OpenSCAD
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OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and MacOS.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Austria
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Features
OpenSCAD News & Activities
Highlights • All activities
Recent News
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- crse updated OpenSCAD
- Eighty-nine liked OpenSCAD
- crse updated OpenSCAD
- Taurolyon rated OpenSCAD
DrawAFence added OpenSCAD as alternative to Draw A Fence- Buom_01 liked OpenSCAD
POX added OpenSCAD as alternative to CAD Sketcher
OpenSCAD information
Developed by
Clifford Wolf Licensing
Open Source and Free product.Written in
Rating
Average rating of 4.5Alternatives
46 alternatives listedSupported Languages
AlternativeTo Category
Photos & GraphicsGitHub repository
- 7,781 Stars
- 1,294 Forks
- 978 Open Issues
- Updated Apr 27, 2025
Comments and Reviews
Tricky to do curves and rounded edge, but for most task, particularly artifacts, it's really quick to get beautiful result. Its interface is really ugly while its code editor is too much basic, but that's not a real problem at all. I set 4 stars because its learning curve is OK and all works I do with it render fine. There are some online modules to create rounded square, else the `minkowski` module will do the job.
Openscad enables you to construct 3D objects by building up from cubes, prisms, spheres, cones etc. You specify dimensions in a script which I find easier because I dont have to learn a viewing and editing interface.
Also making accurate drawings does not require manual dexterity.
There is a rendering interface so that you can see your object in 3D. This is a little limited but quite workable. My main problem is losing the object by zooming out too far or having it offscreen and it is a bit hard to get it visible again.
Output and printing is limit. You can output in STL, which I have imported into Blender OK. You can project onto a plane which you can output as DXF. This does not seem to load into InkScape unfortunately. Someone said it loads into Openoffice draw. The DXF file opens into Qcad OK. This is how I have printed so far but you have the Qcad text written over your file on the demo version.
I am making a plan of my house. I have found this the most successful solution yet because I can add a room or 2 at night by just adding to the script and I can add comments.
One niggle - (I think it is limitation of the constcructive geometry system used) is that you cant get the program to to give you measurements off a constructed object. You are reduced to working out coordincates which can be tricky after you have done a lot of transforms.