Want to judge it yourself? Use the launcher at the top of this page to open SolidCraft, then come back and compare notes. This is an unofficial review of the free open-source CAD app, written only from the project's own repository and docs. For the quick overview, start on the home page. Release checked: v0.16.2, published 2026-10-19 (as of 2026-10-20).
The short verdict
SolidCraft is a promising young parametric CAD program for simple parts, not yet a drop-in replacement for a mature commercial suite. The README itself says "early but usable for simple parts." That honesty is a good sign, and it is also the best summary of where it stands.
What works well
- A real parametric workflow. You sketch, constrain and build solids on an editable feature timeline. Change a dimension and the model rebuilds. The README lists extrude, revolve, sweep, loft, fillet, chamfer, shell, draft, holes, threads, patterns, mirror, split and combine.
- Its own constraint solver. Sketches support lines, arcs, splines and text, with parameter-driven dimensions and unit-aware expressions.
- Broader scope than a hobby tool. The README also lists assemblies with joints and motion studies, configurations, and sheet metal with flanges, hems and flat patterns. We cover the latter in the sheet metal guide.
- Published accuracy checks. The README says 75 of 76 public reference parts match their analytic or FreeCAD-computed volume, area, centre of mass and bounding box, and the remaining one is a tracked bug. The project documents a fuzzing setup that logs refused operations separately from real failures.
- Many ways to run it. The same commands power the desktop app, a browser version, a headless CLI and an MCP server for AI agents.
- Open and free. MIT or Apache-2.0, pure Rust, no account needed.
- File support. STEP, IGES, 3MF, STL, OBJ and glTF in and out where supported, plus FreeCAD and Rhino files on import. See the STEP file guide.
What is missing or rough
- Not signed yet. The downloads page says builds are unsigned. On Windows choose More info, then Run anyway in SmartScreen. On macOS, right-click the app and choose Open the first time. Trusted distribution signing is listed as remaining work on the roadmap.
- No 2D drawings. The roadmap marks drawings as deferred.
- No simulation or CAM. Simulation and Manufacture/CAM are on the roadmap's "deferred until further notice" list, along with Render, Animation, mesh and form modelling, and PCB workspaces.
- Surface modelling is limited by design. The roadmap defers surfaces "beyond what solids need."
- Some advanced geometry is refused. The known-limitations list says G2 fillets only cover straight edges between planar faces, and the robustness docs describe some fillets between curved faces as "not supported yet."
- STEP assemblies arrive rigid. The STEP import docs say the contents of an imported assembly are rigid by default.
- Still moving fast. Work is listed as in progress across several areas, including robust modelling and UI depth, so expect change between releases.
Who it is for
| You are... | Verdict |
|---|---|
| A maker designing brackets, enclosures or 3D-printable parts | Worth trying today |
| Curious about open-source CAD or Rust projects | Worth trying, and the code is readable |
| Wanting AI agents to build parts through MCP | A good fit, as it is a built-in feature |
| A Fusion 360 or FreeCAD user looking for a free option | Test a simple part first, see SolidCraft vs FreeCAD |
| Needing production drawings, CAM or simulation | Wait, or keep your current tool for those jobs |
| Producing work where unsigned installers are not allowed | Wait, or use the browser version |
How to try it with low risk
Open the browser version first, model one real part you already know, and export STEP or STL. If the result matches what you need, install the desktop app from the download guide. Keep your old CAD tool for anything involving drawings or toolpaths until SolidCraft's roadmap catches up.