# 2D CAD

- Link: https://vibecad.nl/en/2d-cad/
- Published: 2026-10-22T18:45:24+02:00
- Author: Marijn van den Heuvel \+ AI

_This page is also available in Dutch: [2D CAD](https://vibecad.nl/vibecad-programs-2d/)._

**2D drawing work stays the basis**: workshop, welding, laser cutting, sheet metal.
AI takes over the repetitive part there too, if you steer the tools well.

## What I am asked for most

 * Generating workshop drawings automatically from a 3D model or a script
 * Setting up DXF/SVG/DWG batches for laser cutting, CNC and sheet metal
 * Parametric profiles and cutting lists that update themselves

## Tools I work with

### OpenCADStudio

[opencadstudio.com](https://www.opencadstudio.com/)

 * **What it is:** open-source 2D/3D CAD in Rust with native DWG/DXF (R14-2018),
   GPU acceleration (wgpu) and STEP/STL export.
 * **What I do with it:** an automation API, **headless conversion** and an **MCP
   endpoint**: AI steers the live editor or runs batch jobs across whole drawing
   sets.
 * **Licence:** GPL-3.0

### FreeCAD (TechDraw)

[freecad.org](https://www.freecad.org/)

 * **Its 2D strength:** the **TechDraw** workbench produces professional technical
   drawings (projections, sections, detail views, dimensions, tolerances, bills 
   of materials) directly from 3D models.
 * **What I do with it:** a full Python API, so AI generates scripts that build 
   the model _and_ fill the drawing automatically. Parametric: change the model 
   and the drawing rebuilds with it.
 * **Export:** SVG, PDF, DXF, DWG.

### OpenSCAD (2D projection)

[openscad.org](https://openscad.org/)

 * **Its 2D strength:** `projection()` takes 2D sections out of 3D models; `dxf_linear_extrude()`
   builds 3D from 2D DXF. Fully scriptable, so 2D drawings are code.
 * **What I do with it:** AI writes `.scad` files that generate parametric 2D profiles(
   gears, sections, plates), exportable straight to DXF/SVG for laser cutting and
   CNC.

### CADRS (drawings)

[github.com/rvdende/cadrs](https://github.com/rvdende/cadrs)

 * **Its 2D strength:** a full **Drawings** module: standard, projection and section
   views, dimensions, annotations, callouts and bill-of-material tables. Exports
   to SVG, PDF and DXF.
 * **What I do with it:** through the built-in MCP server, AI agents make complete
   drawings, place views, automate dimensions and generate bills of materials. Headless
   rendering for CI.
 * **Status:** early development, actively extended.

## Commercial 2D CAD

AutoCAD, BricsCAD and DraftSight come up when a client already works in them, and
then I advise within them rather than against them. For new projects I weigh up 
scriptability and licence costs.

## Get in touch?

Do you want to speed up the drawing work in your workshop or engineering department?
Book a no-obligation introduction.

[Book an introduction →](https://vibecad.nl/en/2d-cad/info@vibecad.nl)