TrustRadius Insights
OpenSCAD has found its place among start-up companies and hobbyists alike due to its open-source nature and free availability. Users …
Overview
Recent Reviews
Leaving a review helps other professionals like you evaluate Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software
Be the first one in your network to review OpenSCAD, and make your voice heard!
Get StartedPricing
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Would you like us to let the vendor know that you want pricing?
Alternatives Pricing
What is DraftSight?
DraftSight is a 2D and 3D CAD solution for architects, engineers and construction service providers, as well as professional CAD users, designers, educators and hobbyists. DraftSight lets users create, edit, view, and markup any kind of 2D and 3D DWG file with greater ease, speed, and efficiency.…
What is AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a CAD product from Autodesk. It allows designers to work in 2D and 3D, and is available on Windows and Mac, but with extensive online collaboration tools.
Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
What is OpenSCAD?
OpenSCAD Features
- Supported: 3D Design & Modeling
- Supported: Annotations
OpenSCAD Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Mac, Windows, Linux |
Comparisons
Compare with
Reviews
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
OpenSCAD has found its place among start-up companies and hobbyists alike due to its open-source nature and free availability. Users appreciate the unique approach of creating models through programmed mathematical functions, allowing for easy customization and parametric capabilities. However, it should be noted that while smaller shapes are simple to create, more complex designs can result in large blocks of code that may be difficult to understand. OpenSCAD's compatibility with other applications through easy import and export functionality is also a major plus.
In the research arena, OpenSCAD is being utilized for a range of applications such as designing custom components, laboratory equipment, and structures for material science research. The software's ability to quickly visualize new ideas has been valued in fields like food ware design and medical equipment development. Additionally, OpenSCAD's modular code base makes it easy to evolve designs over time. It has also proven useful in educational settings, acting as a teaching tool for design and parametric modeling.
For clients seeking precise and customizable objects, OpenSCAD offers total control over dimensioning and tolerances. This flexibility allows for easy scaling or modification of designs to accommodate new hardware or material thickness. Moreover, OpenSCAD serves as an effective tool for CAD drawings, whether it's creating models for 3D printing or projecting future office space layouts. Its constructive solid geometry and extrusion techniques provide versatile presentation options.
The automation and efficiency offered by OpenSCAD make it invaluable for converting models into 3D printing forms and undertaking what-if modeling scenarios. It is also commonly used for creating replacements for broken pieces of real objects. Furthermore, the software's ease of use and speed have made it a popular choice for programming CAD models and designing prototype fixtures.
Overall, OpenSCAD finds its niche among those looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience in 3D modeling and design. Whether it's start-ups harnessing its open-source capabilities or hobbyists exploring their creative projects, OpenSCAD offers a range of use cases that cater to different needs in various industries.
Intuitive Code-based Approach: Several users have found OpenSCAD's code-based approach to be intuitive, particularly for those with programming experience in various languages. They appreciate the simplicity of defining models using code and find it easy to navigate without any interruptions or difficulties.
Parametric Design and Modularity: Many reviewers value OpenSCAD's ability to create parametric designs and modular components. They highlight that the same code can be used for different sizes by importing it as a module, making it convenient and efficient to work with.
Powerful CAD Capabilities: Numerous users consider OpenSCAD's parametric CAD capabilities as its standout feature. They believe that this software is an essential tool in the toolkit of anyone who owns a 3D printer. The ability to adjust models based on input parameters, export STL files, and use them for printing is highly appreciated by these users.
-
Complicated and difficult to understand: Some users have found the way of defining models in OpenSCAD to be complicated and quickly becoming difficult to understand, leading to frustration and challenges in using the software effectively.
-
Limited functionality for non-programmers: Reviewers have expressed that OpenSCAD has a small amount of functionalities and limited rendering outputs, making it less suitable for people with little or no programming and mathematical skills. This limitation can hinder their ability to create complex designs as desired.
-
Slow rendering engine: Users have reported that the rendering or compiling engine in OpenSCAD is slow, resulting in long processing times for designs. The software's single-threaded nature does not significantly accelerate even with powerful hardware, which can lead to delays and inefficiencies during design creation.
OpenSCAD has received several recommendations from users. Here are the three most common ones:
-
Try OpenSCAD if you are learning CAD or if you are a programmer. Users have found OpenSCAD to be more elegant and less buggy than Fusion 360. It is particularly suitable for those with a programming background who want to create 3D objects, especially for repetitive parts.
-
Use OpenSCAD for CAD purposes and take advantage of the drawing tools included. Users have found OpenSCAD to be a versatile modeling software with a large number of plugins and a vibrant community. They also recommend reading the online wiki manual and searching for libraries to create the shapes needed.
-
Consider using OpenSCAD if you enjoy coding and need to make 3D objects. It is recommended for parametric modeling, but users suggest finding a more suitable program for non-parametric models. If you have memory issues or a less powerful computer, it may not be the best choice.
Overall, OpenSCAD is favored by users who appreciate its coding capabilities and find it useful for understanding programming concepts and creating simple designs. However, some users also suggest exploring alternatives like Fusion 360 or Onshape depending on specific needs.