SolveSpace vs OpenSCAD

Struggling to choose between SolveSpace and OpenSCAD? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

SolveSpace is a Development solution with tags like cad, 3d-modeling, mechanical-design.

It boasts features such as Parametric 2D sketching, 3D solid modeling, Assembly modeling, 2D drawing generation, Boolean operations, Dimensioning and constraints, STEP, IGES, and STL export and pros including Free and open source, Intuitive and easy to use interface, Powerful CAD capabilities, Active development and community support.

On the other hand, OpenSCAD is a Development product tagged with open-source, free, 3d-modeling, cad, scriptbased, programming-language, define-geometry.

Its standout features include Script-based modeling using a C-like programming language, Support for constructive solid geometry, Parametric modeling capabilities, Ability to export 3D models in STL and CSG formats, Customizable user-defined modules and functions, Command line interface and preview window for iterative modeling, Open source and completely free to use, and it shines with pros like Very powerful for programmatic and parametric modeling, No limit on complexity, resolution, or size of models, Full control over the modeling process through scripting, Great for algorithmic modeling and repeating/iterative designs, Actively developed and maintained open source project.

Feature	SolveSpace	OpenSCAD
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

SolveSpace

Description: SolveSpace is a free, open source 2D and 3D CAD software for designing and analyzing mechanical designs and assemblies. It has an intuitive user interface with key features like constraint-based sketching, extruding, dimensioning, sectioning, and visualization.

OpenSCAD

Description: OpenSCAD is an open source, free 3D modeling software used for creating solid 3D CAD models. It is script-based and uses a programming language to define the geometry of models rather than an interactive graphical interface.

Key Features Comparison

SolveSpace Features

• Parametric 2D sketching
• 3D solid modeling
• Assembly modeling
• 2D drawing generation
• Boolean operations
• Dimensioning and constraints
• STEP, IGES, and STL export

OpenSCAD Features

• Script-based modeling using a C-like programming language
• Support for constructive solid geometry
• Parametric modeling capabilities
• Ability to export 3D models in STL and CSG formats
• Customizable user-defined modules and functions
• Command line interface and preview window for iterative modeling
• Open source and completely free to use

Pros & Cons Analysis

SolveSpace

Pros

• Free and open source
• Intuitive and easy to use interface
• Powerful CAD capabilities
• Active development and community support

Cons

• Limited compared to paid CAD options
• Lacks some advanced modeling tools
• Minimal documentation and learning resources

OpenSCAD

Pros

• Very powerful for programmatic and parametric modeling
• No limit on complexity, resolution, or size of models
• Full control over the modeling process through scripting
• Great for algorithmic modeling and repeating/iterative designs
• Actively developed and maintained open source project

Cons

• Steep learning curve for new users
• Text-based interface is not intuitive for graphical modeling
• Lack of interactive direct modeling tools
• More difficult for organic and free-form shapes
• Limited community and resources compared to commercial CAD options

Pricing Comparison

SolveSpace

• Free
• Open Source

OpenSCAD

• Open Source