# Which CAD program?

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

_This page is also available in Dutch: [Welk CAD-programma?](https://vibecad.nl/cad-programs/)_

**Parametric 3D design is my trade**, and AI is the tool that keeps edging in between.
Below are the tools I work in daily, with an honest account of what they are and
are not good at.

## What I am asked for most

 * Setting up a design process in which AI genuinely takes work off your hands
 * Making CAD software steerable through MCP, so agents can sketch, set constraints
   and build features
 * Migrating existing models and libraries without redrawing everything
 * Honest advice on which model suits which task

## Open-source tools I work with

### SolidCraft

[solidcraft.io](https://solidcraft.io/)

 * **What it is:** a modern, fully parametric 3D CAD application written in pure
   Rust. Parametric sketches, constraint solver, feature timeline, assembly support,
   STEP/STL/3MF import and export.
 * **What I do with it:** thanks to the built-in **MCP server**, AI agents can steer
   the software directly: make sketches, apply constraints, build features, change
   parameters. This is exactly where vibecadding starts.
 * **Platform:** desktop (Windows/Linux/macOS), browser (WASM) and a headless CLI.
 * **Licence:** MIT OR Apache-2.0

### FreeCAD

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

 * **What it is:** the most extensive open-source parametric 3D CAD package. PartDesign,
   Sketcher, Arch, Ship, FEM, Path (CAM), TechDraw and more.
 * **What I do with it:** fully scriptable through the **Python API**: every GUI
   action is a Python command. So AI can generate complete models, assemblies and
   technical drawings. Community MCP servers make this directly steerable.
 * **Platform:** Windows, macOS, Linux. A large community, many macros and workbenches.

### OpenSCAD

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

 * **What it is:** script-based 3D CAD: you describe models in code, with no direct
   manipulation. Ideal for parametric designs and generative design.
 * **What I do with it:** **native code-first**. AI writes code by nature, so OpenSCAD
   is its natural habitat. No GUI automation required, the output is a `.scad` file
   that renders to STL/STEP.
 * **Ecosystem:** extensive libraries (BOSL2, NopSCADlib, dotSCAD).
 * **Platform:** Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.

### CADRS

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

 * **What it is:** a parametric, feature-based CAD application in Rust with a Bevy
   UI and the OpenCASCADE kernel. The workflow heads towards Onshape: sketches, 
   constraints, features (extrude, revolve, sweep, loft, fillet, chamfer, shell,
   draft, hole, patterns, booleans), assemblies with mates, technical drawings and
   STEP/IGES/STL.
 * **What I do with it:** the built-in **MCP server** lets AI agents create documents,
   generate sketches, add features and build assemblies. A headless mode for automated
   pipelines.
 * **Status:** early stage, in active development.
 * **Licence:** MIT OR Apache-2.0

### OpenCADStudio

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

 * **What it is:** fast open-source 2D/3D CAD in Rust with native DWG/DXF support(
   R14-2018), a GPU viewport (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.
 * **Platform:** desktop (Windows/Linux/macOS ARM64), browser (WASM).
 * **Licence:** GPL-3.0

## Commercial packages

Where needed I work alongside the commercial packages (Onshape, Fusion 360, SolidWorks,
NX, Creo, Rhino). My advice is independent: if an expensive package is the better
choice for your situation, I say so. What I do see: open tools are often more flexible
for vibecadding, because API and MCP access carries no licence restrictions there.

## Under the surface

Which AI model you use for what, and where the limits sit, is set out separately
on [AI models](https://vibecad.nl/en/ai-models/).

## Get in touch?

Do you want to explore what AI-driven design could mean for your products? Book 
a no-obligation introduction.

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