FreeCAD module for creating boxes / cases suitable for laser cutting.

# Installation

Create the installation directory:

    mkdir -p ~/.FreeCAD/Mod

Either unzip the downloaded zip file or git clone the repository:

    cd ~/.FreeCAD/Mod
    unzip ../freecad-boxer.zip # or
    git clone https://trygvis.io/git/2016/05/freecad-boxer.git

After restarting FreeCAD you will have a new *Boxer* workbench available.

# Usage

To create a box create a new document and switch to the Boxer
workbench. The box configuration side panel will appear which you can
use to configure the box and its sides.

Adjust the outer dimmensions of your box and the notch size. Adjust
the thickness for the front side and either adjust the thickness for
the rest of the sides or apply the thickness to all other sides from
the front side.

If you don't want a top side on your box, uncheck the checkbox for the
top side.

Click on generate and wait a second or two while the model is
generated.

## Generated objects

The plugin will generate two groups of objects, one with the main box
objects and one with 2D views for creating the cutting DXF files.

The box objects are an extruded part object witch in turn is based on
a wire part object.

## Modifying the box before cutting

The 3D objects can be further modified, for example with a sketch on a
side face to create holes. If you do this, remember to update the
corresponding 2D view. Do this by updating the *Base* property in the
*data view* for the view.

## Cutting the box

To preview the objects to be cut, hide the *Box* group and show the
*Views* group. By selecting them in the object tree and pressing space
their visibility will be toggled.

Select all the views and use *File->Export* to export a file with all
the sides in it.

# Development

## Tips and tricks

When developing this module make sure you have the *Python console*
and *report views* visible. Enable them under View -> Panels if you
don't have them visible.

To reload the module when running:

    # This is only needed once
    def r():
        import Boxer; import BoxerGui; import BoxerDockWidget
        reload(Boxer); reload(BoxerGui); reload(BoxerDockWidget)

    # Reloads all the modules
    r()

## Possible new features

**Make text labels indicating the box sides**:

    import Draft
    Draft.makeText(["Front"], point = FreeCAD.Vector(50.0,50.0,0.0))