Click the ShapeString tool (represented by an "S" icon).
  3. In the Draft task panel on the left, set the coordinates for the insertion point, or click directly on the 3D model face.
  4. Enter your desired text in the String field.
  5. Set the Size (height of the text letters).
  6. In the Font file field, click the browse button (...) and locate a valid TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) font file on your computer (typically found in C:\Windows\Fonts on Windows or /usr/share/fonts/ on Linux). FreeCAD requires a direct link to the font file to generate geometry.
  7. Click OK to generate the 2D text outline.

Step 3: Align the ShapeString to the Solid

  1. In the tree view, select the newly created ShapeString object.
  2. In the Property View (Data tab below the tree view), expand the Placement property.
  3. Adjust the Position (X, Y, Z coordinates) and Rotation to align the text flat against the target face of your solid body. The ShapeString must touch or intersect the surface of the body.

Step 4: Integrate the Text into the Part Design Body

  1. Switch back to the Part Design Workbench.
  2. Ensure your target Body is active (double-click it in the tree view if it is not bold).
  3. Drag and drop the ShapeString object into the Body in the tree view, or select the ShapeString and click Create a SubShapeBinder from the Part Design toolbar to reference the geometry inside the active body.

Step 5: Emboss or Deboss the Text

  • To Emboss (Raised Text): Select the ShapeString (or binder) inside the Body and click the Pad tool. Enter the desired height for the raised lettering (e.g., 1 mm or 2 mm) and verify the extrusion points outward from the solid face. Click OK.
  • To Deboss (Engraved Text): Select the ShapeString (or binder) inside the Body and click the Pocket tool. Enter the desired cut depth (e.g., 1 mm). Ensure the direction cuts into the solid material, check Reversed if necessary, and click OK.