Better Tool Library (BTL) is a FreeCAD addon (plugin) that replaces the built-in tool library for the CAM (previously known as the 'Path') workbench. It also provides a standalone tool if you want to use your library outside of FreeCAD.
Warning
I advise you make a backup of your tool library. I guarantee for nothing, there may be bugs.
| Feature | Better Tool Library | FreeCAD internal library |
|---|---|---|
| Modern UI |  |
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| Provides a shape browser | |
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| Tool search | |
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| Powerful Feeds & Speeds calculator | |
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| Tool sketch for supported shapes | |
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| Use outside of FreeCAD | |
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| Provides built-in common shapes | |
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| Store tool notes and additional info | |
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| Auto-generates tool icons | |
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| Can be used with no document open | |
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| CLI tool for import/export | |
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| Read BTL files | |
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| Write BTL files | |
Deletes BTL extra data!¹ |
| Import Fusion 360 tool library | |
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| Import from Camotics | |
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| Export to Camotics | |
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| Export to LinuxCNC | |
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¹ The original FreeCAD CAM workbench tool editor deletes any unknown attributes from the tool when editing it. So if you use BTL to save BTL-only tool information like Supplier or Description, and then uninstall BTL and edit that tool with the FreeCAD tool editor again, the information will be erased.
- Better Tool Library (BTL) is compatible with any FreeCAD version greater than or equal to version 0.19.
- If you installed FreeCAD from source, you may also need to install the Python requirements. If you are using the Appimage this step is not necessary, as BTL has no requirements that are not already included in the Appimage.
- Start FreeCAD
- Open the Addon Manager via Tools -> Addon manager
- Search for Better Tool Library and click on it
- Press Install
- You should see a prompt to restart FreeCAD, choose to restart
To run it, start FreeCAD and simply open the CAM workbench.
There should be a new icon at the end of the toolbar:
To use BTL via standalone (=outside of FreeCAD), you will have to install it using setuptools.
pip install btl
Instructions for running BTL that way are here.
Some instructions can be found here: