2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engineering Graphics and Solid Modeling I (GET 102) is a core course in Nigeria’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for undergraduate engineering programs. Traditionally, the course is taught using proprietary computer-aided design (CAD) software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks. While these tools are widely adopted, their high licensing costs create affordability and access challenges for many students and institutions in developing nations. This paper explores the potential of FreeCAD, a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), as an alternative platform for achieving the learning outcomes of GET 102.

Using a curriculum-to-tool mapping approach, the study compares CCMAS competencies with FreeCAD’s capabilities across major workbenches such as Sketcher, Part Design, Drafting, and Assembly. The analysis highlights areas where FreeCAD adequately supports required skills,
areas of partial alignment, and gaps where proprietary software remains more advanced. Beyond technical alignment, the paper also considers broader implications of adopting FreeCAD, including cost savings, sustainability, and opportunities for equitable access to
engineering education in resource-constrained contexts.

The findings demonstrate that while FreeCAD cannot yet replicate all advanced features of proprietary tools, it provides a viable and sustainable pathway for teaching fundamental concepts in engineering graphics. The paper concludes by proposing strategies for integrating FreeCAD into engineering curricula, offering insights into how FOSS adoption can contribute to sustainable and equitable engineering education and practice in developing nations.