{
 "schemaVersion": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-30",
 "dataLicense": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "notice": "Data from Open Source Everything (https://opensourceeverything.org), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0: use it freely, credit the site, link to the page, and share changes under the same license. Listings were drafted with AI assistance and are managed by the r/TrueOpenSource moderators; check a project's own page before relying on a fact.",
 "id": "cad",
 "name": "CAD & technical plans",
 "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/cad/",
 "category": "creative",
 "categoryName": "Creative",
 "job": "Designing precise plans and 3D parts for building and making things",
 "closedApps": [
  "AutoCAD",
  "SolidWorks",
  "Fusion 360",
  "SketchUp"
 ],
 "coverage": "one-full",
 "alternatives": [
  {
   "id": "freecad",
   "name": "FreeCAD",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/freecad/",
   "summary": "FreeCAD is a free design program for making 3D models of real objects, such as parts, buildings and machines, and for creating drawings from them. It takes time to learn but is capable.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "LGPL-2.1",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 34821,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD",
   "website": "https://www.freecad.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "freecad",
   "rank": 1,
   "fit": "full",
   "note": "3D parts; takes time to learn",
   "why": "Does the whole job · Easy setup",
   "score": 72.6
  },
  {
   "id": "librecad",
   "name": "LibreCAD",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/librecad/",
   "summary": "LibreCAD is a free program for flat, 2D technical drawings such as floor plans and part outlines. It opens and saves the common DXF drawing files. It does not do 3D.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-2.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 6514,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD",
   "website": "https://librecad.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "librecad",
   "rank": 2,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "2D drawings only",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Easy setup",
   "score": 42.9
  },
  {
   "id": "openscad",
   "name": "OpenSCAD",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/openscad/",
   "summary": "OpenSCAD makes 3D models from a short written description instead of drawing with a mouse. It suits 3D printing and exact, repeatable parts.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-2.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 10523,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/openscad/openscad",
   "website": "https://openscad.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "openscad",
   "rank": 3,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "You describe shapes in writing instead of drawing",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Easy setup",
   "score": 40.6
  },
  {
   "id": "solvespace",
   "name": "SolveSpace",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/solvespace/",
   "summary": "SolveSpace is a small, fast program for designing 3D parts by sketching shapes and setting exact measurements. It is simpler than FreeCAD and good for mechanical parts.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 4221,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/solvespace/solvespace",
   "website": "https://solvespace.com",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "solvespace",
   "rank": 4,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "Simple 3D parts; fewer tools than FreeCAD",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Easy setup",
   "score": 37.9
  },
  {
   "id": "qcad",
   "name": "QCAD",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/qcad/",
   "summary": "QCAD is a program for 2D technical drawings that feels close to classic AutoCAD. The free Community Edition is open source; extra tools such as extra file formats come in a paid Professional edition.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open_core",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 1914,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/qcad/qcad",
   "website": "https://qcad.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "qcad",
   "rank": 5,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "2D drawings; some tools are paid",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Easy setup",
   "score": 34.8
  }
 ],
 "source": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/cad/",
 "group": "CAD & technical plans",
 "replaces": [
  "AutoCAD",
  "SolidWorks",
  "Fusion 360",
  "SketchUp"
 ]
}