OpenSCAD
A 3D modeller you write rather than draw: a script describes the object, and the program compiles it into a solid.
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6 more ways to get OpenSCAD
Other download sites
Run by third parties, not by The OpenSCAD project. Prefer the official page above when it works.
Package managers
- winget
winget install --id OpenSCAD.OpenSCAD - Chocolatey
choco install openscad - Homebrew
brew install --cask openscad - Flathub
flatpak install flathub org.openscad.OpenSCAD - Snap Store
snap install openscad
About OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. It works like a 3D compiler: you write a script describing the object and it renders the model from that script. That gives complete control over every step and makes designs that are defined by configurable parameters trivial to produce.
It focuses on the CAD side rather than the artistic side, so it suits machine parts and printable objects rather than animated characters. The two main techniques are constructive solid geometry and extrusion of 2D outlines. Worth knowing: the last tagged stable release is 2021.01, and most users run the development snapshots the project publishes.
Strengths
- A script is a design, so parameterised objects and version control come for free
- Constructive solid geometry and 2D extrusion, aimed squarely at CAD rather than art
- A browser playground exists for trying it without installing anything
- Large library ecosystem of ready-made building blocks
Limitations
- The last tagged stable release is 2021.01, so in practice people run development snapshots
- Not an interactive modeller: you cannot click and drag geometry
- Preview and render times grow quickly on complex models
- The project itself says it is not the tool for computer-animated movies
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source, funded through Open Collective.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Developer
- The OpenSCAD project
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Parametric parts for 3D printing, described in code
- Categories
- 3D and CAD
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (3D & CAD); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 5 sources on file.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
