Skip to content
Gratistack, home
Menu

Parametric 3D CAD

Design mechanical parts and assemblies with parametric, history-based modeling.

Open one to see every alternative, ranked.

Free parametric 3D CAD tools

Every free tool in this category, by name.

Filter alternatives

3 alternatives

  • FreeCAD

    Open-source parametric 3D modeler with sketching, assemblies, 2D drawings, a BIM workbench and Python scripting.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Active
    • DWG: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Needs the free ODA File Converter or LibreDWG; geometry and layers only
    • DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry, layers and text carry over; blocks and dimensions can lose detail
    • PDF: saves only, full fidelity. TechDraw pages export to PDF; PDFs cannot be opened for editing
    • STL: opens and saves, full fidelity. Mesh format
    • STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Solid geometry exchange
    • +1 more

    This replaces Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Fusion, Autodesk Revit and SOLIDWORKS

  • Onshape

    Cloud-native parametric CAD that runs in a browser, with a free plan for non-commercial work.

    License: Free tier
    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    Status: Verified
    • STEP: opens and saves, full fidelity. Geometry and face color carry over
    • STL: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Imported meshes are reference only and cannot be edited
    • DXF: opens and saves, full fidelity. 2D sketches and drawings
    • SLDPRT: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports as non-parametric geometry; exports STEP instead
    • SLDASM: opens only, partial fidelity. Import the assembly and its parts as a single zip file

    This replaces Autodesk Fusion and SOLIDWORKS

  • SolveSpace

    Small open-source parametric 2D and 3D CAD with a constraint solver, used for mechanical sketches and linkages.

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Active
    • STEP: saves only, partial fidelity. STEP export is listed on the project site; STEP import is not
    • STL: saves only, partial fidelity. Exports triangle meshes for 3D printing
    • DXF: opens and saves, partial fidelity. 2D geometry only

    This replaces Autodesk Fusion