What is OpenSCAD used for?

OpenSCAD is a script-based solid 3D CAD modeller for precise, parametric parts, using constructive solid geometry and extruded 2D outlines. It is a good fit for designing 3D-printable machine parts and creating parametric models from code.

Is OpenSCAD open source?

Yes. OpenSCAD is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at openscad/openscad and is written mainly in C++.

Yes. OpenSCAD is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence.

Can I self-host OpenSCAD?

Yes. OpenSCAD can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is OpenSCAD an alternative to?

OpenSCAD is an open-source alternative to Autodesk Fusion, SolidWorks, Onshape and Autodesk Inventor. Other open-source alternatives to Autodesk Fusion include FreeCAD.

Is OpenSCAD actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to OpenSCAD was on 2 October 2026. The project has 10k stars on GitHub.

OpenSCAD: open-source alternative to Autodesk Fusion

About OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is free software for creating solid 3D CAD objects, available for Linux and UNIX, Windows and macOS. It concentrates on the CAD side of 3D modeling rather than the artistic side, which makes it a fit for machine parts and engineering objects but not for computer-animated films.

It is not an interactive modeler. Instead it works like a 3D compiler that reads a script describing the object and renders the model from it. That gives designers full control over each step and makes it easy to change parameters or produce configurable designs. The two main techniques are constructive solid geometry and extrusion of 2D outlines, and it can read and write DXF, STL and OFF files.

The program is written in C++ with Qt and OpenGL, and the README explains building from source on macOS, Linux, BSD and Windows. When you open the app, the window shows three frames, including a script editor on the left. Its license is stated in the repository, and binaries can be downloaded from the project website.

Key features

Script-driven 3D CAD modeling
Constructive solid geometry operations
Extrusion of 2D outlines
Import and export of DXF, STL and OFF
Parametric, configurable designs
Linux, Windows and macOS builds

Good fit for

→Designing 3D-printable machine parts
→Creating parametric models from code

Built with: C++
Tags: cad; 3d-modeling; 3d-printing; parametric; scripting; stl; cross-platform; cpp

OpenSCAD: questions and answers

What is OpenSCAD used for?: OpenSCAD is a script-based solid 3D CAD modeller for precise, parametric parts, using constructive solid geometry and extruded 2D outlines. It is a good fit for designing 3D-printable machine parts and creating parametric models from code.
Is OpenSCAD open source?: Yes. OpenSCAD is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at openscad/openscad and is written mainly in C++.
Is OpenSCAD free?: Yes. OpenSCAD is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence.
Can I self-host OpenSCAD?: Yes. OpenSCAD can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is OpenSCAD an alternative to?: OpenSCAD is an open-source alternative to Autodesk Fusion, SolidWorks, Onshape and Autodesk Inventor. Other open-source alternatives to Autodesk Fusion include FreeCAD.
Is OpenSCAD actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to OpenSCAD was on 2 October 2026. The project has 10k stars on GitHub.