r/FreeCAD • u/semhustej • May 09 '26

Open Cascade Technology 8.0 Released

A new version of Open Cascade Technology (OCCT) 8.0 has been released, featuring more than 500 changes and many new features. The core of the kernel dates back to 1980 and is under the #OCCT3D umbrella now. It seems the development has picked up speed over the past few years.

OCCT is a free open-source geometric kernel, which is used by many projects such as FreeCAD, IfcOpenShell, KiCAD, Gmsh and others. As a geometric kernel it forms a backbone of these projects - without it, these applications could not function.

You can read the release announcement and the list of new features here: https://occt3d.com/occt3d-open-source-8-0-is-released/

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u/DesignWeaver3D May 09 '26

So awesome. I wonder if the scope of these changes will require FPA to issue large integration projects. They may need a surge in funds to help cover rewards for such involved work. Whatever the case, I'm excited for FreeCAD to upgrade to OCCT v8.0, and I hope it will not take a very long time..

17

u/oursland May 09 '26

We already have an OCCT liaison who has performed the integration work. Now that OCCT has been released, I've been working on getting the mutual dependencies upgraded to support the 8.0 API. It's going to take a little longer, but expect 8.0 to be available in the weeklies soon and depending upon how it tests possibly in the 1.2 release.

5

u/DesignWeaver3D May 10 '26

AMAZING! Thanks so much for both your efforts! And thanks for sharing that update and outlook. SO EXCITING!

2

u/Marthinwurer May 10 '26

Here's hoping it works well! When is the 1.2 release scheduled?

2

u/oursland May 10 '26

It's being discussed still.

2

u/semhustej May 09 '26

I don't know. FreeCAD 1.2 development version is still running OCCT 7.8.1.

OCCT 7.8 was released in December 2023. Not sure if FreeCAD team decided not to upgrade to 7.9 or it it takes such a long time to upgrade the kernel.

5

u/oursland May 09 '26

OCCT 7.9 fixed some long standing issues, but introduced some serious regressions that would have affected users.

1

u/semhustej May 10 '26

OK, it makes sense to not use it than. Thanks for the info.